About This Book
Reach for this book when your teenager is beginning to question the 'expert' perspectives in the world or is grappling with the complexities of how different cultures perceive one another. It is an excellent choice for a child who feels like an outsider or who is developing a critical eye toward social norms and global hierarchies. Alicia, a young woman of the Isabo people in the Amazon, provides a sharp, humorous, and deeply human perspective on two American anthropologists who arrive in her village. Through Alicia's eyes, we see a reversal of the typical 'explorer' narrative: it is the Westerners who are seen as stingy, socially awkward, and confusing. The story explores themes of cultural identity, the value of sharing, and the universal experience of growing up while navigating the expectations of one's community. It is a sophisticated, realistic look at cultural exchange that encourages empathy and critical thinking in readers aged 12 and up.
