City Boy

I really loved "City Boy" by Jan Michael! The book drew me in from the very first chapter which introduces us to Malawian Sam Sangala who has recently lost both parents to AIDS. Because there were no big inheritances, the care of Sam is left to whomever will have him. Fortunately Sam's aunt steps forward to care for him, but this means that Sam who has grown up in the city and been exposed to all of the advances and technologies available there has to move to the rural village where his aunt lives. This move is a big awakening to Sam. He has never lived without electricity or had to share all of his nice indulgences. This novel nicely follows Sam's transition to a new life. It touches nicely on many aspects of what happens to the orphans left behind due to the ravages of HIV/AIDS. While grieving the loss of his parents and adjusting to a new life, Sam learns so much about his parents who grew up in the village he now calls home. I greatly enjoyed the story from the very first chapter through to the last page. Targeted at readers in grades 5 to 8, this would be an amazing read for young students. My 7-year-old advanced reader picked it up one day and really got into it quickly. Highly recommended for all ages.

This story takes place in Malawi, in eastern Africa. Sam, who is about 11 years old, is used to a modern life in town in a fairly well-off family. They have a car, his father is in business, they have all the conveniences, a television, computers, video games. Sam goes to a good school, has nice clothes, and parents who care about him. All this changes when both parents die of AIDS, referred to as "The Disease," which is rampant in Africa. The author does not try to play down this scourge, nor its causes, nor the number of people affected. The children in the book see it all the time and almost take it for granted, although many believe myths about it, such as it is caused by witchcraft. Sam knows better. He is sent to live with his Aunt Mercy, whose husband has also died of AIDS, in a remote rural village. She has her own two children, plus two other AIDS orphans already living with her. His aunt is kind, but Sam is in for culture shock. There is no electricity. Life is primitive. Most of the children don't have shoes, and Sam is devastated when his expensive running shoes are stolen. The other children are amazed at his possessions, his books, his Game Boy. At first he is miserable, but little by little he starts making an effort to fit in. Sam does have quite a few lessons to learn about getting along with other people, however. Fed up, he runs away, and encounters an experience reminiscent of The Blair Witch Project. This book has a lot to teach young people in this country, who like Sam, may not know the difference between Malawi and Mali, may not know what AIDS is doing on the African continent, and may not know how to cope in Sam's situation. As spoiled and selfish as he may be at times, he's been through a lot for one his age. Recommended.

I'm a 42-year-old mom, and I absolutely loved this book. If you like "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" you will love this book, too. You get a glimpse of every-day life in a mission village in Africa. Well written, and a serious page-turner. Michael did an excellent job at portraying the sights, smell, tastes, textures, feelings, and culture of Malawi. Addresses various issues, such as privelege vs. poverty, modernization, AIDS, and loss of parents. I read it first, and now will have my 10-year-old daughter read it.

"City Boy" is a story about loss, change and transformation told through the experiences of a young boy in Malawi. Sam's parents have both died of "the disease" and he of necessity goes to live with his aunt and her family. Raised in an urban setting by parents who were happy to leave the mud huts and the old ways of a small town behind, Sam not only has to come to terms with the death of his parents, but with the challenges and gifts of being part of a large extended family group. This is a well written book that deals with the reality of life in a country ravaged by AIDS in a way that is both unflinching and compassionate. The search for connection and belonging, having to balance tradition with modernity, along with the related emotions and interpersonal conflicts is something that many children today can relate to. Jan Michael also offers an interesting look into a Malawi and its people and exposes young readers to some different customs, language, family and kinship structures that exist. Suggested for 5th grade and older, parents and educators should preview this first (you will enjoy it as well) and be ready to talk with their children about the various issues that it raises.

This book is a great opportunity for children to learn about the differences in lifestyles and appreciate the things they have. Although the story is set in Malawi, its lessons can easily be translated to any country and any circumstances. Sam has now lost both of his parents to the Disease, and he has been sent from the city to a rural village to live with family he has never met. He struggles with all of the things that he has lost (riding in a car, attending a nice school, a proper bed, electricity, computers). At times, he seems arrogant to his cousins, but he is simply struggling to adapt. The book would be perfect for use in a school or homeschool setting. It is recommended for ages 10 and up, but a mature 8 or 9-year-old could read it as well. The name of the Disease is never specified, but it is mentioned (twice) that it is contracted when men and women have sex. (Teachers and parents may want to be aware of this.) The story revolves heavily around the topic of death and loss...I found Sam's journey to be fairly emotional. At 186 pages (plus a 2-page glossary at the back), the story moves very quickly. There is some native Chichewa (the language of Malawi) throughout the story.