Womb Child, by Alethea Pascascio

These are questions worth thinking about: What if Martin Luther King Jr. had not been born or allowed the vicissitudes of life to overtake him? What about Ben Franklin? What about Mother Theresa? What about the person you call your best friend? What about...you? Would anyone know the difference?

Chapter one begins with Israel, the fetus, voicing to us his thoughts as he begins life in the womb: "It all happened so fast. One minute I was listening to the final instructions for my journey then the next thing I knew I was competing against millions for a chance at life. Since I was already predestined to win, I'm not even sure why the others showed up. But now that I reflect on it, I know exactly why they were there. They, the multitude of sperm that raced against me, were similar to the type of people you see everyday..."

We see the reaction of Israel throughout his nine months journey inside his mother's womb, as he witnesses his mother and father, Mr. and Mrs. Donald Tillman's joyful reaction to the pregnancy. Israel voices his opinion when he hears them discussing aborting him shortly after Donald Tillman lost his job and we see the turmoil Israel is in as Carrie Tillman makes the trip to the abortion clinic. Will this be the end of Israel? Will he be able to fulfill his destiny?

Womb Child is written in simple everyday language and that is what captures and keeps your attention down to its final pages. I recommend this book for every female of childbearing age.