Secrets in the Fire - Tapa dura

Starred review: This docu-novel will grab readers with the truth of one child's terror and courage. -- Hazel Rochman "Booklist / RBB" (12/15/2003) Starred Review: A hard-hitting, eye-opening novel that brings readers face-to-face with the horrors of war... outstanding book. -- Mary N. Oluonye "School Library Journal" (05/01/2005) [Starred review:] This docu-novel will grab readers with the truth of one child's terror and courage. -- Hazel Rochman "Booklist / RBB" (12/15/2003) [Starred Review:] A hard-hitting, eye-opening novel that brings readers face-to-face with the horrors of war... outstanding book. -- Mary N. Oluonye "School Library Journal" (05/01/2005) [Starred review: ] This docu-novel will grab readers with the truth of one child's terror and courage.--Hazel Rochman"Booklist / RBB" (12/15/2003) Shocking story... It speaks more openly, however, to the landmine issue... compelling enough to hold a high school student's attention.--Lucy Schall"VOYA" (02/01/2004) [Starred review: ] Dramatizes the landmine horror, especially its devastating toll on children... this docu-novel will grab readers with the truth of one child's terror and courage.--Hazel Rochman"Booklist / RBB" (12/15/2003) This shocking story depicts young people facing brutal violence. It speaks more openly, however, to the landmine issue, and its direct statements sometimes undercut horrific details simple enough for a middle school student to understand and compelling enough to hold a high school student's attention.--Lucy Schall"VOYA" (02/01/2004) [Starred Review: ] A hard-hitting, eye-opening novel that brings readers face-to-face with the horrors of war... outstanding book.--Mary N. Oluonye"School Library Journal" (05/01/2005) Suspenseful novel... a dramatic portrait of loyalty and loss, hope and courage that will touch readers of any age.--Sandy Naiman"Toronto Sun" (07/03/2005)

It is the wise old woman of the village who teaches young Sofia about the secrets in the fire. Within the flames hide all things past and all things yet to be. But not even old Muazena can see the horrors the fire holds for Sofia and her family--not the murderous bandits who drive them from their home, and not the landmine that takes Sofia's legs. In her long journey toward recovery, Sofia must still deal with growing up. Along the way, she discovers friends, and foes, in places she'd never expected. Through it all, Sofia draws on a strength she never knew she had, a fire of her own that's been a secret all along. In beautifully spare, unsentimental language, Henning Mankell's stunning novel puts a very human face on the suffering in Africa.