Stephen March (1948–2014)

I received this book as part of the Early Reviewers program, having requested it mostly because I thought the title sounded interesting. If I were to decide whether or not I wanted to continue reading the book based solely on the first few pages, or even the first chapter, I probably would not have finished the book. It seemed a bit too much like urban fiction for my taste. However, I persevered and the story did improve, as did the likability of the protagonist. The dynamics between Jesse & Mr. Ebbans were interesting, if a bit "Tuesdays With Morrie"-ish. The ending felt a bit anticlimactic to me, as if many threads were left hanging, particularly as far as relationships between different characters were concerned. Overall it was a speedy read, though probably not something I would read again.… (más)

Jesse Terrill, at the age of 16, has had more trials than most people twice his age. After his brother dies, his parents divorce, and his mom abandons Jesse and his dad. Then his dad is mugged and severely beaten, leaving him brain-damaged to the extent that Jesse and his uncle cannot care for him at home. Is Jesse angry? Yes, he is. Does he want to lash out at the world? Yes, he does. So one moonlit night he unthinkingly goes along with his pals to vandalize the nearby Jewish temple. Unfortunately for Jesse, he is the only one who is caught. His punishment is many community service hours reading to and helping a wheelchair-bound Holocaust survivor. The characters in this novel are so real you could meet them on the street, even the secondary characters are fully fleshed out. Jesse's uncle tries so hard and lovingly to tame Jesse, to get him through his difficult adolescence. But Jesse burns with rage. More than anything he wants to find and kill the man who beat his father. Will he succeed? Or will he be hurt in the risky game he's playing?

The reader is frustrated along with Jesse as he makes one bad decision after another, knowing full well that it can only make matters worse. Jesse knows what he wants to do is wrong, and it's fascinating to watch his internal struggle. Mr. Ebban also sees the struggle and, through the Torah and conversation, tries to help Jesse see the better way.

Strangers in the Land of Egypt is a real page-turner--with a huge heart. I strongly recommend it for readers over the age of fourteen!… (más)