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Fiction - Social Issues, Fiction - Miscellaneous People, Places & Cultures, Fiction - Emotions & Behaviors, Fiction - People with Special Needs, Fiction - Family Life
Christophe's Story by Nikki Cornwell β€” book cover

Christophe's Story

by Nikki Cornwell, Karin Littlewood (Illustrator)
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Overview

This is the story of a young Rwandan refugee now living in the U.K. Christophe is having trouble getting used to his new school, new language and new life. Life has been very lonely for him. Most of all he misses his grandfather who they had to leave behind. His teacher persuades Christophe to share his story with his classmates, so he tells them of the terrifying day the soldiers came to his house and killed his baby brother. The spoken story fills the air and his classmates are spellbound. But when his teacher asks him to write it down and read it out in assembly, Christophe is horrified. You lose the fire from a story once you write it down! But with the help of his new friends, his family, and the memory of his beloved grandfather, Christophe finds a way to break through the barriers and to share his story with everyone.

About the Author, Nikki Cornwell

Nicki Cornwell has previously worked as a social worker, a teacher and a university lecturer. She now divides her time as an author and French language interpreter. Her other title for Frances Lincoln is Armel's Revenge. She lives in Walthamstow, London. Karin Littlewood studied Graphic Design at the University of Northumbria, followed by an MA in illustration at Manchester Metropolitan University. She has worked in editorial, packaging, design, and advertising, as well as publishing. Her work has been nominated for the Kate Greenaway Medal three times. She lives in Central London.

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Editorials

Kirkus Reviews

Eight-year-old Christophe and his family have fled to England from war-torn Rwanda. In his new school, he is reluctant to learn to read because his grandfather believed that stories should be told and not written, in order that the listeners can form their own pictures. He learns, but reads only factual material. It is extremely painful to remember the past, but he's finally able to tell his own experiences of war, fear, death and loss. His teacher records the story, and Christophe agrees to let her transcribe it, because he understands that it is important that it reach a wider audience. By having Christophe speak with chilling simplicity directly to his classmates-and to the reader-Cornwell is able to convey the horror without the distance of an outside voice. It's a powerful indictment of the savagery of war and its effect on those caught in its path. But there's also a catharsis in the telling and a glimmer of hope for the future. Sugar-coating the truth about the world's evils is not in the best interests of children, but at what age should they be made aware of these truths? Parents and teachers may need to make that decision here. (Fiction. 10-12)

Book Details

Published
July 24, 2012
Publisher
Frances Lincoln Children's Books
Pages
80
Format
Paperback
ISBN
9781847802507

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