Room by Emma Donoghue

This book is told through the eyes of Jack, a precocious 5-year-old boy. He's oddly smart for his age, because his mother has read him books and taught him mathematics. She's made sure he received plenty of nourishment and exercise to be a healthy child. The catch is, Jack has never been outside of the room, a room roughly the size of my studio apartment. He knows nothing of the outside world and has never interacted with anyone besides his mother. Through his eyes the room is almost a magical place, transformed by his mother into many different environments and full of creative activities. But as you read further you begin to realize that this is not the case. They are kept in this room by a man who kidnapped Jack's mother, and has been holding her against her will for seven years. Yes, do the math, but shhh Jack doesn't know, he's five. This book tackles many interesting issues about child development both psychological and physiological. Also, being loosely based on a true story makes you think about the people that have faced a similar imprisonment or are currently enduring one. This book will likewise hold you captive, you will not want to put it down.

Room @ Amazon.com