Abela
The Girl Who Saw Lions
Published on 5. June 2008
Book
Paperback/Softback
240 pages
978-1-84270-725-8 (ISBN)
Description
"Be strong, my Abela."
These are the last words of Abela's mother in their HIV/Aids stricken African village, where it seems that to live or to die, to be sick or to be healthy, is just a matter of chance. It takes all Abela's strength to survive her Uncle Thomas's scheming to get to Europe, but what will be her fate as an illegal immigrant?
"I don't want a sister or brother," thinks Rosa in England, when her mother tells her that she wants to adopt a child. Could these two girls ever become sisters? Is there room in Rosa's family for an African orphan haunted by lions? Is there room in their hearts?
Abela is a powerful and moving story influenced by a visit to Africa, from the Carnegie Medal-winning author Berlie Doherty writing at her very best.
These are the last words of Abela's mother in their HIV/Aids stricken African village, where it seems that to live or to die, to be sick or to be healthy, is just a matter of chance. It takes all Abela's strength to survive her Uncle Thomas's scheming to get to Europe, but what will be her fate as an illegal immigrant?
"I don't want a sister or brother," thinks Rosa in England, when her mother tells her that she wants to adopt a child. Could these two girls ever become sisters? Is there room in Rosa's family for an African orphan haunted by lions? Is there room in their hearts?
Abela is a powerful and moving story influenced by a visit to Africa, from the Carnegie Medal-winning author Berlie Doherty writing at her very best.
Reviews / Votes
An involving, moving and, above all, relevant novel that ought to be in every school library in the land and put into the hands of as many children as possible. -- Adele Geras * Guardian * Excellent . . . what could be an unbearably sad tale is made compulsively readable by a writer of grace and skill. -- Nicholas Tucker * Independent * A very moving book and highly recommended. * Birmingham Post * The strength of the story is the author's empathy with all her characters, and her skill in engaging the reader with their feelings * Books for Keeps * Well-written, with very real characters, this latest Doherty title is a heart-breaking yet ultimately hopeful examination of HIV/Aids, child trafficking and adoption. (SEASON HIGHLIGHT) * The Bookseller *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Target group
Children/juvenile
Interest Age: From 12 to 17 years
Product notice
Paperback (UK-B)
Dimensions
Height: 198 mm
Width: 129 mm
Thickness: 16 mm
Weight
197 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-84270-725-8 (9781842707258)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
09/2012
1st Edition
Andersen Digital
€5.49
Available for download
Person
Berlie Doherty was born in Liverpool and writes for adults and children. Her first book, HOW GREEN YOU ARE! was published in 1982 and she has been a full-time, compulsive writer of novels, stories, poems and plays since then. She has written over forty books. In 2002 Berlie Doherty was awarded an honorary doctorate at the University of Derby for excellence in her field. She lives in Edale in the Peak District, where she spends her spare time walking, day-dreaming, and struggling to learn piano, violin and tin whistle.