About This Book
A parent would reach for this book when their middle or high schooler begins asking difficult questions about global justice, the origins of everyday products, or why the world is so unequal. It is a powerful tool for developing empathy and a sense of global citizenship in children who are ready to look behind the curtain of consumerism. The story follows Amadou and his brother Seydou, young boys trapped in forced labor on an Ivory Coast cocoa plantation. Their lives are defined by hunger and fear until a defiant girl named Khadija arrives, sparking a dangerous but necessary quest for freedom. While the subject matter is intense, the book focuses on the fierce bond between siblings and the resilience of the human spirit. It is best suited for mature readers aged 12 and up who are ready to process realistic depictions of modern day slavery and the ethics of the global food industry.
