PUSH: A Novel by Sapphire. Now A Movie!

Clareece "Precious" Jones is an overweight, illiterate African-American teen in Harlem. Just as she's about to give birth to her second child, Jones is accepted into an alternative school where a teacher helps her find a new path in her life.

Starring Mo'Nique, Paula Patton, Sherri Shepherd, Lenny Kravitz and Mariah Carey, it's directed by Lee Daniels of Monster's Ball fame, and having a little trouble getting distributed at the moment. But word on the street is Oprah and Tyler Perry are helping getting this movie out there and quite rightly so. It deals with what we so commonly sweep under the carpet in the black community. Child abuse, rape and molestation, our girls dealing with serious low self esteem. The lead is played by 24 year old unknown Gabourey Sidibe who takes on the role as the teen mother, who was impregnated by her father. WOAH some serious heavy stuff. But it's real and we need to deal with it people! I'm tired of movies like this being held back because they decide to speak on something so very real.

I read the book YEARS ago, but just placed an order on Waterstones (NOT AMAZON) because the prices are crazy, to add to my collection. It's heralded as a book all black girls should read. And IMO it's up there with cult classics like Sistah Souljah's 'The Coldest Winter Ever.'

It's £7.99 on Waterstones and FREE if you pick it up from your local store. I have no trouble heading to the West End on a lunch break to get mine when it comes in. If you do a search for it it's listed as 'Push: A Novel' by Sapphire.

Most importantly this movie won at the Sundance Film Festival the Grand Jury Award, and more talk is that Mo'Nique's performance was that great she maybe shortlisted for a 2010 Academy Award.

Mariah too has had rave reviews for her role as the social worker in this movie. People need to forget about Glitter when she's starred in several indie movies since then, Wisegirls and Tennessee as well as Lee's Push and done a fine job since. Then again I'm a fan and would have heard of these underground indie flicks of hers where they wouldn't have being pushed to the mainstream forefront.

So if it's showing near you check it out. Pick up the book, or get it on DVD when it's released. It looks very sad but very well acted, with great performances by all.