Review: Escape Under the Forever Sky

Escape Under the Forever Sky
Eve Yohalem
2009; Chronicle Books; ISBN 978-0-8118-6653-8 (hardcover)

Summary: Lucy thought that moving to Ethiopia with her mother, the new U.S. ambassador, would be the start of an amazing adventure. Instead, her mother keeps her shut inside, saying it's not safe to go to the market or explore Ethiopia's wildlife parks. Thirteen-year-old Lucy quickly gets bored with only seeing her friends at school and reading about lions and hyenas. But when she is kidnapped, Lucy will take everything she knows in order to escape and survive.

An intriguing look at an American girl in a foreign land, Escape Under the Forever Sky shows the tension between freedom and safety. Lucy wants to be able to move freely and be self-reliant, yet at the same time she doesn't have yet the ability to trust her instincts and get out of a dangerous situation. Her kidnapping lets her see her mother's point of view, while proving that Lucy does have the skills to protect herself. This story of survival and family dynamics would be enjoyed by readers of Gary Paulsen.