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Pemba's Song: A Ghost Story

(2008, Fiction - Mystery, Written by Marilyn Nelson, Tonya Hegamin)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 10, age appropriate for kids over 12; suggested age 12.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Intriguing, history-minded mystery with a modern twist.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 12 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    In the flashbacks to the time of slavery, there is some real cruelty mentioned -- suspected abuse of a wife by her husband and a slave owner who is possibly guilty of murder. On the other hand there are examples of positive adult influences, true friendship, and love. The title character, Pemba, begins as sullen and sulky toward her mother, but grows out of it.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Mentions of murder, cruelty, and spousal abuse. A girl becomes violently ill and is hospitalized.

  • Sex:

    Puppy love between two teens with brief kisses.

  • Language:

    Quite a bit of slang coming from the teens' interaction with one another, but nothing negative.

  • Consumerism:

    The title characters mention MP3 players and cell phones, but nothing by brand name.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Pemba's Song: A Ghost Story

Parents need to know that there are some incidents of violence in this book including a murder, a poisoning, and spousal abuse, all relived in some way by a clairvoyant teen. Parents should also be aware that part of the novel takes place during the time of slavery. Cruelties of the time are mentioned in flashbacks rather than in the visceral way of many novels written today on the subject.

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Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about American history and compare lifestyles then and now. Pemba finds herself living through a slave girl that once occupied her new house. What are the similarities between Phylly's life and Pemba's? What are the similiarities between their lives and yours? What did Pemba learn while researching town history with Mr. Abraham? What history do you know of the town where you live? Why is important to know your family's personal history?
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