I just finished reading ONE SHADOW ON THE WALL by Leah Henderson.
For those of you who’ve not yet heard of it, here’s the description:
An orphaned boy in contemporary Senegal must decide between doing what is right and what is easy as he struggles to keep a promise he made to his dying father in this captivating debut novel laced with magical realism.
Eleven-year-old Mor was used to hearing his father’s voice, even if no one else could since his father’s death. It was comforting. It was also a reminder that Mor had made a promise to his father before he passed: keep your sisters safe. Keep the family together. But almost as soon as they are orphaned, that promise seems impossible to keep. With an aunt from the big city ready to separate him and his sisters as soon as she arrives, and a gang of boys from a nearby village wanting everything he has—including his spirit—Mor is tested in ways he never imagined. With only the hot summer months to prove himself, Mor must face a choice. Does he listen to his father and keep his heart true, but risk breaking his promise through failure? Or is it easier to just join the Danka Boys, whom in all their maliciousness are at least loyal to their own?
One Shadow on the Wall is about love and loss, family and friendship, and creating your own future—even if it’s hard to do.
This book reminded me of the power of books to take us to places we’ve never been and show us characters whose lives are different, and yet ultimately similar, to our own.
Beautifully written by Leah Henderson, the story is at times heartbreaking, scary, heartwarming, and inspirational. And a page-turner.
It casts a light on a culture and place in the world not often represented in books, especially children’s books.
And it belongs in every school and public library, so as many children as possible can benefit from its themes of family, tenacity, and joy, and are able to learn more about the wonderful (and at times heartbreaking) culture of Senegal.
I can’t recommend this book enough. It is a must-read in 2017! If you want to read my Goodreads review, click here.
