Abe in Arms
by Pegi Dietz Shea

    ABE IN ARMS by Pegi Deitz Shea
    Category:  Contemporary
    Age Recommendation:  Grades 9+
    Release Date:  6/1/10
    Publisher:  PM Press
    Reviewed by:  Joan Stradling
    Rating:  5 Stars


    After surviving the wars in Liberia, Abe has been adopted by a doctor and his family in America. Though
    therapy helped him deal with the loss of his family and helped him accept his new life, there are deeper
    memories of his life in Africa threatening to surface. Memories that could destroy him and everything he's
    come to love.

    Though he's a high school track star, Abe has to stop running and face his past in order to move forward
    with his new life. But will his past catch up with him before he's ready?

    ABE IN ARMS amazed me. In spite of the horrors of child soldiers, war, and struggles to come to terms
    with who he is and where he came from, Abe is easy to relate to. I found myself turning the pages without
    realizing I was even doing it. The story drew me in and kept me mesmerized as I learned more about Abe
    and his life.

    This isn't the type of story I would normally read; I'm much more into fantasy and lighthearted fun. However,
    the truth of Abe's experiences in a war-torn country, and the struggles he faces as he deals with memories
    he'd much rather forget, compelled me to keep reading until I couldn't help falling in love with ABE IN
    ARMS.

    This eye-opening novel is a must-read! I don't often want to pick up a book and read it again, but I have a
    feeling I'll be opening ABE IN ARMS again in the near future.