White South African writer and apartheid fighter Naidoo (Journey to Jo'burg, 1985) sets her novel in the fictional Stone City, where the population is divided into "Permitteds" and "Nons." It's a dangerous place for Nons: Permitteds can confiscate their homes, and it is easy for Nons to land in jail. Adam, almost thirteen, and his younger sister, Leila, are the musically talented children of Nons. After their father suddenly dies with their mother's required annual paperwork not yet approved (without it she will be deported), Adam decides to take advantage of an upcoming concert to draw attention to their situation. But his energetic and mischievous neighbor Zak tangles with some Permitteds, landing both boys in detention -- a terrifying experience that puts them and their families at risk. A precious violin and diaries in which Adam writes poetry and Leila writes letters play important roles in the outcome. Well-developed characters, weighty themes, and a quick pace, along with evocative use of metaphor (e.g., Adam's mother's "arms hung down at her sides. For a moment he thought of broken wings"), distinguish this substantial novel.

Siblings Adam and Leila grow up as second-class citizens and face prejudice in the Stone City.Twelve-year-old Adam and his 10-year-old sister, Leila, have grown up inside the Stone City. Even though they are Nons-lower-class citizens under the rule of the Permitted-their father's accomplishments have allowed them to get a good education and take music lessons. Things become uncertain when their father unexpectedly dies, especially with their mother's possible deportation. As things in the city get worse for Nons, for example, having their houses taken, Adam and Leila follow the rules and try to go unnoticed. One day, while the siblings are walking home together, their friend Zak pranks some Permitted teen boys, leading them to accuse him of attempted murder. And simply because he gave his friend a farewell hand slap, Adam is implicated in assisting Zak in the fabricated crime and is sent to a detention center. Everything changes for the siblings, and life gets harder, but Adam remembers his father's words about finding his voice and speaking the truth. Naidoo presents an evocative, heartbreaking dystopian story reflective of current and historical prejudices and injustices, addressed in her thoughtful, nuanced author's note. Though the plot is heavy and full of trauma, the racially ambiguous characters use music, stories, and poetry to maintain hope and pursue freedom. Themes of equality, human rights, and justice prompt readers to reflect on how they can improve the world.A timely, powerful, relevant story. (Fiction. 10-14)

Gr 5–7— Twelve-year-old Adam and his sister Leila live in Stone City, a society divided into the ruling class called Permitteds and the lower class called Nons. Despite the disadvantages of being Nons, Adam and Leila enjoy going to school and taking music lessons. When their father dies suddenly, they must worry about their mother losing her permit to stay in Stone City. Then Adam is arrested when he and his friend Zak are falsely accused of attacking a group of Permitted teens. Adam fights to clear his name and save his mother from being displaced. Naidoo creates a dystopian allegory illustrating the divisions existing among societies around the world and the need to stand up for equality and justice. The story is told in present tense from both Adam's and Leila's points of view. Adam's chapters include occasional free verse poems. The character names are a mixture of Israeli and Arabic. While the dystopian worldbuilding is limited and young readers may not connect the classical music references, they will find themselves immersed in Adam's desperate struggle. VERDICT Recommended for students who enjoy books about characters overcoming injustice, such as Aisha Saeed's Amal Unbound and Margaret Peterson Haddix's Among the Hidden .— Maile Steimer