Listening for Lions by Gloria Whelan

Right from the beginning of "Listening for Lions" you know that Rachel's life is going to be full of sadness. Her missionary parents, who were also the local doctor and teacher in their East African village, had given Rachel a magical childhood in a beautiful country. They taught her love for the land, kindness for their neighbors, and they inspired her to be strong and brave. When the terrible influenza of 1919 claimed the lives of many villagers, it also claimed the lives of Rachel's parents. Among the many casualties was a young girl, Valerie, the daughter of a wealthy and cruel family, the Pritchards. After losing their only child and discovering that Rachel was now alone, the Pritchards began to devise a terrible plot to have Rachel take over Valerie's identity in order to get money from her grandfather. I loved this book for the courage of Rachel, for the beauty of her home and for the ways that she remains true to the lessons her parents taught! Review by Loretta Eysie