First published 2004
Chanda faces impossible choices when the people closest to her need rescuing. As a teenager carrying adult responsibilities, she must navigate dangerous territory to protect those she cannot bear to lose. The threats are real and immediate. Her family depends on her courage, but the cost of action grows steeper with each decision. Chanda discovers that saving others means confronting harsh realities she has tried to avoid. Her loyalty drives her forward even when fear tells her to retreat. The stakes rise as she realizes that some battles cannot be won through good intentions alone. She must choose between safety and honesty, between protecting herself and protecting others. In a world where truth carries its own dangers, Chanda learns that love requires both fierce determination and the willingness to face what others prefer to hide.
Genres: fiction, literary-fiction, contemporary, adolescence, africa, family-drama
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, social-responsibility
Setting: Africa
Period: Contemporary
200 pages · Paperback · Annick Press
Content warnings: abuse