Gillian Lee-Fong-Farris

Every reader knows the joy of stumbling across an unfamiliar author or title and being surprised by how enjoyable the work is.

I recently received an advance reader copy of a first-time author. I approached it with a bit of hesitation as it wasn't one that I had requested or knew anything about. Too often the books that I receive unsolicited are so far outside my interest area or are so poorly put together that reading becomes a chore.

Thankfully, this book was a wonderful, entertaining, and educational read. The book was Tembe by Gillian Lee-Fong-Farris.

Tembe is a short, young adult novel that tells the story of a boy becoming a man. He belongs to a group of people in Jamaica who are all either escaped slaves or descendents of escaped slaves. Their lives and traditions are a meld of many cultures and are centered around staying hidden and free.

Lee-Fong-Farris writes with a charm that makes the book engrossing. While the coming-of-age story is an old theme, she sets it in a culture about which little has been written.

It comes out in September by Absey & Co. Press. It's a book I would easily recommend to any teacher or school-age child. For that matter, it's a pleasant read for any adult who is looking for something quick.

posted by Book Help Web Editorial Team at 8:36 AM |