Synopses & Reviews
Thirteen-year-old Kyra has grown up in an isolated community without questioning the fact that her father has three wives and she has twenty brothers and sisters, with two more on the way. That is, without questioning them much---if you don't count her secret visits to the Mobile Library on Wheels to read forbidden books, or her meetings with Joshua, the boy she hopes to choose for herself instead of having a man chosen for her.
But when the Prophet decrees that she must marry her sixty-year-old uncle---who already has six wives---Kyra must make a desperate choice in the face of violence and her own fears of losing her family forever. Carol Lynch Williams, a four-time winner of the Utah Original Writing Competition and the winner of Nebraska's Golden Sower Award and the PEN/Phyllis Naylor Working Writer Fellowship, grew up in Florida but now lives in Utah with her husband and seven children. She has an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults, and helped develop the conference on Writing and Illustrating for Young Readers at Brigham Young University. An American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults Nominee
A YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers List NomineeRecommended by The New England Children's Booksellers Association
Thirteen year-old Kyra has grown up in an isolated polygamous community without questioning her father's three wives and her twenty brothers and sisters. But she has started to wonder if her life could be different. Determined to follow her heart, Kyra secretly visits the Mobile Library on Wheels to read forbidden books. At night, she meets with a boy, one she hopes to choose for herself instead of having a man chosen for her. But the Prophet decrees that Kyra must marry her own uncle, a 60-year-old man who already has six wives. Though she faces danger and is afraid she will lose her family, Kyra must make a desperate choice before her future is decided by the sect.Intensely gripping and grippingly intense . . . Kyra's terrible dilemma--escaping her fate means betraying her family--is heartbreakingly real, and the final scenes are riveting and suspenseful.--Kirkus Reviews Intensely gripping and grippingly intense . . . Kyra's terrible dilemma--escaping her fate means betraying her family--is heartbreakingly real, and the final scenes are riveting and suspenseful.--Kirkus Reviews
This is a heart pounder, and readers will be held, especially as the danger escalates. Williams' portrayals of the family are sharp, but what's most interesting about this book is how the yearnings and fears of a character so far from what most YAs know will still seem familiar and close.--Ilene Cooper, Booklist
This book will shock and anger you, and most importantly, freak you out because it is based on a real-life story. The book quickly moves from peaceful moments on the compound to fast-paced action as Kyra learns about the very dark side of The Chosen Ones. This book is thought provoking and compelling and you will be frantically flipping the pages until you discover Kyra's fate.--Justine Magazine
I believed the characters and found Kyra's inner struggles very authentic . . . Even secondary characters emerge as real as they engage with Kyra and each other. The conflicts are vivid and well delineated--and pretty scary and timely. But it also respects the close and loving connections that clearly draw the people of faith together. Writing about religion in books for teens is the final frontier and I'm glad she tackled the topic--and with a strong story that will get kids thinking and talking.--Sylvia M. Vardell, Ph.D., Professor, School of Library & Information Studies, Texas Woman's University and author of Children's Literature in Action: A Librarian's Guide
In powerful, understated prose, Williams writes a compelling view of a dark and disturbing world where the leader of a polygamous sect can simultaneously preach good and practice evil. But its real power comes from seeing this walled-off world through the eyes of thirteen-year-old Kyra Carlson, who desperately wants to be good yet realizes that the demand for heavenly obedience is only a mask for earthly control. No one can get inside the head and heart of a 13-year-old girl better than Carol Lynch Williams, and I mean no one. Kyra is a complex and completely believable mix of loving daughter, devoted big sister, boy-smitten teenager, terrified bride-to-be (within weeks she will be given to her 60-year-old uncle as his seventh wife), and reluctant heroine who shows there is always hope. Knowing her is worth the whole trip.--James S. Jacobs, Professor of Children's Literature, Brigham Young University and co-author of Children's Literature, Briefly
In the Compound, in the belly of the Temple, God has revealed to the Prophet Child that 14 year-old Kyra is to wed her father's older brother, Uncle Hyrum. She will be his seventh wife in the Lord. This leads to rebellion as Kyra loves Joshua. What is marriage without love or trust? The Chosen One is a modern day 'Romeo and Juliet' set in the religious compound controlled by the Prophet Child. Choices have to be made, but at what sacrifice? A compelling novel filled with family loyalty, love, tragedy, drama and adventure.--Terry Young, West Jefferson High School, Harvey, Louisiana
A chilling and thought-provoking story about what happens when religion turns 'evil' and the 'good' is in those who try to escape it. This is Kyra's story. Let her into your heart. You will never forget her.--Pat Scales, Director of Library Services, the South Carolina Governor's School for Arts and Humanities; and President, Association for Library Service to Children
Carol Lynch Williams' chilling novel of life in a polygamous sect is both harrowing in its unsparing realism and hopeful in its reaffirmation of the power that books and reading have to change and redeem lives at risk. An important book, sure to provok
Review
“Powerful and heartbreaking.” --Meg Cabot
“The Chosen One makes the heart race, the teeth grind, and the brow bead up in sweat.” --Gregory Maguire, author of Wicked
“Absolutely riveting . . . a wonderful book.” --Cynthia Kadohata, author of Kira-Kira
“Truly thought-provoking, heartfelt, and just a plain old good read.” --An Na, author of A Step from Heaven
“Extraordinary . . . brave . . . a masterpiece.” --Kathi Appelt, author of The Underneath
“Beautiful, compassionate, and full of hope.” --Sara Zarr, author of Story of a Girl
Review
“Powerful and heartbreaking.” --Meg Cabot
“The Chosen One makes the heart race, the teeth grind, and the brow bead up in sweat.” --Gregory Maguire, author of Wicked
“Absolutely riveting . . . a wonderful book.” --Cynthia Kadohata, author of Kira-Kira
“Truly thought-provoking, heartfelt, and just a plain old good read.” --An Na, author of A Step from Heaven
“Extraordinary . . . brave . . . a masterpiece.” --Kathi Appelt, author of The Underneath
“Beautiful, compassionate, and full of hope.” --Sara Zarr, author of Story of a Girl
"Writing young adult fiction is a tricky endeavor, for the reader walks a fine line between juvenile and adult worlds. A successful book of this genre must tread ever so carefully on the line that separates interesting and evocative from inappropriate. It must provoke thought without being overly explicit. No easy feat when the subject matter is polygamy. The Chosen One serves as a fine example of handling such a difficult issue deftly ... Kyra's story is not easily forgotten and offers up ancillary topics such as the importance of libraries, the subjugation of women and the dangers of extremist fundamentalism, to name just a few." --BJ Hegedus, BookBrowse.com
Synopsis
Carol Lynch Willams' The Chosen One is a dazzling novel about a young teenager's rebellion from the polygamist cult that would have her become the seventh wife to her 60-year-old uncle
Thirteen-year-old Kyra has grown up in an isolated community without questioning the fact that her father has three wives and she has twenty brothers and sisters, with two more on the way. That is, without questioning them much---if you don't count her secret visits to the Mobile Library on Wheels to read forbidden books, or her meetings with Joshua, the boy she hopes to choose for herself instead of having a man chosen for her.
But when the Prophet decrees that she must marry her sixty-year-old uncle---who already has six wives---Kyra must make a desperate choice in the face of violence and her own fears of losing her family forever.
Synopsis
Williams' chilling novel of life in a polygamous sect is both harrowing in its unsparing realism and hopeful in its reaffirmation of the power that books and reading have to change and redeem lives at risk.--"Booklist."
Synopsis
Thirteen-year-old Kyra has grown up in an isolated community without questioning the fact that her father has three wives and she has twenty brothers and sisters. That is, without questioning it much—if you dont count her visits to the Ironton County Mobile Library on Wheels to read forbidden books, or her secret meetings with Joshua, the boy she hopes to choose for herself instead of having a man chosen for her. But when the Prophet decrees that Kyra must marry her sixty-year-old uncle—who already has six wives—she must make a desperate choice in the face of violence and her own fears of losing her family forever.
Synopsis
Williams strikes just the right balance between informative and cautionary in this gripping tale about a 13-year-old trapped in a polygamist cult.--"Publishers Weekly," starred review.
About the Author
Carol Lynch Williams is the author of young adult novels including Miles from Ordinary. The Chosen One was named one of 2010 ALA's "Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers" and "Best Books for Young Adult Readers." It also won the Whitney and the Association of Mormon Letters awards for the best young adult fiction of the year, as well as numerous other honors. Williams was the winner of the 2009 PEN/Phyllis Naylor Working Writer Fellowship. She grew up in Florida and now lives in Utah.
Reading Group Guide
1. In some ways, a polygamist family is very different from most American families, yet in other ways,
very similar. How is Kyras family different from your family? How are they the same? Were you surprised by these similarities?
2. Discuss the differences and similarities between a religion and a cult. What specific events in the book identify The Chosen as a cult?
3. What is the role of power—and the lack of power—among The Chosen? How do these differ for men? Women? Children? Teens? How are the adults in Kyras life victims, and how are they aggressors?
4. There are stories of escapes and attempted escapes from both before and after the current “Prophet” comes to power. Indeed, one of Kyras mothers indicates that she attempted to run away. Others, like Kyras own parents, never seem to seriously consider leaving. Why do you think people would choose to stay in this community?
5. When Joshua says, “The girls are for all th older men,” what are the practical implications? Why are boys allowed—or forced—to leave? Why are the girls who attempt to escape chased down and brought back?
6. When Kyra, her sisters, and mothers travel to town, they are subjected to curious and rude stares and whispers. Have you ever felt the way Kyra feels during this trip? How does this trip affect Kyras view of herself, her family, and The Chosen?
7. Patrick, the librarian, knows he takes a risk in bringing books to Kyra. Do you think he fully understands those risks? Do you think he realizes his life might be in danger when he
decides to help Kyra escape from the Compound in the mobile library?
8. How does Patrick provide both the practical means and some of the emotional strength Kyra needs in order to make her escape? In what ways does Kyras family enable her to make her final escape? How does the knowledge that her family will be punished for her leaving both hinder and help her escape?
9. What do you think of Kyras decision to leave? While she obviously finds herself in an extreme
situation, does her dilemma remind you of any difficult or complex choice you have had to make? How did you ultimately decide?
10. What do you think life will be like for Kyra outside The Chosen—both in the beginning and
years later? Do you think she finds Joshua? Does she go to college? Does she ever see her family again? What sort of future do you imagine for her?