Listening for Lions

Title: Listening for Lions

 

Author: Gloria Whelan

 

Summary: Young teen, Rachel Sheridan lives in Africa with her missionary parents, both doctors, who operate a hospital set up for the people in a poor area. When influenza breaks out, Rachel's parents die and she is put into the care of a scheming, evil couple. Forced to use a fake identity and be the subject of their biggest scheme, Rachel must go to England.

But Rachel is strong, and has a mind of her own, and with a lot of luck, she finds a new place that she can comfortably call home. 

 

Comments: I liked this book a lot. Rachel is likeable, and all of the antagonists are perfectly unlikeable. I feel like Rachel's parents died too suddenly, and that the book moved along a bit quick for my taste (I prefer long, drawn-out stories), but overall it was a good story and all of the information that was necessary was contained between the covers.

It was interesting to see Rachel go from this young 14 year old to this young lady really coming into her own and making Africa and the world a better place. I thought it was special to watch her grow up, even if not an excess amount of information was provided. 

I would say that the book is probably best for 12+, just because of the scheming, the death, etc. Also, Rachel really grows up in the book and is already a teen when the book starts, so it is most relatable for the 12+ age range, I think.

 

Rating: 4 stars