Say You're One of Them [B0007]

2008 HCDJ 1st edition. Each story in this jubilantly acclaimed collection pays testament to the wisdom and resilience of children, even in the face of the most agonizing circumstances. A family living in a makeshift shanty in urban Kenya scurries to find gifts of any kind for the impending Christmas holiday. A Rwandan girl relates her family's struggles to maintain a facade of normalcy amid unspeakable acts. A young brother and sister cope with their uncle's attempt to sell them into slavery. Aboard a bus filled with refugees-a microcosm of today's Africa-a Muslim boy summons his faith to bear a treacherous ride across Nigeria. Through the eyes of childhood friends the emotional toll of religious conflict in Ethiopia becomes viscerally clear. Uwem Akpan's debut signals the arrival of a breathtakingly talented writer who gives a matter-of-fact reality to the most extreme circumstances in stories that are nothing short of transcendent.

From Amazon/GoodReads reviews: "This book really sets itself apart from a lot of what's out there these days. While many novels focus on emotions and romance, this one dives into some pretty tough themes that might be uncomfortable for some, but that's what makes it powerful. Coming from one of the countries mentioned in the book, I can say that these stories aren't just exaggerated tales meant to pull at your heartstrings. They reflect the real thoughts and experiences of many kids in Africa. Sure, Africa has its challenges, but there's so much more to our stories. This book gives you a raw look into those realities and helps you understand the diverse lives people lead on the continent."; "These stories are an odd mix of the terribly tragic and the matter-of-fact. Using the voices of children and teens, Akpan highlights the utter barbarism of the adult world in much of Africa. Using this point of view, Akpan shows how incomprehensible the violence between the tribes and religions is. His use of the local jargon is difficult at times and made me wish he had included a glossary of terms."