I Cried to Dream Again

Trafficking, Murder, and Deliverance -- A Memoir

By: Sara Kruzan, Cori Thomas

Narrated by: January LaVoy

There is perhaps no crime more disturbing than the abuse of a child—and no court cases as upsetting as those in which juveniles who have faced abuse are tried for fighting back. In this gripping memoir Sara Kruzan, a survivor of childhood abuse and sex trafficking, tells the honest, disturbing, and ultimately empowering story of her journey from abuse to incarceration without parole for killing her abuser to finally gaining her liberation.

"As someone who has worked with trafficking survivors in the developing world, I am struck by how vividly Kruzan’s memoir shows us how easily these same atrocities take place, barely noticed, beneath the sophisticated veneer of life in the U.S. A brilliant and illuminating read."—Leymah Gbowee, 2011 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and author of Mighty Be Our Powers

Sara is currently an advocate for the rights of incarcerated women and children, and the inspiration behind Sara’s Law, a bill currently in the House of Representative seeking to protect children of abuse from facing life sentences.


"I was eleven when I first met GG. I realized later that he had to have been aware of the chaos that was my life because he played me perfectly. I was walking home after school ... I heard a red Mustang purring like a huge lion behind me as I turned onto my block. When it caught up with me, a man leaned out of the window and motioned for me to come closer. 'Hey, excuse me,' he said. I approached the window and politely and cheerfully replied, ‘Yes?’ He said, 'I’ve been noticing you a lot, and I just want to talk to you. I’m gonna go get some ice cream and go to the park. I would love for you to come and join me. We won’t be gone long. Is that okay with you?' Ice cream! I found his offer irresistible. GG leaned over and opened the passenger door, 'What’s your name? People call me GG.' 'Sara,' I said shyly.'"—from I Cried to Dream Again

Critic reviews

"As someone who has worked with trafficking survivors in the developing world, I am struck by how vividly Kruzan’s memoir shows us how easily these same atrocities take place, barely noticed, beneath the sophisticated veneer of life in the U.S. A brilliant and illuminating read."—Leymah Gbowee, 2011 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and author of Mighty Be Our Powers

"I Cried to Dream Again is a must-read for anyone interested not only in the injustice of Juvenile Life Without Parole sentence but also in the strength of the human spirit. Kruzan’s memoir grips you from its first intense pages and keeps you there through the twists and turns of her rollercoaster story."—Ian Manuel, author of My Time Will Come

"What’s so striking about Sara Kruzan’s devastating story is how thoroughly the adults in her young life failed her. Kruzan, together with the acclaimed playwright Cori Thomas, brings you into the world of trafficking from the child victim’s standpoint and provides astonishing insight into the much-misunderstood sex trade in America."—Laura Day, author of Practical Intuition

"What is perhaps most extraordinary about Sara Kruzan’s memoir is its demonstration that a human being who has undergone the most horrendous trauma at an unimaginably young age can still evoke the child within her: to transform her prison cell into an afternoon at the ice-skating rink, or a day at the beach—and to bring her incarcerated friends on the joyride with her. I Cried to Dream Again is a vital account of hard truths, a battle cry for justice, and an anthem to hope."—Kia Corthron, author of Moon and the Mars and The Castle Cross the Magnet Carter, winner of the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize

“A testament to both the capricious nature of the American criminal justice system and the power of hope, Kruzan’s book, co-written by Thomas, is a harrowing and eye-opening account . . . A must-read for parents, civil servants, and activists.”—Kirkus Reviews (starred)

Beautiful, Powerful

This isn't a true crime or sensationalist shock story. It's a powerful memoir about one of the many ways young, black and brown girls fall into sex trafficking right here in America. I wish more stories were treated like this.

Her story is one of survival and grace and the co-writer's prose is beautifully constructed but never overwrought or flowery. High recommend

From the Ashes, She Rose!

This was a very good book, worth the read. I verified how every adult in this woman’s life failed her in every way! Nobody of authority looked beyond the obvious to see how she was damaged and hurt. Shame on the court system to have allowed more abuse of her as a teen. My heart hurts for what she went through, and I pray the rest of her and her daughters life is Blessed.

So Wonderful!

It was well written, so sincere, so honest. Bless you Sara! It’s amazing the strength we find as women or females young and old! Enjoy your daughter, make her strong and know those around you will give you that strength. You have a great circle, enjoy this journey.

Powerful and Courageous

Thank you Sara for your vulnerability and strength in sharing your very important and impactful story. Welcome home!

Wow. Hope

Thank you for having the courage to share. I hope you continue to dream. Thanks!