Stitched Up by Steve Cole

Kate Heap

Jul 25

Fast fashion is cheap, but somebody has to pay.

Stitched Up by Steve Cole is one of those books that stays with you long after you've finished reading it. An eye-opening glimpse at the reality of fast-fashion, sweat shops and human slavery in the modern world, it will cause readers to think twice about where their clothing comes from, question their choices and want to stand up for for the human rights of those who are forced to create these garments.

Hanh has big dreams for her future but when her family is tricked into selling her into child labour in an illegal clothing factory in Hanoi, everything changes. The reality is unthinkable - little food, limited access to toilets and hygiene, mental and physical abuse, and complete isolation from her family. With no way of knowing if they've realised what has happened to her or if they are looking for her, Hanh and the other girls are trapped.

Precious memories of home and friendships grown out of trauma keep a spark of hope alive. Hanh and the others must decide whether the risk of escape is worth it if they fail. They all dream of a happy ever after yet it seems so far away.

Full of more challenging themes, Stitched Up is perfect for Key Stage Three readers - it bridges the gap between Teen and YA perfectly. Children who are passionate about social justice are sure to devour this book. It would also make an excellent class read for form time or PSHE to prompt discussions about sweatshops and the impact of our shopping habits in the western world.

Created by the brilliant team at Barrington Stoke, this is another fantastically accessible book for all readers. With dyslexia-friendly font, spacing and page tint, it makes this important issue something everyone can read.

Click on the covers below to find out more or purchase on-line from bookshop.org Amazon.