Josie Moraine, the daughter of a brothel prostitute, feels trapped by her parentage. She wants nothing more than to escape New Orleans and the stigma that follows her. In spite of hard work and help from loyal friends, Josie is continually constrained by her ties to her mother and the expectations of society.
Out of the Easy is a fantastic character novel--with many characters that defy stereotypes and make readers love them. It is also an interesting look at New Orleans in the 1950s with rich historical detail. Whether you read for history, storyline, or character development, this book is a great find. The story deals with some sensitive subjects, but remains appropriate for teen readers.
Recommended ages--13 and up