Review Detail

Reader reviewed by Brenda

By the author of The Face on the Milk Carton, this is a story about a typical suburban family that takes in a family of African refugees, due to a problem with their church, which was going to sponsor the refugees. The story focuses on the teens in families, Jarad and Mopsy (the Americans) and Mattu and Alake (the Africans). Jarad, being a typical self-absorbed teen, doesnt want to share his room or his life with someone he doesnt know. But Jarad also is the only one who listens to Mr. Crick, the representative from the Refugee Aid Society when he says that theyre not saving the innocent, because&nobody is innocent. Jarad is also the one who notices that theres something funny about the refugees and maybe theyre not who they claim to be. Theres also a 5th refugee, sent elsewhere, who seems to be Up To No Good.

This really isnt a mystery, because were told fairly early what the story is with the 5th refugee and who all the refugees really are. The writing is excellent, and all the characters, down to the wife of the man who embezzles from the church, really come to life.
It feels a bit like the author had some things she wanted to say about Africa and refugees from Africa and she wrapped a plot around those things. Thats not altogether bad, as the things she has to say are valid and important and she never gets preachy. But there was not much suspense in the plot.
If I were to divide up my rating Id give it:
Plotting 2
Writing 4
Characterization - 5