Escape Under the Forever Sky
by Eve Yohalem

    ESCAPE UNDER THE FOREVER SKY by Eve Yohalem
    Category:  Action-Adventure
    Age Recommendation:  Grades 6+
    Release Date:  4/15/09
    Publisher:  Chronicle Books
    Reviewed by:  Allison Fraclose
    Rating:  5 Stars


    Thirteen-year-old Lucy Hoffman dreams of exploring the wilds of Africa - the hot desert sands beating around
    her and exotic animals around every corner for her to study. This wouldn’t be so ironic if she didn’t already live
    in Africa.

    As the daughter of the American ambassador, Lucy spends her days cooped up in a guarded compound in
    Ethiopia with only school and the occasional game drive through the local wildlife park to keep her entertained.
    She even got in major trouble when she snuck off to visit the marketplace with her two native friends. Her
    mother actually sent out a SWAT team of marines to retrieve her!

    Once she’s finally allowed out again after that little incident, she and her friend Tana decide to sneak off for a
    concert at a local restaurant…and Lucy ends up kidnapped. Now, she really is out in the bush, fighting for her
    life and trying to escape her captors.

    She never thought she’d be exploring Africa this way, and all she wants to do now is return home. During her
    captivity and escape, we catch a glimpse into her memories as she travels back, thinking of different times in her
    life and how they’ve brought her to today. With limited access to food and water, and having no idea where in
    Ethiopia she is, Lucy must use her wits and acquired knowledge of African ecology to survive and find a way
    home.

    This endearing story about a headstrong, intelligent heroine is based on an actual incident that took place in
    Ethiopia in 2005. Although the real tale involved a native villager, this book works to bridge the gap between
    nationalities and point out that people of all cultures have the same goals, hopes, fears, and dreams.