This book was really fascinating. It depicted grief in such a sweet and tangible way. I really found the characters refreshing and unique and wanted to learn more about the culture.

Ezomo, a 10-year-old boy from the village of Sesa, has been in a near-permanent state of sadness after his father was killed by a leopard two years earlier and is considered useless by the rest of his villagers. When he sees the leopard, Ezomo and his two best friends, who also are considered 'less than' by others, find themselves on a quest to find out the truth about his father's death. But, as readers might expect, they learn many things on this journey. References to folktales and legends are woven through this fantastical story that at its core is about finding "happiness in sorrow and friendship in isolation." I highly recommend this for fans of Grace Lin, Tae Keller, and Erin Entrada Kelly.

Paasewe-Valchev's background in oral storytelling really shines through in this imaginative middle grade tale.

Interesting fantasy-like novel set in a small African village where magic and talking animals appear to be a part of every day life. Young Ezomo, who can't seem to get over his father's death, is an outcast in his labor and role-driven community. Most of those he lives with consider himself useless with the exception of his two friends (who are themselves outcasts to a degree). When Ezomo mother becomes sick he and his friends decide to ignore a number of village rules and pass through a magical door in the woods in search of a cure. Very unique narrative style, I'd LOVE to hear the audiobook of this.