Secrets in the Fire FROM THE PUBLISHER
The powerful story of one girl's indomitable spirit after surviving a land mine in war-ravaged southern Africa.
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 land mine 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.
Real-life land mine victim Sofia Alface is the inspiration for Henning Mankell's stunning novel which puts a very human face on the suffering in Africa.
Key Features: Land mines, an important, high-profile issue A gripping, dramatic page-turner and a story full of hope Readers will relate to the spirited Sofia
FROM THE CRITICS
Children's Literature - Angie Rogers
Sofia Alface is a young girl living in Mozambique who, after losing her father and her village to bandits, loses her sister and both her legs to a land mine. However, instead of giving up hope that she can do something meaningful with her life after these terrible tragedies, Sofia courageously learns to walk again, learns to sew, and leaves such an impression on the people that she meets that by the end of the story, she has her own home and her own sewing business. This story has a tremendous impact on its readers because Sofia Alface is not a fictional character—she is actually a good friend of the author. This novel would be particularly good for middle school students who might be looking for a service-learning project. After reading about Sofia's plight and learning at the end of the book that every thirty seconds another person is killed or maimed by a land mine, students could not help but be moved to raise money for the "Adopt-A-Minefield" program. 2003 (orig. 1995), Annick Press Ltd, Ages 9 to 13.
VOYA - Lucy Schall
In this stark, fact-based narrative supporting the Adopt-A-Minefield program, Sophia, an "indomitable" young refugee of war-torn Mozambique, triumphs over emotional, mental, and physical pain. Sofia's father dies protecting Sofia and her sister, Maria, from bandits. After the attack, Sofia and Maria with their mother and brother walk to a refugee camp where Sofia sees hope and learns to sew. While playing, Sofia stumbles on a mine that kills Maria and takes off Sofia's legs. The camp's priest and a compassionate doctor arrange for new legs. While Sofia is hospitalized in the city, her mother invites an abusive man into their lives. Arriving home, Sofia realizes that she cannot live in her mother's hut, returns to the city, and seeks help from her doctor, who finds her a sewing job. Her elderly village sewing teacher comes to see her skill and offers her his hut and sewing machine. Sofia's mother announces that the abusive man was banished from their village for stealing. Sofia accepts her teacher's offer and builds an independent life. As with First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers (Harper Collins, 2000), 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. VOYA CODES: 4Q 2P M J S (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; For the YA with a special interest in the subject; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12). 2003, AnnickPress, 166p., Ages 11 to 18.
School Library Journal
Gr 6-9-A hard-hitting, eye-opening novel that brings readers face-to-face with the horrors of war. Although a work of fiction, it is based on the real-life experiences of Sofia Alface, a friend of the author. The story takes place in Mozambique, which is in the midst of a civil war (1975-1992). One night, most of the village population, including Sofia's father, are murdered by ax-wielding bandits. Sofia, her sister Maria, her mother, and her brother survive the attack and travel by foot to a faraway village. Just as they seem to be recovering from the trauma, disaster strikes again. Maria and Sofia are playing on a path when Sofia steps on a landmine. In that second, life is altered permanently. Maria dies, and Sofia loses both legs. This is one child's story of survival, strength, determination, and triumph. Through it, readers come to understand what happens to survivors of landmine accidents-physically, psychologically, emotionally, and spiritually. Mankell's language and style are spare, but elicit a deeply emotional response. An appended "Message from Adopt-A-Minefield" gives facts and statistics, as well as the mission of the organization and how readers can help. This outstanding book has been adapted for film, and Sofia's inspirational story is continued in a second book, Playing with Fire, currently published in Australia (Allen & Unwin, 2002).-Mary N. Oluonye, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.
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