- 3rd in series, fictional with true elements, set in heart of Africa
- 12-year-old boy carries heavy burden for his grandmother and sick baby sister
- convo: deceit, deaths, breaking the law, not caring for elders and women, girlfriends mentioned (of minor characters), abortion mentioned softly*, mentions drunkenness, promotes vaccines, some animal cruelty
- includes a map and handy glossary
*The exact quote referring to abortion: “…who was known for solving the problem of unwanted pregnancies for school girls. But Rose would not even consider it.”
The sweet relationship between our hero boy and his grandmother is really lovely. He is respectful and kind without giving readers a fake feeling–it’s refreshing. He works hard at various jobs to support her and his sister–he is honest but finds himself trapped in a dishonest scheme by his employers. This adds a lot of complication to his life!
As in many cultures, there is a muddy mixture of Christian truths and other religious views. The grandmother and others sometimes say things that are not biblical, but it is not always clear which is which. This aspect does not detract from the story, but it should be a conversation point.
Kusiima, the main boy, forms a relationship with a good doctor who not only ultimately helps his sister avoid death but also plays a part in reconnecting Kusiima with an estranged relative.
As I have mentioned in other reviews of this series (see below), the author’s writing style is just fantastic. Sophistication is always what comes to mind. It is delightful and with a depth that’s wonderful to read. That said (and I have to mention this because these books are sold by Christian publishers), I do not recommend following her for anything remotely related to theology. Her online activity and reading habits (what I can find) show little discernment.
I do, though, recommend this series as long as you’re comfortable with the conversation points. I have one more book to read and share thoughts on, and then I’ll link them all together!
Review on Book 1: A Chameleon, a Boy, and a Quest
Review on Book 2: A Bird, a Girl, and a Rescue
Review on Book 4: *coming soon*