One Shadow on the Wall

June 19, 2017
Life in Mor’s Senegalese village gets increasingly difficult after the 11-year-old and his two sisters are orphaned and threatened with separation. When their home is raided by the Danka Boys, Mor debates joining the gang, which offers food and security. Through tight, polished sentences and a smattering of regional vocabulary, debut novelist Henderson believably evokes the harsh realities of the impoverished seaside village and the resilience of its residents. The storytelling, though, can get bogged down amid a languid pace and lengthy sections of exposition; Henderson’s penchant for brevity at the sentence level isn’t reflected in the work as a whole. But Mor’s indomitable spirit, love for his family, and refusal to give up make him a fascinating and well-rounded protagonist, even if “he was still just a boy in his baay’s sandals.” And although the disembodied voice of Mor’s father offers guidance from beyond the grave, it’s an unlikely friendship with an outcast that provides a flesh-and-blood father figure to teach and watch over the boy. Ages 8–12. Agent: Melissa Nasson, Rubin Pfeffer Content.

May 15, 2017
Mor, an 11-year-old Senegalese boy, faces many obstacles as he tries to keep his family together after his parents die. Mor is grieving his father's recent death when he begins hearing his father's voice and seeing his dead mother. At first he is distressed, but eventually the visions and voices become sources of strength and comfort. Mor is determined to care for his two younger sisters as his father wants him to, but he needs to prove he is capable. The biggest threat to their safety is a gang of seemingly fearless bullies. When Mor finds out that his former best friend is a part of the gang, he is tempted to join as well to gain their protection instead of being their target. Can he keep his family together without giving up his integrity? In her debut, Henderson paints a detailed picture of life in Senegal. The author's experience, research, and sensitivity shine, making this distinctive novel a valuable addition to the literature. While the book's universal themes of familial love, determination, and growing up will appeal to many, it's not for every reader. The story is slow to gain momentum, and two characters--the spirit of Mor's father and an odd fisherman who takes Mor under his wing--impart guidance and wisdom in poetic, sometimes-obscure language. A book that rewards patient, sensitive readers willing to dive in. (Fiction. 10-13)

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June 1, 2017

Gr 5-8-In his seaside home in Senegal, 11-year-old Mor Fall experiences the deaths of his mother and father. His aunt Dieynaba wishes to separate Mor and his sisters Amina and Fatima, but they beg for a few months to try to support themselves and to raise Amina's school fees. After some missteps, Mor begins working for Demba, a poetic, cryptic fisherman who provides him with a much-needed adult perspective. Mor's dead parents also appear to give him guidance. Matters devolve when Mor's childhood friend Cheikh pushes Mor to join the Danka Boys, a gang of street kids from Dakar. Henderson creates a multifaceted portrayal of Senegalese village life. Senegalese vocabulary (presumably Wolof) peppered throughout enriches the text. The first chapters, rife with grief and contemplation, are almost elegiac. While the intricacy of the writing and the context needed to fully appreciate the story make this most appropriate for middle schoolers, the intended audience may initially balk at reading about an 11-year-old protagonist. The heavy themes, deep sadness, and slower pace of the first few chapters may deter some readers. VERDICT A stirring tale that will likely require hand-selling to move off the shelf. Purchase as interest indicates.-Caitlin Augusta, Stratford Library Association, CT

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