Diamond Boy

Eye-opening depiction of the desperation, brutality, and heartbreak tied to Zimbabwe's Marange diamond field. Teen's journey shows the societal upheaval caused by the mining operations, the corruption of the Mugabe government, the disparity between Zimbabwe and neighboring South Africa, and the ongoing violence and instability in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. References to Nelson Mandela and author Credo Mutwa may inspire further reading. Back matter includes a glossary, historical information on Marange and land mines, and an author's note explaining how a young reader's letter inspired the novel.

Amid the corruption and greed at the mine, Patson forges loyal friendships. He takes great risks, but through it all he puts family first. Boubacar, still trying to make amends for terrible deeds in his past, goes to extraordinary lengths to help Patson's family. Patson's father is a calm, thoughtful influence on his family.

Aside from a teen's account of a simple kiss, sexual references -- many of them oblique -- are tinged with violence and exploitation. A guard leers at a woman's breasts and another gropes a woman; so-called washer women are clearly prostitutes; a young girl hides her identity to avoid sexual assault; an adult woman is presented as exploiting her sexuality to gain favor with powerful men. 

A few brands are mentioned: Coca-Cola, Nokia, BMW, Mxit, Weet-Bix, Isuzu, Nissan, Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai, Ray-Ban, Fanta, and Sparletta.