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Mamba Point (2010)

by Kurtis Scaletta(Favorite Author)

3.85 of 5 Votes: 4

ISBN

0375861807 (ISBN13: 9780375861802)

languge

English

genre

Historical Fiction

publisher

Knopf Books for Young Readers

review 1: Age: Middle Readers (9-12)Genre: Mystery/FolktaleDiversity: Multinational, United NationsIllustrations: There were just simple snakes going down the sides of the pages throughout the book.Personal Response: I liked the story of Linus and his family who move from the states to Liberia because of his dad's job. Linus discovers he has a kaseng, a mystical connection, with the black mamba snake and starts to treat one as a pet. Eventually this turns deadly. It is a great story of growing up and becoming whoever you want to be.Curricular connection: This books could be used when studying Liberia or when studying black mamba snakes.
review 2: Our family has lived overseas for 23 years, and this is the best book I’ve ever read to describe expat life as we know it. T... morehe book is well targeted for middle schoolers – quick clear sentences and situations, with just enough significant detail. 12 year-old Linus Tuttle has just moved with his family to Liberia. He has a lot to adjust to, but first he must come to terms with his own insecurities. He is a boy after all, prone to obsess over girls and games and group dynamics no matter where he might be. Scaletta draws upon his own childhood memories of Monrovia, the capital. His experience has helped him recognize that the local culture isn’t going to dominate every expat’s daily life. The local scenes and honest teen emotions provide the necessary foundation to support an impressive twist of African mysticism. Linus has a young boy’s faith in what is possible and what is right. He’s an inspiring everyman hero, in an absolutely wonderful novel. less

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