Leaving Home
Leaving Home
Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2005
Book Brief
192
Novel • Fiction
Papua New Guinea • 2000s
2005
YA
10-14 years
Super Short Summary
Leaving Home by Jan Michael follows ten-year-old Sam Sangala, a city boy from Blantyre, Malawi, who must adapt to rural life with his aunt's family after his mother's AIDS-related death. Exploring his new environment and grappling with intense culture shock, Sam's journey reveals modern Malawi and personal impacts of broad issues like the AIDS crisis on orphaned children. Contains discussions of HIV/AIDS and bereavement.
Contemplative
Bittersweet
Emotional
Melancholic
Nostalgic
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Leaving Home by Jan Michael has received mixed reviews. Critics appreciate the author’s evocative prose and the empathetic portrayal of grief and healing. However, some feel the pacing is uneven and the plot predictable. The book offers a poignant yet sometimes overly sentimental insight into dealing with loss, making it a touching but occasionally formulaic read.
Who Should Read Leaving Home?
A reader who would enjoy Leaving Home by Jan Michael is likely a young adult interested in themes of personal growth, cultural transitions, and resilience. This book appeals to fans of The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie and Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan due to its focus on overcoming adversity and finding one's place in the world.
192
Novel • Fiction
Papua New Guinea • 2000s
2005
YA
10-14 years
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