Heart of a Samurai by Margi Preus

 

Heart of a Samurai by Margi Preus

Historical Fiction

Ages 10-12

Grades 5-7

301 pages – hardcover

c. 2010

            Heart of a Samurai is a novel based on the true story of Manjiro, a 14-year-old Japanese fisherman and his four companions whose boat was destroyed in a storm in 1841. They manage to swim to a deserted island and remain there for a long time. At the point of starvation, a whaling ship rescues them and offers to take them to America since Japan is closed to foreigners and natives who have left the islands. Manjiro is curious and eager to learn new things, often asking questions. He quickly learns English and catches the attention of Captain Whitfield, who eventually adopts him and brings him home to Massachusetts. Manjito continues to learn many new things, while also encountering the prejudice of many people. He eventually goes to San Francisco to pan for gold and get enough money to return to Japan. When he does return, he encounters suspicions of being a spy and is imprisoned for quite a while. Eventually he manages to convince the emperor of his innocence and to ease open the boundaries around Japan.

          While there are points of high adventure in the story, especially during the storm that destroys their boat, this is more a novel of historical fiction than an adventure story. The author includes extensive historical notes, a glossary of Japanese words, terms, and places, whaling terms and parts of a ship, and sailor’s lingo. There is also a bibliography and suggested reading as well as illustrations of Manjiro’s pencil drawings.

            The story is told from the perspective of 14-year-old Manjiro, who eventually takes the American name of John Mung. Though only a lowly fisherman Manjiro dreams of one day becoming a samurai, an impossibility in Japan. The five sections of the book begin with a quote from The Book of the Samurai. The quote that best describes Manjiro’s attitude toward life is, "Have your whole heart bent on a single purpose." This is how he approaches surviving life on the island, being a crew member on the whaling ship, dealing with the prejudices and hostility he meets in Massachusetts, the hardships of looking for gold out west and the imprisonments he endures in Japan. In the end Manjiro was united with his family and did achieve the rank of a Samurai. Heart of a Samurai is a 2011 Newbery Honor book.

            

Call of the Wraith by Kevin Sands

Call of the Wraith by Kevin Sands

Historical Fiction, Mystery, Adventure

Age - 11-14

Grade- 6-9

494 pages - hardcover

c. 2018

      

         The Call of the Wraith is the fourth book in the Blackstone Key Adventure Series. The author has indicated that there will be a fifth book and possibly more, but the fifth book is not out yet. In this book Christopher has been shipwrecked and separated from his friends Tom and Sally. He has been taken in by a kindly Devonshire farmer but has lost all his personal memories. He can remember facts but he doesn’t know who he is or anything about his past. He has been seriously ill for thirteen days and the villagers believe he has been possessed by an unseen evil. He regained consciousness only after being visited by the local witch. There are also dark, mysterious things happening in the area. Children have gone missing and the local people believe it is the White Lady, a ghost or wraith from local legend that has returned and is taking the children. A mysterious little girl, who will not speak, has also turned up in the village and is being cared for by the same kind farmer.

            Eventually Christopher is reunited with Tom and Sally, who managed to stay with the ship during the terrible storm which caused Christopher to be thrown overboard. Christopher believes that trying to find the missing children is connected to him receiving his memories. The three friends, together with the mysterious little girl they call Moppet, set out to solve the mystery. They believe that Moppet must have escaped from whoever is taking the children.

            Some dark topics, such as witches and witch trails and missing children, are explored in the book but they are balanced by themes of friendship, loyalty and humor. When Christopher, Tom and Sally are trapped inside an evil tower and Christopher explains his escape plan Tom replies, “The fact that we keep ending up in places where we need gunpowder is not something to be proud of.” There is also a very moving scene where Christopher and Tom are trapped atop a cliff facing an angry and dangerous band of Barbary pirates. Each one knows it is very likely that they will die but neither one is willing to abandon his friend. Moppet and Tom develop a very special friendship. He is the only one she trusts and she literally clings to him for much of the book. Tom, for his part, is extremely loving and gentle with her. He grew up with several little sisters who he loves dearly. Finally, throughout the entire series, there is a continuation of the warm and loving relationship between Master Benedict and Christopher. After Benedict’s death, which happens in the first book, there are times when Christopher is in danger or discouraged and he hears in his mind his master speaking words of guidance or comfort to him.

            There is plenty of action, plot twists and excitement in this book. There are less codes and puzzles to solve but the mystery of the missing children takes a lot careful thinking to unravel. The historic elements of the witch trials and the Barbary pirates are well done and add realism and interest. The Raven, mentioned in book three, is mentioned briefly in the beginning and at the end of the book, but it looks like we will have to wait until book five to find out more about him. Keep reading.

A Night Divided by Jennifer A. Nielsen

 

A Night Divided by Jennifer A. Nielsen

Historical Fiction, Adventure

Age – 10-13

Grade – 5-8

336 pages, hardcover

c. 2015

           A Night Divided, set in Berlin in 1961, is the story of then 8 year- old Gerta and her family waking up to find a barbed wired wall dividing their city. Her father and older brother Dominic are on the other side of the wall and cannot come back. Most of the story occurs four years later when Gerta, now 12, notices her father on the viewing platform of the wall making motions from an old song he used to sing to her involving digging. She concludes that he is asking her and her brother Fritz to tunnel under the wall.

            Attempting to escape Soviet controlled East Germany is extremely dangerous. Her best friend’s brother had tried to escape in the trunk of a car but was found and killed at the border. Now the whole family was under suspicion and being closely watched. Gerta’s mother has not the courage to do this and even her brother Fritz thinks her idea is crazy. However, Gerta is more like her father, who was involved in the resistance, and is determined to try. Eventually her brother joins her in this nearly impossible effort.  

            Nielsen does an excellent job of portraying the fear and resignation of many of the East Germans. Anyone could be a spy and trusting the wrong person could have disastrous results. Gerta and Fritz realize after a while that their apartment is bugged. Because of their father’s past political activity their family is being watched. To make matters worse it is almost time for Fritz to report for mandatory military duty. Tension continues to build throughout the story and since Gerta is the narrator the reader is drawn right into the action.

            This is a story about courage, perseverance, and the will to survive but it also a story of strong family dynamics. Even when they disagree about things, they are fiercely loyal to one another. Their mother is very against any attempt to try and escape to the west but when she realizes what Gerta and Fritz have accomplished she joins wholeheartedly in the effort. When Gerta or Fritz are exhausted, discouraged, or fearful the other one is there to support, encourage or do some of their work. Their love for one another is evident throughout the story and so is their desire to help their friends. In the end their hope, courage, and determination inspire others. In detailing a lesser known period of history, A Night Divided is also a story of true friendship, kindness, generosity, sacrifice, and regrets

Words on Fire by Jennifer A. Nielsen

Words on Fire by Jennifer A. Nielsen

Historical Fiction, Adventure

ages 11-14

grades 6-9

336 pages, hardcover

c. 2019

            Words on Fire is a thought- provoking story about a little- known period in Lithuanian history. Russia occupied Lithuania from 1795-1918. After an uprising in 1863 – 1864 there was a 40-year ban on the Lithuanian language, press and books. This was the Tsar’s attempt to make the people adopt a Russian identity, but the people resisted. Some of the most courageous people were the book smugglers who risked their lives to bring people books in their own language and about their culture.

            This story begins in 1893 when 12-year-old Audra’s peaceful and sheltered life on the family farm is violently disrupted by the arrival of Cossack soldiers who arrest her parents. She barely manages to escape to the forest with a package her mother begged her to bring to a lady in a near-by village. Audra, whose name means storm, has chosen not to learn to read or write and is deeply troubled to learn that both her parents have chosen to risk their lives to smuggle books. She decides to deliver the book but has no plans to become involved in book smuggling. However, as she meets the individual book smugglers and does learn how to read and write, she becomes an enthusiastic, and skillful book smuggler.

            The story is told from Audra’s perspective and it is interesting to watch how her thought processing changes over time. At the beginning of the book she describes herself as “the girl who watched life from afar but rarely participated.” After she has learned to read and begins to understand the importance of the books in preserving the identity and culture of her people, she looks at herself differently. “I’d seen a glimpse of myself as I wished to be, a reflection of who I might become if I allowed courage to enter my heart, or ideas to enter my head…. When I imagined the girl I wanted to be, it was the girl who smuggled books.” This transition requires a lot of painful decisions. She desperately wishes to save her parents from being sent to the labor camps in Siberia and is given the opportunity if she will betray her new friend Lukas to Officer Rusakov.

            Lukas, another young book smuggler, Milda, the woman Audra brings the first book to, and Ben, an older book smuggler, are well drawn, courageous and self-sacrificing characters. Shortly after Lukas meets Audra he tells her a version of a Lithuanian folktale involving a brave girl and an evil snake trying to steal her family farm. While telling the story Lukas comments, “we’re all at risk of becoming the snake one day. The moment we start to choose what’s easy or safe, instead of what’s right, we start to become the snake.” This is the challenge the book smugglers face every day.

            This is a book that illustrates the importance of ideas and ideals and the sacrifices that are often necessary to protect them. It shows the importance of loyalty in friendship and the costly personal sacrifices that are sometimes required to keep them. There is also a moment of humor as Audra uses magic tricks, she learned from her father to trick Cossack soldiers. An inspiring, thought provoking, beautifully written book that I would recommend.

The Player King by Avi

The Player King by Avi

Historical Fiction, Adventure

Age – 9-11

Grades – 4-6

195 pages, hardcover

c. 2017

          The Player King is historical fiction but based on the unusual true event of the orphan kitchen boy, Lambert Simnel, being trained to impersonate the missing Prince Edward, who has a truer claim to the English throne than the reigning King Henry VII. The Earl of Lincoln and Brother Simonds, actual historical persons, are those who train Lambert in order to regain their former positions of power and prestige.

            Lambert works in an underground tavern where his "life was worth no more than a spot of dry spit." When Brother Simonds first tells Lambert that he is Prince Edward Lambert thinks he is crazy. But after being trained in etiquette, given fancy clothes and fine food, he begins to believe that he is Prince Edward. He also begins to enjoy his new position of power to the point of abusing Brother Simonds. He learns, however, "The man who is close enough to help you up is near enough to push you down." Even when Lambert eventually learns that he was chosen because he looks somewhat like the actual Prince Edward, he tries to convince himself that he really is king.

         The story is told from Lambert’s point of view which allows the reader to share Lambert’s experiences as he is transformed from lowly kitchen boy to being crowned King of England in Ireland and leading an army to defeat King Henry VII. The short chapters, plot twists, and political intrigues keeps the action moving. The other characters are well developed and Avi supplies many historical details that give a real feel of the period. In keeping with the period, the language used at times is old-fashioned and younger readers might find that difficult.

         Avi raises many thought-provoking questions about the pursuit of power and to what extent one is willing to go in deceiving others in order to stay alive. Lambert is continually told by Brother Simonds, if you act like a king, you will be king.” In the end is Lambert a traitor or dupe or both?

           The Author Note at the back of the book explains what is known about the characters, the actual historical events and what was made up for the story. What happened to Lambert and the other historical characters is also revealed. The Ascendency Series, which I have blogged on, is a more detailed exploration of the same idea of presenting a royal look-alike to gain political power.

Allies by Alan Gratz

Allies by Alan Gratz

Historical Fiction

age - 11-13

grade 6-8

307 pages, hardcover

c. 2019

            An action- packed account of the Allied invasion of Normandy, June 6, 1944, D-Day, told from multiple points of view. Starting before dawn and ending after midnight you meet many different “allies.” Private Dee Carpenter, a 16 year- old Germany immigrant who lied about his age to enlist. Sid, a 17 year- old Jewish GI who becomes Dee’s friend until he finds out Dee is German. Samira Zidane, an 11 year-old girl and her mother Kenza who are French Algerians working with the French resistance. Canadians James McKay, 19 and Lance Corporal Sam Tremblay, a Cree Indian, who are part of the 1^st Canadian Parachute Battalion. Private Bill Richards, 19, who is a tank driver and part of the Royal Dragoons from England. Corporal Henry Allen, a 20 year-old African American medic in the 320^th Barrage Balloon Battalion. Monique Marchand, a 13 year-old French girl who came to the beach just before the attack started to retrieve her bathing suit from the day before. Lastly, Dorothy Powel, an American journalist for Collier’s Magazine sent to write about the invasion. Not all survive the day, but each contribute something to the ultimate victory.

            Gratz combines real history with fictional characters in a believable way. He is writing about a horrific experience, but he does so in an age appropriate way. There are scenes of the carnage of war, bombs exploding, men being shot down but also acts of heroism and kindness, loyalty and friendship. Allies is also more than just a war story as Gratz explores issues of racial prejudice against African Americans and Native Americans and stereotypes of women. Equally thought provoking is the tension that develops between Dee and Sid when Sid realizes that Dee is German.

            The Author’s Note at the back of the book is filled with interesting historical information as to what really happened regarding the various Operations mentioned in the book, Operation Neptune, the American landing on Omaha beach, Operation Tortoise, the French Resistance effort, and Operation Tonga, the dropping of paratroopers. Gratz explains that he made up several operation names to identify several unnamed events that really happened.  Operation Amiens, the use of Sherman tanks that float, Operation Integration, the unit of African American soldiers, and Operation Bathing Suit. There really was a young French student nurse who came to get her bathing suit and stayed to help wounded soldiers.

           

Mark of the Plague by Kevin Sands

Mark of the Plague by Kevin Sands

Historical Fiction, Mystery, Adventure

Age - 11-14

Grade - 6-9

529 pages, hardcover

c. 2016

     The opening line of The Mark of the Plague, the second book in The Blackthorn Mystery Series is Tom saying to Christopher, his best friend, “This is a bad idea.” It is a comment Tom often makes and many times he is correct. Christopher is proudly showing Tom his latest invention, Blackthorn’s Smoke-Your-Home, designed to prevent the plague and bring Christopher some much needed income. It does succeed in filling the shop with a thick, sweet-smelling haze but it also left a big black scorch mark on the wall and set Harry, the stuffed hedgehog, on fire.

            Christopher is still mourning the death of his master, Benedict Blackthorn, and the plague has hit London very hard. A strange prophet, who wears a bird’s head mask, has come to London with the ability to predict who will die from the plague. An unknown apothecary has also come who claims to have a cure for the plague. Christopher is given a letter from his master by a friend. The letter reveals that Master Benedict has left him a treasure but to find it he must follow many cryptic clues. The letter say, in part, “Somewhere in our house is a prize, hidden for you. Treasure. Understanding your nature, you probably haven’t found it yet….You won’t find it until you realize something incredibly important. Our home is yours. Use everything you have been given. Recognize exactly what this is…Solve this one last riddle, and you’ll not only find your treasure, you’ll learn one last thing - and that is the most important thing I’ll ever want you to know.” The riddle is, “The young bird finds its treasure when it settles in its place, hidden, deep, beneath its feet; don’t let it go to waste.” Christopher spends most of the book trying to solve the riddle and it is his faithful friend Tom who eventually helps him to do it.

            Sands based this story on actual events and included the Bills of Mortality, which listed the number of people who had died each week. The Great Plague of London would ultimately kill one in five of the city’s residents. The humorous dialogue between characters, especially between Christopher and Tom, makes a nice balance from the dark events described in the book. Interesting new characters are introduced, both good and evil. One of these characters, Sally, continues to be a major character in the following two books. As with the previous book there is much action, narrow escapes and many plot twists. I highly recommend this book.

The Blackthorn Key by Kevin Sands

The Blackthorn Key by Kevin Sands

Historical Fiction, Adventure

Age 11-14

Grade 6-9

371 pages, hardcover

c. 2015

          Picture the opening scene of The Blackstone Key. Christopher Rowe, apprentice apothecary to Master Benedict Blackstone, and his best friend Tom decide to build cannon in the shop while the master is out. It is illegal for an apprentice to make gun powder but Christopher has just decoded this recipe of his master. Things don’t go as expected and upon returning to the shop Master Blackthorn is looking at his large stuffed black bear which has been shot in the crotch, his straw guts spilling out.

      Although the book starts out with a humorous tone the story quickly turns serious. Apothecaeies are being murdered after being tortured. There is a secret cult that is looking for a recipe that will give them unearthly power and after Master Benedict is murdered Christopher realizes his own life is in danger. It is unclear who the real enemies are. Christopher must rely on his ability to decode mysterious puzzles his master has left him and the undying loyalty of his friend Tom to stay alive long enough to uncover who is behind the brutal murders.

            Set in London in the 1650’s this is a book of rich historical detail and well developed characters. Christopher is fearless when it comes to trying anything. This makes him a good apothecary and also gets him into a lot of trouble. But his courage and daring also helps him track down the people who killed his beloved master. When faced with a decision of great consequence his moral code helps him make a good choice. Master Blackthorn is a kind, generous master, unlike most others of the time. He is a lover of knowledge and truth and has a burning desire to help and heal others. Tom shows an amazing loyalty to his friend Christopher and reminds me of Sam’s relationship to Frodo in The Lord of the Rings. There is much action, adventure, mystery, science, history and humor. The codes and puzzles that Christopher must solve involve astronomy, botany and especially chemistry. It is possible for the reader to solve these puzzles as the narrative provides the codes to uncover the mystery before you turn the page.

                There is a fair amount of violence in the descriptions of the murders and assaults that take place but they are appropriate for the time period. The actual murders happen off scene. There is also much sound wisdom offered in the book. One of the first lessons Master Blackthorn teaches Christopher is that some of the ingredients they use in small doses can heal and in larger doses can kill. He says, “It is never the tool that decides. It's the hands-and the heart-of the one who wields it.” Lord Ashcombe, the King’s Warden, remarks to 

Christopher about the way he tricked the leader of the cult, “You used his nature against him.”

            While I still like The Ascendancy Series very much, see blog posts May 5, July 4, Aug 1,  The Blackstone Mystery Series is now my favorite book series. There are three additional books in the series. Watch for future blogs.

Revealed by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Revealed by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Science Fiction, Adventure, Historical Fiction

Age - 10-13

Grade  -6-8

438 pages, hardcover

c. 2014

Revealed is the seventh book in The Missing Series. In many ways it is the most complex and confusing book in terms of how the time travel elements are presented. It is also different from the other books in the series because there is no missing child from history to rescue and Jonah is on his own to solve the various problems that come up. His sister, Katherine, has been kidnapped by Charles Lindbergh and turned into a baby. All the other missing children from history have disappeared and all the adults in the area, including Jonah’s parents and JB and Angela, have been turned into young teenagers.

As the title suggests there is much that is revealed in this book, including Jonah’s real identity. However, since that would be such a big spoiler I will not mention it in this review. Gary and Hodge, the original time kidnappers, are responsible for all the problems Jonah is forced to deal with and this time the problems they have created with time seem to be beyond his ability to repair. Jonah is faced with the very real possibility that he will lose all those he loves and his own life as well. When, at a critical moment, he asks the Elucidator for help he is told that getting any help depends on the next decision he needs to make.

Much of the action revolves around the 1932 kidnapping of the son of Charles Lindbergh and his determination to find his son. As usual, Haddix provides much historical background in the author’s note at the back of the book. Lindbergh himself is an interesting and complex character. Though some of his actions and thoughts are fictional they reveal his development as a character. As the author notes reveal Lindbergh was not willing to stop the search for his son for some time. He managed to finally accept his death and go on with his life.  For a time he worked with the Ford Motor Company in connection with one of their factories that was building bombers. From there he became a test pilot, a test subject for extreme conditions for pilots, and a fighter-pilot instructor. In the novel he comments to Jonah, “I have learned that even with time travel, some things just are. They can’t be changed or undone or fixed. But people, people can heal. Even from events they believe ate unendurable.”

A major part of the book is the character development of Jonah himself. He has been maturing throughout the series but in this book he has attained a new level of self-sacrificing love. He is no longer impulsive or careless in his actions and decisions. He has learned that little actions can have great consequences, how tiny moments of helping one person can save many. So when everything seems lost he decides there is still one thing he can fix, one thing he can do before he dies. There is one thing that would be perfect and right and good, even as everything else is wrong.

There are many things I didn’t mention in this review but I encourage you to read the book. There are parts about time that are confusing but there is much that is inspiring and the plot twists and adventure are all there. There is one more book in the series. Jonah’s adventures and trials aren’t over yet.

Risked by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Risked by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Science Fiction, Adventure, Historical Fiction

Age - 10-13

Grade 6-8

350 pages, hardcover

c. 2013

     Risked, the 6^th book in The Missing Series, departs from the other books in that we now know what happened to Anastasia and Alexei Romanov, the missing children from history. However, when Haddix started writing the series in early 2007 there was still no conclusive evidence that they had been killed along with the rest of the family. New discoveries in the summer of 2007 and 2009 confirmed that they did die in 1918 with the rest of the family, but were buried in a different spot. However, this is a work of fiction which allows the author to imagine some intriguing possibilities.

            Very shortly after meeting Daniella, who is really Anastasia, Jonas, Katherine, and Chip are kidnapped by Gavin, who is really Alexei. Gavin is working for the original time kidnappers, Gary and Hodge, who have just escaped from time prison. Gavin thinks he is bringing them all into the future where he will be adopted by a family, as promised by Gary and Hodge. However they all land in Russia in 1918. While traveling to the future Jonas manages to tell the Elucidator, device from the future, to send then back to their correct time. He means the 21th century but the correct time for Anastasia and Alexei is 1918, the day before the entire Romanov family will be killed.

            After landing in 1918 Gavin and Daniella are captured by the Russian guards and returned to the house where the rest of the family is being kept as prisoners. Using the Elucidator Chip, Jonas and Katherine are able to become invisible. They begin to plan how they will rescue not only Daniella and Gavin but the entire family. The rescue plan is extremely complicated and made more challenging by the unexpected arrival of Gary and Hodge who still want to take all the children to the future as babies to be adopted by wealthy parents. During the following battles both Jonas and Gavin, who is a hemophilic, are wounded. Meanwhile, time travelers from the future are having a meeting about how to deal with the Romanov situation and protect time and history.

            Haddix does change some of the actual historic events in the end of the story so that some members of the Romanov family are saved as well as Jonas, Katherine and Chip. In the process of the rescue there is much heroic and self- sacrificing action as well as quick thinking. Haddix also includes many historical details in the story, such as the stuffed grizzly bear on the landing of the house and the diamonds the Romanov sisters sewed into their clothes, as well as the historical notes at the end of the book.

Shadow Spinner by Susan Fletcher

Shadow Spinner by Susan Fletcher

Legendary Character – Shahrazad, Retelling of 101 Arabian Nights, Historical Fiction 

     Age 10-13

Grades 5-8

224 pages

c. 1999

Shadow Spinner, sent in Ancient Persia, is a retelling of the story of Shahrazad and 101 Arabian Nights. The main character is Marjan, a poor crippled orphan, living with her Aunt and Uncle. She is an accomplished storyteller herself and gets drawn into the life and drama of the harem when Shahrazad’s sister overhears her telling a story to the children of the harem while her Aunt is there selling jewelry. Shahrazad is running out of stories to tell the Sultan and the story Marjan is telling is a new one.

There are many twists and turns in the plot, especially when the Sultan recognizes Marjan’s story and wants to hear the end of it. Marjan doesn’t know how the story ends and attempts a dangerous escape from the harem to find the end of the story.

The characters, even the minor ones, are well drawn and multidimensional. Marjan grows in self-awareness through the story and experiences emotional healing as she comes to terms with the anger she feels toward her mother for the actions she took to prevent herself and Marjan from being forced to marry the Sultan and be killed.

This is a story about the power of story and there are many stories contained within it. Shahrazad exhibits a lot of psychology in the stories she tells the Sultan to help him get over the betrayal he experienced from his first wife. She explains to Marjan saying, “Marjan. I have told him tales of good women and bad women, strong women and weak women, shy women and bold women, clever women and stupid women, honest women and women who betray. I'm hoping that, by living inside their skins while he hears their stories, he'll understand over time that women are not all this way or that way. I'm hoping he'll look at women as he does at men--that you must judge each of us on her own merits, and not condemn us or exalt us only because we belong to a particular sex.” 

 It is also a story about the strength of women, about the power of love, of forgiveness, of adventure and taking risks. The tips for storytelling at the start of each chapter are also good tips for life. 

Refugee by Alan Gratz

Refugee by Alan Gratz

Historical Fiction, Adventure, Immigration, Survival Story, Young Adult

 Age 11-13

 Grade - 6^th – 8^th grade

    357 pages

c. 2017

Three families, from different time periods, are fleeing their country of origin. All are experiencing many obstacles in finding a safe place to live that will welcome them. Josef is a Jewish boy living in 1930 Nazi Germany. Isabel is a Cuban girl in 1994 seeking to leave the riots and unrest in Castro’s Cuba. Mahmoud is a Syrian boy in 2015 trying to escape the violence and destruction caused by the civil war in his country.

In the end of the story there are shocking connections that tie all their stories together.

There are hard things that happen in the story, death, sacrifice, loss but also love, determination, and courage. This book puts a personal face on the current discussions about immigration. It would be a great book for discussions.