Review Detail

Ms. Zemser's story of a young, lonely girl in a foreign land is both sad and hopeful. The author weaves a wonderful tapestry of rich colors and words. As you are reading, you almost feel transported to Liberia, where the book takes place. You can almost taste the fresh mango.

This is a story of loss on many levels. Sarina is a twelve-year-old white girl from Boston, who moves to Liberia with her family. By the end of the book, she has experienced many great losses, including that of a mother's love, a father's care and a close friend.

Her mother is severely diabetic and is terrified of losing Sarina. She depends on her daughter in a very unhealthy fashion, which includes tying Sarina to a tree to keep her from leaving the yard. The daughter, in this family, is more like the parent.

Her father is caring, but absent. He refuses to see just how far Sarina's mother has gone down the long, dark road of ill-health. He loves his daughter, but he is blind to what is happening as he concentrates on his own work and needs.

When Sarina meets Boima, a Liberian native, she finds a friend. She has to sneak out to play with him, but finds ways to build their friendship despite the odds. She discovers, for the first time, what friendship means. She also discovers things about herself and her own strengths.

This book has great potential for use in the classroom, though middle readers will also enjoy it on their own. Some of the possible applications in school are with cultural, abuse and friendship/acceptance modules.