Adem's Cross

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

Set in 1993 in a former Yugoslavian province, this drama examines the plight of ethnic Albanians in Serb-occupied Kovoso when one Albanian boy defies authority. "While the graphic depictions of violence invite sympathy for the Albanians, the message of this riveting novel carries a wider meaning," said PW. Ages 10-up. (May)

The ALAN Review - Rick Williams

For fourteen-year-old Adem, the internal conflicts of adolescence are exacerbated by the external conflicts of the current crisis in his native Kosovo, a province of the former Yugoslavia. Through Adem, Mead tells a turbulent tale that illustrates the complexities of the Balkan tragedy and examines active versus passive resistance to oppression. Young adult readers will identify with the teenage characters who sip Coke, absorb MTV, disagree with elders, and preen before mirrors. However, readers will be shocked by the atrocities that these characters endure as they hope beyond hope that the world will rescue them. Adem suffers the loss of friends and family before he himself is victimized by the thugs who rule his land. In the struggle to survive, Adem must compromise his conscience; pray to three Gods - Muslim, Catholic, and Orthodox - avoid the very publicity that could rouse the world's attention; and bear his cross.

School Library Journal

Gr 5-8-The author of Junebug (Farrar, 1995) leaves the drug-infested projects for an even more harrowing setting: Kosovo, Yugoslavia. Fourteen-year-old Adem, an Albanian, tries to survive despite the day-to-day random violence and cruelty of the Serbians. American youngsters may have trouble imagining a school without chairs, books, or heat. They will have trouble visualizing that school's annual first day tradition: tear gas and beating up the principal. In this republic, Albanian children are not allowed to play organized sports. Personal freedom is an even more valuable commodity than nonexistent gasoline. When Adem's beloved older sister attempts to make a stand, she is cut down by Serbian bullets, and Adem is consumed by secret guilt that he might have prevented her death. His home life spirals down quickly as his family is crushed by the opposition. After Adem is mutilated by Serbian soldiers, he escapes, aided by a Serb and a gypsy, who is killed during the flight. Mead preps readers with a quick, efficient sketch of Yugoslavia's recent history before jumping into this disturbing society. She is not taking a political stance. She passionately defends children caught in cultural crossfire. One inconsistency is puzzling. Twice Adem mentions that Fatmira had spoken out and read her peace poem, but the text states that she was shot while waiting to read it. Setting that quibble aside, this book takes a distant and brutal conflict and makes it real. Recommend it to fans of Frances Temple and Suzanne Staples.-Marilyn Payne Phillips, University City Public Library, MO