Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

A Ghanaian boy finds himself at the mercy of human traffickers.Junior high student Sena lives with his mother, grandfather, and two younger siblings; Ma left Sena's abusive father behind in the town of Sogakope, settling her family in the village of Tovime. Sena loves spending time with his grandfather and hearing tales about his life. As the oldest child, Sena feels obligated to help with farmwork every morning and make sacrifices for the sake of his family. When a flashy, well-dressed man known as Jack of Diamonds visits the village, many of the boys agree to go with him, lured by the promise of wealth in exchange for work. Sena is hesitant at first, but after more difficulties arise, he also agrees to go. He ends up living in wretched conditions on a small island in a lake. The cruel master he works for uses violence to keep the children he's purchased for his fishing business in line. Sena realizes he'll perish if he doesn't escape. During his journey to freedom, he has run-ins with a mysterious water creature. Wolo skillfully sheds light on the horrific practice of the trafficking of children, and the grim situations many are forced to live and work in-but she also tells a story of hope and perseverance. The vividly described settings include imagery that paints the scenes for readers as the story unfolds.A powerful look at human suffering and the will to survive. (map, author's note) (Fiction. 10-14)

School Library Journal Starred Review (Wed May 01 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

Gr 3–7 —This gripping tale follows Sena, a teenager in Ghana, through three equally compelling adventures. First, Sena transports readers into everyday life in a Ghanaian village, balancing school and work on the family farm with excursions to the river, where his Togbe (grandfather) teaches him family stories and traditional fishing techniques. This section illuminates how the artificial creation of Volta Lake and the Akosombo Dam to provide electricity in cities devastates rural communities. Sena also learns about Mami Wata, a goddess who saved Togbe in childhood. While Togbe is a strong, loving mentor, the boys at school cluster around the flashy but disreputable gangster, Jack of Diamonds, who promises a fast route out of rural poverty. Second, after a family tragedy, Sena decides that he can save his family by finding work through Jack of Diamonds. He ends up a victim of child trafficking when he becomes a fisher boy on Lake Volta. This section is an intense and unsentimental portrayal of modern slavery. Third, Sena's perilous escape leads to a restorative island adventure where his Togbe's teaching becomes key to the boy's survival. The mystery of Mami Wata is also revealed in a manner that is compelling and realistic. The novel makes no false promises, and readers are left with an urgent hope that Sena will be able to complete his journey home and fulfill his new destiny as a guardian of the environment. VERDICT Searing and eye-opening, readers will devour Sena's story in a day.—Katherine Magyarody

Kirkus Reviews

A Ghanaian boy finds himself at the mercy of human traffickers.Junior high student Sena lives with his mother, grandfather, and two younger siblings; Ma left Sena's abusive father behind in the town of Sogakope, settling her family in the village of Tovime. Sena loves spending time with his grandfather and hearing tales about his life. As the oldest child, Sena feels obligated to help with farmwork every morning and make sacrifices for the sake of his family. When a flashy, well-dressed man known as Jack of Diamonds visits the village, many of the boys agree to go with him, lured by the promise of wealth in exchange for work. Sena is hesitant at first, but after more difficulties arise, he also agrees to go. He ends up living in wretched conditions on a small island in a lake. The cruel master he works for uses violence to keep the children he's purchased for his fishing business in line. Sena realizes he'll perish if he doesn't escape. During his journey to freedom, he has run-ins with a mysterious water creature. Wolo skillfully sheds light on the horrific practice of the trafficking of children, and the grim situations many are forced to live and work in-but she also tells a story of hope and perseverance. The vividly described settings include imagery that paints the scenes for readers as the story unfolds.A powerful look at human suffering and the will to survive. (map, author's note) (Fiction. 10-14)