About This Book
Reach for this book when your teenager is navigating the complexities of their own identity or beginning to ask deep questions about social justice, systemic corruption, and the preservation of heritage. This lyrical novel in verse follows sixteen-year-old Lucille in 1930s Haiti as she searches for a missing friend and finds herself caught between the rural traditions of the sacred Mapou trees and the elite, often exclusionary, society of Port-au-Prince. It is a sophisticated exploration of courage, the weight of history, and the power of finding one's voice through art and storytelling. While the story contains elements of a thriller, its heartbeat is the emotional resilience of a young woman determined to define her own future despite the political and social forces working against her. It is an excellent choice for mature teens ready to engage with the darker realities of history while seeking a message of hope and cultural pride.
