Alexandria is your typical spoiled brat. With no respect for anyone put herself, her biggest concern in life is making sure her brand new car doesn’t clash with her outfit. She is thus surprised to find that her father’s money cannot get her out of her latest scrape with the law. She quickly finds herself on a plane to Kenya to serve a community by building schools instead of serving her time in detention. However, once in Africa she comes to realize that perhaps there are more important things that money can buy, and that friendship may be more important than money altogether.
While this was my first Eric Walter’s novel, I do not expect it to be my last. Alexandria of Africa is fast paced and easy to read. While the characters are highly stereotyped, the realities of life for many of those living in areas like Walter has described are accurate. The story is compelling, and the reader is glad to see Alex come to learn more about the world and herself. A typical coming of age story but set apart by its exciting landscape, this book will appeal to a younger audience interested in social issues or a character with a little more depth than the classic gossip girl type.
Other books by Eric Walters: War of the Eagles, Special Edward, Stars, Northern Exposures
Rating: 3Q 3P J
*This book is largely based off of Walter’s experience while in Africa working with the amazing organization Free the Children. Free the Children is an international organization that sends children, young adults or families in North America overseas to help the lives of the less fortunate. They build schools, send over medicine, provide education, etc.
From the website: “The primary goals of the organization are to free children from poverty and exploitation and free young people from the notion that they are powerless to affect positive change in the world.”
Short video from the brothers who started Free the Children
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