Parents' Guide to

Diamond Boy

By Darienne Stewart, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 12+

Heartbreaking, powerful tale amid diamond mines of Zimbabwe.

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A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

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Is It Any Good?

Our review:
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Kids say (2):

DIAMOND BOY pulls readers on an emotional, illuminating journey into a dark chapter of Zimbabwean history that remains unfinished. South African author Michael Williams' challenging story may be a bit much for less mature readers: The violence and uncertainty of the world he describes is deeply disturbing, but the sensitive portrayal of the Moyo family keeps it from being overwhelming.

The takeaway is comforting and hopeful, encouraging kids to wrestle with big questions about greed, generosity, moral corruption, courage, family, and risks and rewards. Patient readers will forgive the somewhat jumbled final stretch.

Book Details

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