Bookverdict.com

Gr 6-Up When the Finches take in a church-sponsored refugee family from war-torn Sierra Leone, teenage Jared is annoyed that he has to share his room with Mattu, who is his age. Sixth-grader Mopsy, however, is thrilled to embrace Alake and wants to turn her into a "best" friend. Alake doesn't talk, barely eats, and is plagued by nightmares. Meanwhile, Kara Finch takes the Amabo parents under her wing, teaching them about conveniences such as microwaves. The family bri...Log In or Sign Up to Read More

Cooney bases her latest page-turner on highly topical subject matter: African civil war and "blood diamonds." A suburban Connecticut household takes in a family of battle-scarred African refugees—Andre, the father, has lost his hands—not knowing that Victor, a cold-blooded killer, is hot on their trail. In fact, the "Amabo family" are not who they claim to be, but four desperate individuals who have banded together to escape a terr...Log In or Sign Up to Read More

This satisfying thriller introduces with compassion the complex issues of African civil war and violence. A suburban Connecticut househol...Log In or Sign Up to Read More