In a time when Haiti in the process of political change, Djo has been brutally attacked and beaten and lies close to death. Jeremie, a young woman from a local convent school, has been assigned to come sit with him and record his tale, so that it will not be lost. As he tells her his story -- how he became one of "Titid's Boys", became a car washer, and was dragged off to the Dominican Republic to cut cane -- an affection and friendship grows between them.

This is the kind of book I would have read in school, serving as kind of educational tool to show what live might have been like for young people in a country torn apart be violence and how they choose to wake up and take a stand in what ways they can. It is a good story with good writing, however, the association I had with school reading took away some of the enjoyment. I kept feeling like I was supposed to learn something from this, as though I might have to write an essay about it later, rather than getting wrapped up and passionate about the storyline. But this probably has more to do with my own bias rather than any flaws in the book. ( )

Wonderful! Good reminder of the Aristide known to the poor of Haiti in the early days of renewal. ( )

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