Living in a polgymst cult society, thirteen year old Kyra is relatively happy with her family. She loves all twenty-one children of her father's four wives especially the babies. Kyra reads books and newspapers which are forbidden by her faith. She is only allowed to read from the Bible but she finds creative ways to read other works. Kyra is a curious teenager not a sinner. Soon Kyra finds out she is "The Chosen One' of one of the apostles of the church. Her future husband is her sixty year old uncle who already has 7 wives. Kyra wants to protect her family and yet does not want to marry ":an old man". The book is riveting and hard to put down.

It has been awhile since I have given a book a 5 stars but I just had to for The Chosen One. Kyra's story pulls you right into her life have you will come to care for her so much you just want to march into that compound and beat the crap out of the so called leaders of this community. Despite not feeling well while reading this book I could not stop reading until I got to the end and my heart was actually racing as I waited to find out what would happen to Kyra.

I have seen those TV specials or news coverage about polygamist communities and felt sorry for some of the men and especially women living in those communities but it's nothing like seeing their life through Kyra's eyes. To hear what she is experiencing, what she feels and watch the actions of even those who may disagree with what is going on but who are too scared to do anything about it is heart wrenching. I normally do not like to judge other people's beliefs but I find it hard to believe that a god would condone hold a baby's head down in a bucket of ice water or beating and killing women for disobeying an order to marry their own blood relative. I have read stories about those who have escaped life in these communities but this book also reminds me of all those who are left behind and are too scared, too weak or for other reasons are not able to leave and are forced to live this life against their wishes. I know (or hope) not all community's are like the one portrayed in this story.

"But instead I have a horrible thought.

I see each of my sisters married to the oldest man in the Compound, Brother Nile Anderson. Married to him. He has to be 150 years old. In my head, I can see his spotted hands, yellowed nails, and those fat blue veins that look like they might pop any second. This comes into my mind because of last night. Of course it does. Because that is what our lives are, I realize, holding on to my little sister.

We are here for the men.

I try to make my mind remember the last time there was a marriage of a young man and a young woman. I can't think of any, not any, not for a long time. It seems all the old men are marrying the young girls.

Like my uncle and me."


13-year-old Kyra has been raised in a polygamous community with her three mothers and twenty (soon to be twenty-two) siblings. But she has a number of sins on her conscience, including reading forbidden books (which is all books but the Bible), secret, unchaperoned meetings with a boy, and even idle thoughts of killing their Prophet. This, she believes, is the reason God is punishing her. Her punishment? The Prophet has had a revelation: Kyra is to marry her sixty-year-old uncle, an apostle and a cruel man who already has six wives. And the more she resists, the more violence and persecution comes upon her, her family, and all those she cares about.

Horrifying. Chilling. Brilliant.

There is not a single word wasted or out of place. The prose is as perfect as the concertos that Kyra loves to play on the piano. Carol Lynch Williams opens the door to a dystopia that exists within our own society. With such a huge cast of characters, it seems inevitable that a few will be left two-dimensional--but they aren't. Even when the villians are at their worst, we believe that they think they are the hero of their own story. And because of the loving family Kyra is born into, we are able to see why this kind of society has been able to function, as well as being able to see how things are changing, and why a new regime would cause a sudden onslaught of rebellion. Certain aspects of the novel are absolutely horrifying. For instance, the God Squad, a task force in charge of ensuring that everyone is behaving properly, is as terrifying as the Spanish Inquisition.

Ms. Williams also makes use of symbolism and foreshadowing in poignant ways. For instance, when the Prophet speaks of his revelations and talking with God, he always points upwards--but never towards heaven. He points instead to lightbulbs and ceilings. To me, this is almost an allusion to Shakespeare's famous lines from Hamlet: "My words go up, my thoughts remain below/Words without thoughts never to heaven go." Prophet Childs may believe that he is God's mouthpiece, but we know he isn't, because as Joshua (the boy Kyra is in love with) says, "God would never demand this."

I could go on in this same vein, but I'll stop here and leave the analyzing to the English majors for years to come.

Written in present tense, this gripping story makes you feel as though you are there, watching every moment as it unfolds. And it makes you desperate to get to the next page. I began reading just before getting ready for bed, and I literally had to have my husband read it out loud to me while brushing my teeth, because I couldn't bear to put it down for that long. I had to continue reading until it was finished. These characters get under your skin, into your head, and refuse to let go. Even after I finished the novel, I tossed and turned for hours wondering about what happened next. I know I am one of many that hopes for a sequel.

One word of warning: This is very much a young adult book. It may be short and relatively easy to read, but the emotional impact may be too intense for children. When something is labelled as "young adult" for themes, it usually means it includes of one three things: sex, violence, or bad things happening to good people. I'll say this--it has no sex. But for those that are able to handle this emotional ride, it will be well worth it. Carol Lynch Williams manages to drag us through the depths of hells and yet somehow--somehow--leaves us believing in heaven.

I can well imagine the men who live in polygamous sects in remote places would want this book banned. I, on the other hand, think it should be required reading for women everywhere, especially the girls and women living in those sects. Sadly, they won't get a chance. This book opens with "If I was going to kill the prophet," I say, not even keeping my voice low, "I'd do it in Africa." And with those words, I was hooked. This is supposed to be a young adult book and in fact it only has a couple hundred pages with largish print, but that notwithstanding, this is adult fare. I guess the line between YA and adult fiction has been blurred so much that I can't see the difference.

Thirteen-year-old Kyra grows up in a polygamous community, but she's curious and sneaks out to the mobile library that comes by and reads forbidden books, you know, the kind every other normal kid in America reads. But even knowing about the outside, she's relatively happy with three mothers, twenty siblings and two more on the way. But then the prophet decrees that she's to marry her sixty-three-year-old, six times wedded uncle, who is five decades older than the boy she wants.

So there you have the heart of Kyra's dilemma. This book will make you cry. It'll make you angry. Its characters will be with you long after you finish the story. It's emotional and will make you think and that is what good fiction is all about.

Reviewed by Vesta Irene

Kyra has grown up in an isolated community without questioning the fact that her father has three wives and twenty brothers and sisters, with two more on the way. Kyra is not allowed to read anything but the bible, watch Television, go to the movies, or go on a date. Despite these strict rules, she secretly visits the Ironton County Mobile Library on Wheels or the meeting with Joshua in the middle of the night. This is the boy that she hopes to choose for herself instead of having a man chosen for her. Though her dreams are crushed, when the Prophet decreed that she must marry her sixty year old uncle at only the age of thirteen years old. He already has six other wives. Kyra must decide between a life of violence in the community or a life without her family.
The Chosen One is a one of a kind book. It is gripping, while dealing with a topic that was in the news, recently. From what I know, the polygamous sects were well portrayed. Force Marriages, Striping a man of his wives and children if he didn't follow the leader, and much more is a common feature. Kyra is strong with a lot of heart and independent. It is impossible to forget her story. Her love for her family is touching and authentic. The Chosen One is also a page turner. Williams also made it, very beautifully written. I really hope that you read this.

This book is a very compelling and haunting story of a young girl's struggle to make her own choices regarding who she will love and give her heart to. Kyra is a character that you will embrace from the very first moment you meet her. A year or so ago, there was a lot of public scrutiny in regards to a polygamist community that forced young girls to wed older members. Well, this book takes you right inside and gives you an upclose and very personal look at what some of these groups force their y...more This book is a very compelling and haunting story of a young girl's struggle to make her own choices regarding who she will love and give her heart to. Kyra is a character that you will embrace from the very first moment you meet her. A year or so ago, there was a lot of public scrutiny in regards to a polygamist community that forced young girls to wed older members. Well, this book takes you right inside and gives you an upclose and very personal look at what some of these groups force their young girls to participate in. I was truly appalled at the thought of a 13-year-old girl being "given" to a 60-year-old man, just because the Prophet had a dream about their so-called blessed union. Kyra loves her family and only wants to please her father and mother, but deep down inside she truly knows that their way of life isn't normal. She loved to read and before the new Prophet took over everyone was allowed to have books. But that changed and the one thing that she took refuge in was stripped away from her. She has an intense crush on a teen boy, Joshua, a fellow Chosen One. They share a sweet and special love with each other. A first love that should be treasured but instead it is one they have to hide, because she's been spoken for and even though she's not married, it would be considered adultery. This book disturbed me on so many levels....books being forbidden to read by anyone except the Prophets and Elders.......pedophiles (I truly believe they are) preying on young prepubscent girls.......violence against women and children.....threatening death if the Prophet isn't obeyed.....being controlled and watched......if I was Kyra I would've ran to!! Not everyone in this story is a bad person. Kyra's parents were raised in this atmosphere, but they both sincerely seemed to love their children. They were just too afraid to go against the Prophet. Doing that could mean that the wives and children were given to other men, while her father would've been thrown out of the compound. Kyra also finds a friend and confidante in Patrick, the man who drives the Mobile Library. In the end, Kyra's spirit and determination will have you rooting for her and believing that she will come out of this ordeal as a true survivor. I highly recommend this book to any adult and to young teens 13+.......this would be an excellent book to read for a teen book club or even an adult one for that matter. There is plenty to discuss!!! Here are some passages that caught my attention:

Prophet Childs would never let one of us check out books from a public library.
"We have our beliefs," he's said. "We have our God-given freedoms. And not one is going to take that away by brain-washing us with Satan's teachings."

Prophet Childs, as sharp as my Russian Olive thorns, has preached that a woman who dies pregnant or having babies, is a sinner.

Now Uncle Hyrum looks at me and smiles. He's won and he knows it. "God has given you to me, Kyra Leigh. You will do what He says. What the Prophet says. What I say."

"I take real excellent care of my wives," Uncle Hyrum says when we get to my front porch. He pulls me close to him. His arms are like steel rods. "I'm gentle with the new ones."

My face is bruised, one eye closing shut, both lips busted, split wide-open. I feel that with my tongue.
"The lesson of the kingdom," Uncle Hyrum says. He wipes his hand on a towel that one of the God Squad brought him. "Be glad it isn't worse, Miss Kyra."

This is by far the best book I have had the pleasure to read in a long time. Carol Lynch Williams has always been one of my favorite writers and I think that she has taken the top spot in my heart after reading this book.
I felt that The Chosen One had absolutely no flaws whatsoever. I would catch myself stopping at random moments and just thinking of how real this book felt. I have NEVER been drawn into a story like I have with The Chosen One. You can tell that Williams writes from the heart and puts everything she loves into telling her story. This book is perfect in every aspect.

Carol Lynch Williams deserves to win the Printz, the national book award, the price is right, a dream date with Jude Law, and the title of best writer EVER!

If you like to read amazing books, buy and love The Chosen One.
If by some chance you DON'T like to read amazing books, buy it anyway. It will convert you.
Carol Lynch Williams for the win!

The Chosen One is about a 13 year old girl, Kyra who is part of a polygomist religious group that is "chosen" by the prophet to marry her own 60 year old uncle. Kyra feels as though she is being punished by God for breaking several of his laws such as reading forbidden books and falling in love with a boy, Joshua. Kyra doesn't want to marry her uncle and neither does her father or 3 mothers, but no one can do anything to change the situation. Once the prophet says that he had a vision from God of Kyra marrying her uncle Hyrum there's little anyone can do to help the girl. Joshua tries to convince the prophet to let him choose Kyra as his wife and the prophet has his "God Squad" beat him to a bloody pulp and banished from the community and Kyra is beaten for her relationship with Joshua. Kyra wants to runaway but remembers what happened to other members of the church who tried to runaway or get out of the arranged marriages to older men, they didn't end well. Kyra eventually confides in the driver of the mobile library that she's been visiting, but all does not go well. I won't say anything more about the plot so as not to spoil the story for anyone. The only critical thing I have to say about the Chosen One is that it didn't really get into the goings on of the church that Kyra's family belongs to, we hear bits and pieces of it, but not how it came to be or why they are followers. The story is haunting and disturbing, because situations like this do take place. The reader wants to help Kyra runaway, they want to get she and her family out of there. The book stayed with me for a few days after I was done. The story moved really quick and the last 30 pages or so were suspenseful.

I have always been fascinated by the world of polygamy, not the Muslim type, but the type that stems from innately American religion - Mormonism. "The Chosen One" is the first YA book I came across that was dedicated to this subject.

The book narrates a story of Kyra, a 13-year old girl born and raised in a polygamist compound. Her family is huge, she has 3 mothers and over a dozen of siblings. Kyra's life is quite acceptable in spite of the tough fundamentalist rules that prohibit reading, dancing, or contact with the evil outside world. That is, it is acceptable until she is Chosen to become the 7th wife of her 60-year old uncle. Kyra despises the idea, mostly because she is in love with a boy of her own age. When all attempts to break the engagement fail, the only route left for her is escape.

I have read many books about this subject before, mostly autobiographical accounts. Therefore I can't say this book offers anything new to me. It relies heavily on the shock value of violence against children, but skims over many other dreary aspects of polygamy - the unhappiness of sister wives, who are forced to share a husband but never quite find peace with it or stop competing for his attention; the lack of father's presence in children's lives - how much can you expect from a man who has dozens of offsprings; the poverty and hard work; the burden of carrying and raising numerous children. I missed this in the book.

Nevertheless, this is definitely a memorable book, especially for those who don't know much about polygamy. I found it extremely engaging and I think it will catch attention of many readers.

Since the HBO show "Big Love," I've had a fascination with the fundamentalist sects of the Mormon church. This book is great insight into that world from the eyes of a 14 y.o. girl. Your heart truly breaks for all the agonizing decisions and pain she has to go through. But, it makes the story so much more realistic. There is no perfect ending, the ending feels like real life. Def recommend to any age