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I enjoyed this book immensely, while at the same time, I found myself disturbed at how real this situation could be. Wasn't there something in the news about a similar scenario recently - Jaycee Dugard? Similar, but not the same.

The author's choice to tell the story from Jack's perspective - to allow a five year old to unveil the story - was smart. It really helps the reader to overcome some of the more uncomfortable aspects of the story by allowing us to feel how not uncomfortable Jack was. For instance: in one part of the story, Ma is chastising someone (reporter? doctor? I can't remember.) about how she couldn't believe the detail they are stuck on is that she was still breastfeeding Jack at the age of five when there were so many other horrible details to be considered. Yet, from Jack's point of view, we already know that he prefers Left over Right, because it's creamier.

I read this story at a good time, considering last month there was all of that drama around the Time magazine cover showing Jamie Lynne Grumet breastfeeding her four year old son. This book sort of puts that into perspective for me.

There were so many elements of this type of scenario that I would never have considered had it not been for this story: Jack's sensitive skin and eyes. Ma's choice to make Outside a make-believe place. Jack's difficulty with pronouns. The story really forced me to think about the consequences of something like this.

Great story! Worth my time!