Traumatic Beginnings must be Set up

We're told that our goal in writing fiction–YA or any other type–is to MAKE THE READER CARE.
So, I'm exploring two alternate beginnings for my WIP, Cash Lucky. I've had several people suggest that i should start out with a bang. But, is that a good idea?

Someone in my critique group suggested that i flesh out the backstory of the first character in my first pages. Give the reader the scoop. But, I've opted for mystery and a few hints. I like to wonder, "what does that mean?" and will read on to find out. It only takes a few sentences to hook a reader ( if done properly) and That is That.

Mary Kole has something to say about it on her blog entry "For Crying Out Loud". She says that without an emotional investment, even the most kick-butt plot will be wasted. External displays of emotion don't cut it without the build up. You must give the reader a reason to care. Her example is putting a very emotional or traumatic moment in the first chapter, before ’she's had a chance to bond with the character.

Let’s say the book opens with a funeral for the character’s father. They are a wreck, weeping all over the place, inconsolable. You’d think that a funeral scene would automatically elicit strong emotions in the reader, but you’d be wrong.

Check out the entire post on Kidlit:

Mary Kole's For Crying Out Loud