Reading Metrics
Grade Level
Upper Grades (UG 9-12)
Book Level
5.7
Points
15.0
Fiction/Nonfiction
Fiction
Word Count
97374
Points per Word
0.000154
Page Count
358
Points per Page
0.041899
Description
This collection of short stories by Uwem Akpan explores the lives of children living in various African countries facing poverty, displacement, and family hardships. The stories, set in nations including Kenya, Nigeria, and Rwanda, feature young protagonists who witness and experience difficult situations such as famine, refugee crises, and family struggles. The collection includes the story "An Ex-Mas Feast," in which an eight-year-old boy participates in his family's sacrifices to afford enough food for the holiday and maintain his education.