Andersen Press ISBN 9781783446469 £6.99
This is a reissue of a book published in 2007 called Abela, but if you do not have a copy it is well worth buying. It is the story of two young girls, Abela who lives in Tanzania and Rosa who lives in England. It follows the girls through trauma and tragedy until their stories finally come together. Abela, in particular, has a terrible time as her family die of Aids; she suffers FGM and is then brought to England as an illegal immigrant. Rosa’s mother wants to adopt a child and Rosa has to overcome all the concerns that she has about sharing her mother and her life being turned upside down. This is a truly stunning book but I quite agree with the recommendation that it is for 11+, the very top of our range. Whilst the subject matter is dealt with sympathetically most readers would need some support in understanding and talking about the major issues raised. The emotions that this book raises are strong and I don’t think that it can fail to make people think about what is going on. It is highly recommended as a focal point for discussion and further research. Berlie Doherty has given us a book that soaks into our hearts and is one of those wonderful books that swirl around in your head for a long time.
Margaret Pemberton, School Library Adviser