This was such a wonderful story of strength and courage between the most interesting of friends. The characters were so engaging. I highly recommend this book for teens and young adults. There were so many beautiful moments. I especially felt connected to this story because of the theme of loss, specifically of a parent. The ending was absolutely perfect- not too contrived or predictable.  It also showed me a sliver of what horrors children and families experiencing the civil war in the Republic of Congo faced, and how refugees struggled to survive.

​This moment when Baz remembers something his mother taught him was incredible; she remained kind and giving even when she herself had lost almost everything. This lesson Baz carried with him, which influenced the character he wanted to be, and is.

​This was an amazing, practical, and insightful resource containing a wealth of research-based information on how to raise an empathetic child. Here are some of my most notable takeaways:

1. We must help children develop a sense of moral identity and build up their moral courage.
2. ​"Books can be portals to understanding other worlds and other views, to helping our children be more open to differences and cultivate new perspectives.” Use them to increase your child's/students' social-hub.
3. Create sacred unplugged times for the entire family! Increase your face-to-face communication.
4. “Depositing prosocial images in our children's identity banks so they can define themselves as caring, responsible people who value other people’s thoughts and feelings is the basis of moral identity.”
   
5. To combat peer pressure, use the acronym REFUSE:

• R- review who you are
• E- express your belief
• F- firm voice
• U- use strong posture
• S- say no and don’t give in
• E- exit​

Purchase the book via Amazon