Storytimers’ Thoughts on Dance For Me
Storytimers are readers who have left reviews for the stories. While I have never met them and don’t know the names of many, Storytimers’ opinions matter deeply. They are proof dreams come true. This story has over 2,000 reviews between Amazon US, Amazon UK, Goodreads and other platforms. Below is a sample.
I’ve also provided links to other reviews / press for the story, and you can jump to different sections here:
Five Star Reviews
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Reviewed on Amazon US, December 2013 from “Michael J. Tucker, Author”
A Fictional Portrayal of What Is Happening Right Now
Dance For Me
By Tiffini Johnson
The story of Maelea is a fictional account of an 11 year-old Cambodian girl and her poverty stricken family living along a remote region of the Mekong River. It opens with her letter to her father, Eu. It has been two years since Maelea left her home and the letter rings of happy memories.
The novel then moves to Maelea telling the story of the horror she has lived during that two-year period. She takes us into her family’s life in a thatched hut with bamboo-woven mats for a floor, and hanging blankets are the only room dividers. And it is where the life of subsistence farmers depends on the whims of the Mekong, and where a meal consists of a spoonful of rice for three people. It is a place where hunger leads to worry, and “worry steals things,” things like sleep and fun. To bring joy, Maelea will dance like a dervish, whirling with arms in the air until she falls to the floor exhausted, to the cheers and laughter of her sister, mother, and father.
Maelea’s life takes a change when her sister, Srey, comes down with Dengue fever. It will require a doctor to save her and that will require money, money the family does not have. To save his youngest daughter, Eu’s oldest daughter must become an indentured servant. In Cambodia, for a young girl, that means a sex slave.
She is told she will be taken to a school, and for Maelea, the word means paradise. Upon arriving in Phnom Penh she is thrown into a dark underground dungeon and soon learns disobedience results in extreme pain. But her most hurtful experience is the realization that she has been sold and is now “waiting to be picked like her father picks sheep.”
Author Tiffini Johnson raises the curtain on the horror and brutality to children forced into brothels. While her words are delicate and compassionate and the scenes not explicit, it is very clear what is happening to Maelea at the hands of brutal men who pay for an hour to use her. But the real brutality rests with the brothel owners, for whom torture is a means of control and a way of life.
This is an important book. While the character, Maelea, is fictional, the scenes portrayed are real for hundreds of thousands of girls and boys throughout the world. We tend to think this is a problem of third world countries, but we would be fooling ourselves. It occurs, but is well hidden, in developed countries as well. How many weeks go by without a news account of an arrest in your city for child abuse or child pornography? Ms. Johnson’s novel is but one soldier in the crusade to end the nightmare.
The novel contains a Book Club Guide that offers the reader thought provoking questions appropriate for group discussion.
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Reviewed on Amazon UK, August 2014 from “PBRGN”
Will stay with me forever..
Very sad with no fairytale ending. I don’t know why I was drawn to this book but glad I was. Opened my eyes to the secret tragedies that are going on every day in our world. Beautifully written, with words that took me to a different world, so truly, that I feel I have met this girl and heard her story from her. This read will stay with me forever. No child should be born to suffer. Set far away but perhaps is also closer than we think. Let us all keep our eyes and ears open.
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Reviewed on Amazon UK, November 2014 from “gloria quinn”
… read this book it was very truthful and very sad, i could not stop reading it once i …
I read this book it was very truthful and very sad, i could not stop reading it once I started.
I have recommended this book to my daughter.
It is such a truthful account of where an 11year old young girl was trafficked and children do not lie, I can say it must have been so hard for Tiffini Johnson to write about what this young girl went through, you would not let any animal go through, it was so so sad, but she wrote it well and definitely worth reading this true account of what really does go on in the world to our young children not only here in England but also abroad it is so sad and I.m sure readers will feel the same but it definetly opens your eyes.
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Reviewed on Amazon UK, July 2014 from “BillieRaz”
Chilling & thought provoking!
The author has penned a main character in this story that has a strong spirit but by the end that strong spirit is somewhat broken. You go on the same journey as this central character and you feel the suffering that this young girl endures. I was reduced to tears at the terrible things that happen along the way. This book is a brilliant and striking account which gives understanding to the awful trade of trafficking.
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Reviewed on Amazon UK, June 2015 from “E. Hull”
Harrowing and sad.
Although this is not the story of a single real child, as so many of these type of books are, it is a harrowing account of the type of of life many children undergo and all the dreadful things that happen to Maelea do indeed happen.
I hesitate to say I liked the story – how can you read it without crying for the exploitation by men of vulnerable children ? However, it is extremely well written, and the tragic tale of Maelea simply lives on the pages. I simply don’t understand how there can be so many men with perverted sexual needs that these sort of places are ‘required’.
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Reviewed on Amazon UK, November 2021 from “Emma”
Gripping read
Gripping read, informative engaging, lively dialogue.
Harrowing story that exposes the lives of some children.
Detailed description throughout the dialogue
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Reviewed on Amazon UK, June 2017 from “Amazon Customer”
Very sad story and what brave children they were
Very sad story and what brave children they were. Really hold my hat off to all the individuals that have not only gone through all the pain and trauma of the abuse etc, but to live it all agin in your book is such a brave thing to do. However if you have stopped one individual from being abused by telling your story that’s got to be amazing. I am so proud of you for being so strong and for sharing your unbelievable experience.
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Reviewed on Amazon UK, November 2014 from “Chrissy”
Horrific
This is the most horrific story of child abuse I have ever read, so very very sad and disturbing, it is behond me that humans can behave in this way. It is well written and you feel when reading it you are there with the children in that dark and horrible place. It made me cry at times especially when you realise that this sort of thing is happening every day and nothing is done to stop it. This story will stay with me for a very long time.
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Reviewed on Amazon UK, February 2020 from “sweetums”
Hard to read
This book upset me very much it also made me extremely angry how could these things happen in this day and age, but its done its job its made me think and talk about child slavery and abuse, hard to read but makes u think probably too much
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Reviewed on Amazon UK, June 2014 from “mummer’s player”
Frightening
An emotional roller coaster. It is hard to believe that such poverty and wickedness exist. But we know that they do. I was relieved that the author closed the story in the way that she did. The book carries a warning against it’s reading by any but the emotionally strong and I would endorse this. The story is well told and conveys atmosphere, which the reader can ‘taste’. It is riveting but cannot be described as enjoyable.
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Reviewed on Amazon UK, August 2014 from “Michelle”
A very sad story
This is a book I couldn’t put down. It is so sad what happened to this poor girl, no child should have to through that and now her life is ruined be cause she will never be the same again all she can do is hold on to the first memories she has which is her family. If only I could give her a hug now. I hope she now has a home
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Reviewed on Amazon UK, February 2015 from “michelle walker”
My heart broke
This was a gut wrenching tale of despair. I think I went through a whole box of tissues and the term “supply and demand”seems so relevant. Children should be children and enjoy being children, not have to endure the suffering inflicted on them by monsters who prey. I hope there is a hell !
Thank you for writing !!
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Reviewed on Amazon UK, May 2014 from “dc61”
First class
Well written, provocative and emotional. We know it goes on but this book really brought it home to me. Man’s inhumanity to man sickens me. How anyone can treat a child, let alone anyone else, like this is just appalling. The abortion made me cry. Shocking and powerful. Something has to be done about this dreadful behaviour.
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Reviewed on Amazon UK, January 2016 from “zoe”
The saddest tale you will ever read
So fantastically written, tells the story of a very young girl, sold unknowingly into the sex trafficking trade. And what this child goes through is utterly heart breaking. And although she finally gets away from the monsters keeping her, it isn’t the ending you hope for. Well worth the read.
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Reviewed on Amazon UK, October 2014 from “ambitioust2428”
haunting
The way this book is written I felt I was Maelea. I went through every torturous event with her. Her torture was haunting. It still is. All I can say is it has opened my mind to child sex trafficking and the horrors it involves. Which I feel was this authors intention.
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Reviewed on Amazon UK, May 2015 from “Dave Duckshoot”
For trafficked people their is death and living death
I don’t know if I would risk death to escape a living death of abuse and torture. I think I would but I am an adult not a child. I wish I could help these children escape, but it needs more than legislation. Dance for me is a thought provoking book I recommend it.
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Reviewed on Amazon UK, May 2016 from “mandi c….”
Such a brave young lady.
I read this remarkable story in one evening.what is so upsetting is knowing this is not a one off story.it is happening in every country.it’s so tragic that not all children are seen and treated as precious gifts rather than precious commodities to abuse,ruin to make a profit.
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Reviewed on Amazon UK, January 2015 from “Allegretto”
Horrific
This is a well written book but left me deeply disturbed. It is unbelievable that anyone could treat such young and innocent girls so appallingly just through greed and financial gain. The ending was inconclusive and maybe a future account of what happened to this young girl may be available. It’s a must read.
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Reviewed on Amazon UK, April 2016 from “Helen Corner”
Gripping read
This book was truly heartbreaker, shocking and in some parts disturbing- I thought about not finishing it after some chapters but like the author said by not reading the book is turning a blind eye to the suffering which exists. This book will stay with me forever.
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Reviewed on Amazon UK, May 2014 from “mickeymcc1”
Trafficking
This book is emotionally draining as we all know children are abused and tortured all over the world, we see it on the news, but actually reading this book your imagination takes you on the journey of Maelea and by the end of the story life just isn’t the same.
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Reviewed on Amazon UK, May 2014 from “rona payne”
Heart wrenching.
This was one of the hardest books I have ever read. I can’t believe that such awful things still happen to young girls and boys. I don’t think I will ever forget this story. This is a must read book for everyone, I can’t recommend it enough
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Reviewed on Amazon UK, November 2018 from “G Baker”
Harrowing Story
It’s horrendous to think that this kind of thing happens. The poor girls who get dragged into this. The main character was very brave in the end.
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Reviewed on Amazon UK, December 2019 from “Marion Harper”
Heartbreaking story
Cried at some parts, what a truly amazing person is Mylea I hope she is doing well. God bless her.
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Reviewed on Amazon UK, February 2015 from “Joanne Robertson”
Very heart retching story
Really interesting and heart retching story. Details are quite graphic but it enables you to at least try and put an image in your head. In order to really feel the lives these children had…………or should that say the existence they endured
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Reviewed on Amazon UK, September 2018 from “Julia”
Gripping story
Short story that was gripping from the beginning to the end. These stories capture my heart. Its still shocking how evil human beings can be.
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Reviewed on Amazon UK, May 2015 from “nicola edwards”
Heartbreaking
I feel sad and numb. I know this story doesn’t have the fairy tale happy ending but there will never be a happy ending for Meala.
She will never be free mentally she has changed beyond recognition….This story is tragic.
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Reviewed on Amazon UK, September 2016 from “Kindle Customer”
A truly tragic story
This book will tear at the heartstings of any one who reads it and be thankfull they are not in the same situation as the poor girls in this book
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Reviewed on Amazon UK, July 2015 from “Lady t”
Very good reading, true to life certainly opens your heart …
Very good reading ,true to life certainly opens your heart and mind to what actually happens right here in our homeland.
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Reviewed on Amazon UK, June 2014 from “Catwoman”
A very sobering and thought provoking story.
Heart wrenching story that is unbelievable horrific. Simply told without too much detail Makes you realise how some children suffer.
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Reviewed on Amazon UK, March 2015 from “Linda Jones”
Excellent book .
Well written . I had to keep reading . Grabbed my attention from page one. I will be looking for more books by this author .
Four Star Reviews
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Reviewed on Amazon UK, June 2014 from “olivia oreilly”
Heart wrenching
This is such an honest and heartbreaking book about the horror of child sex slavery. What a brave girl to relive her nightmares in order to publicise what is still happening. Her story should never be forgotten.
Truly amazing.
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Reviewed on Amazon UK, January 2017 from “ken cobb”
Dance for me
I expected an erotic read but found a tale of torture,degredation, and loss of all hope.Maelea is11 yo and is sold by her parents to a brothel in Cambodia where she is given a target of 60 clients a night.rebelion is dealt with by the use of an electric cattle prod and at least one night in the dark dank basement. She is kept with other little girls all living in squalor and half starved.The amazing fact is that after 2 years and 30,000 to 40,000 rapes she refuses a medical rape exam as it would be too invasive!!! Cambodian girls must be extremely forgiving and submissive. This book will open your eyes to the evil cruelty that exists in the 3rd world.
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Reviewed on Amazon UK, July 2014 from “Biba”
Very sad and disturbing
Very sad and disturbing,how these people sleep at night or look at themselves in a mirror is beyond comprehension.It makes you think of your own children or any child being treated this way.unforgivable they want stringing up.I just wanted to go and find her and take care of her, make her feel safe and loved.The fact that these things are happening right now to children gives me nightmares.We all are aware of this abuse but seeing it written down is heartbreaking.
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Reviewed on Amazon UK, April 2014 from “magi012”
Read !
Well written. Very emotional book. I couldn’t put it down but found myself appalled at the content. I know this happens but every time I read something about this issue never fail to be appalled that anyone could treat another human being, let alone a vulnerable child, in such a callous brutal inhuman manner. Laws need to be tightened and consequences severe. Man’s inhumanity to Man……
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Reviewed on Amazon UK, February 2018 from “Nina”
A must read
A powerful and emotional book, beautifully written. I am usually a slow reader but read this in three sittings. Highly recommended
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Reviewed on Amazon UK, January 2017 from “john yeates”
Disturbing account of modern slavery
Very graphic read of how depraved and uncaring man can be.would of liked a bit more closure and how she got to write the book feel
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Reviewed on Amazon UK, January 2015 from “Sheilablack”
an amazing and emotional book
I love this girl in the book I will never forget her.its unbelievable what some one so young can survive ,but changed forever
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Reviewed on Amazon UK, November 2014 from “62Tom”
Felt so sorry for the little girl
The experiences of the girl were well written and the story flowed very well. The harsh treatment of the young girl is unforgivable, it is unsettling that people can be so inhumane.
Although an excellent book, there was a downside as I felt that it lacked a satisfactory conclusion.
Tiffini Johnson 