Say You're one of Them by Uwem Akpan

While researching my list of FIFA reading suggestions, I  received a comment from Amy at Amy Reads, who was hosting a Nigerian mini reading challenge.  That lead to me finding this book at my library.  After reading it, I am very glad that they have a great book selection committee.

This book is comprised of 5 stories of various lengths.  They all deal with children trying to grown up in Africa and some of the horrors they are being exposed to.  Like children everywhere, they deserve a safe place to live and grow.  With numerous civil wars and "ethnic cleansings" they have been exposed to and threatened with things that no child should every have to deal with.

Mr. Akpan has presented the stories of these children in such a way that while the attrocities are clear, he has also shown compassion and even hope.

I really can't do justice to this book without telling you in detail of each story, which would then go on for pages and pages..  I highly recommend that you get a copy of this book and read these stories for yourself.   I had heard of some of the things that were happening,  yet I really never stopped for long to think of how they would affect the children involved.  Now I look at my children and say many words of thanks that they wake up every morning safe.

I will be looking for further books by Uwem Akpan.

Author Uwem Akpan's website.

2009 Winner of the Hurston Wright Legacy Award.
Shortlisted for the 2009 Commonwealth Writers' Prize for Best First Book.

This is my 12th book for the Read, Remember, Recommend challenge sponsored by Bibliobabe.com.