The Cinnamon Tree

by Aubrey Flegg

Paperback, 2000

Status

Available

Call number

823

Genres

Children's Books

Fiction

Collection

Accelerated Reader

Publication

O'Brien Press (2000), 208 pages

Description

Yola's leg is blown off by a landmine and her life in Africa is changed forever. When Yola travels to Ireland to be fitted with an artificial leg and meets seventeen-year-old Fintan, she little realises that they will soon be involved in an international arms intrigue, and an adventure that will bring them both close to death.

User reviews

LibraryThing member rata

'This powerful story is set in a fictional African state resembling Angola and takes a strong anti-war stance. The story starts dramatically when a young 13 - 14 year old girl, Yola Abonda loses her leg in a landmine explosion. her cousin Gabbin (younger than her) is tending the cow herd when the

prize bull wanders off to shade himself under the large Cinnamon Tree. Gabbin, fearful of the consequences that he'll receive from his father, if the bull is lost or blown up, runs to Yola for assistance. Yola, being older, takes control and carefully walks through the minefield to retreive Managu the bull. As she nears Managu, a landmine explodes and all Yola can remember is the sickly smell of cinnamon as she is raced to medical care. As the story proceeds characters and readers alike are forced to examine the attitude of supposedly peaceful nations and individuals to the arms trade. You will read about innocent youth, warring tribes, corrupt Western businessmen and frustrated aid agencies and how they are all intertwined. 'A thought-provoking book which addresses the issue of illegal arms trading with the West.

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