Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Nine Days by Fred Hiatt –ADVISABLE

Hiatt, Fred Nine Days 256 pgs. Delacorte Books for Young Readers, 2013. $13.48.  Content: Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: PG ; Violence: PG.
When Ti-Anna’s Dad, who is a part of the Chinese democracy movement, goes missing on a trip to China, her friend Ethan wants to help. Together they travel to Hong Kong to try to pick up his trail. There are a couple of problems with this, first, they must keep their travel a secret since they are underage, and second –the search is going to be more dangerous than they can guess.
This was a really great read, best of all –it was inspired by a true story! It has fast-paced action, world adventure, believable characters, and best of all –some world lessons about Chinese democracy as well as the modern day slave trade. Although it’s a boy and girl traveling together, there is no romance. The only mature content is the inclusion of the sex industry as tied to slave trade, with no specifics. I think students will be so caught up in the action they won’t even realize they are learning something about the world!

MS, HS -ADVISABLE Reviewer: Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author.

No comments: