A truly beautiful coming of age story. 15 year old Shamiso is struggling to find footing after the death of her father. Shamiso is sent to boarding school where she resists everything and sulks around reacting to everyone. Her schoolmate, Tanyaradzwa, also is struggling but finds herself drawn to Shamiso. This story moved me to tears.

It reminds readers of the intense need for true friendship. How important it is to let people in and to be willing to overlook some pieces as we are all just people, “made out of a lifetime of mistakes and fears.” And if we can remember that, we may just find ourselves “a little more gracious.”

An easy, quick read that deals with not so easy issues. I enjoyed learning about a different culture and it was very well written.

Hope is Our Only Wing is a stirring coming of age story that touches on loss, grief and friendship. Written in the third-person, Tavengerwei introduces us to Shamiso, a girl who has lost her father and must find a way through her grief, all while navigating social cliques and privileges of her peers. Tavengerwei adds depth to the story by introducing glimpses into the lives of Shamiso's classmates, which in turn illuminates the shared struggles of growing up, and paints everyday life in a country being reborn.

Tavengerwei approaches politics and the stark reality of life with gentle revelations that connect the characters together, for better or worse. Overall, this is a satisfyingly quick read that shares an important snapshot in history with a message of hope and redemption.