Combining magical realism and fable, this lyrical tale is the story of a landscape and community destroyed by Western greed.
From the internationally bestselling author of the high fantasy series The Books of Pellinor comes a powerful story about the exploitation of indigenous people by the First World. Endorsed by Amnesty International as contributing to a better understanding of human rights, this poetic coming-of-age story combines magical realism and fable, and features beautiful black-and-white chapter illustrations. Simbala's village has two treasures: the River, their road and their god; and the Book, their history, their oracle and their soul. Simbala is a Keeper of the Book, the latest in a long line of women who can use it to find answers to the villagers' questions. As developers begin to poison the River on which the villagers rely, the Book predicts change. But this does not come in the form that they expect; it is the sympathetic foreigner who comes to the village who inflicts the greatest damage of all.
An award-winning poet, playwright, and author of the fantasy series The Books of Pellinor.
This lyrical tale is the story of a landscape and community destroyed by Western greediness.
The Bookseller Children's Buyer's Guide
This is a powerful and moving story about the exploitation of indigenous people by the First World.
Parents in Touch
The book is a slim one and yet manages to encompass Simbala's journey beautifully. […]I recommend this book for teachers who wish to teach their students about the deeper issues of exploitation and disparate power among people. I recommend this book also for people looking for an unforgettable tale about a strong woman who takes what courage she has and forges a path of her own, meeting different people and learning to think beyond her horizons. Strongly recommended.
The Book Wars blog