One Shadow on the Wall by Leah Henderson

One Shadow on the Wall

By

Description

An orphaned boy in contemporary Senegal must decide between doing what is right and what is easy as he struggles to keep a promise he made to his dying father in this “stirring” (School Library Journal) middle grade debut novel laced with magical realism.

Eleven-year-old Mor was used to hearing his father’s voice, even if no one else could since his father’s death. It was comforting. It was also a reminder that Mor had made a promise to his father before he passed: keep your sisters safe. Keep the family together. But almost as soon as they are orphaned, that promise seems impossible to keep. With an aunt from the big city ready to separate him and his sisters as soon as she arrives, and a gang of boys from a nearby village wanting everything he has—including his spirit—Mor is tested in ways he never imagined.

With only the hot summer months to prove himself, Mor must face a choice. Does he listen to his father and keep his heart true, but risk breaking his promise through failure? Or is it easier to just join the Danka Boys, who despite their maliciousness are at least loyal to their own?

One Shadow on the Wall is about love and loss, family and friendship, and creating your own future—even when it’s hard to do.

More Leah Henderson Books

  • Black Enough

    Black Enough

    Ibi Zoboi, Tracey Baptiste, Coe Booth, Dhonielle Clayton, Brandy Colbert, Jay Coles, Lamar Giles, Leah Henderson, Justina Ireland, Varian Johnson, Kekla Magoon, Tochi Onyebuchi, Jason Reynolds, Nic Stone, Liara Tamani, Renee Watson & Rita Williams-Garcia

    Fiction for Young Adults

  • Improv to Improve Your Business

    Improv to Improve Your Business

    Brent Brooks, Rick Crain, Rob Duncan, Leah Henderson, Jim Hogan, Vanessa Lowry, Deborah Thomas, Scott Williford & Mark Wyssbrod

    Business & Personal Finance

  • One Shadow on the Wall

    One Shadow on the Wall

    Leah Henderson

    Culture, Places & People in Kids Fiction

  • A Little Bit Super

    A Little Bit Super

    Gary D. Schmidt, Leah Henderson, Pablo Cartaya, Nikki Grimes, Remy Lai, Kyle Lukoff, Meg Medina, Daniel Nayeri, Linda Sue Park, Mitali Perkins, Pam Munoz Ryan, Brian Young & Ibi Zoboi

    Favorite Characters for Kids

  • A Day for Rememberin'

    A Day for Rememberin'

    Leah Henderson & Floyd Cooper

    Culture, Places & People in Kids Fiction

  • The Magic in Changing Your Stars

    The Magic in Changing Your Stars

    Leah Henderson

    Science Fiction for Kids

  • Together We March

    Together We March

    Leah Henderson

    Coming of Age Fiction for Young Adults

  • Daddy Speaks Love

    Daddy Speaks Love

    Leah Henderson & E. B. Lewis

    Culture, Places & People in Kids Fiction

  • The Courage of the Little Hummingbird

    The Courage of the Little Hummingbird

    Leah Henderson & Magaly Morales

    Fairy Tales, Myths & Fables for Kids

  • Mamie on the Mound

    Mamie on the Mound

    Leah Henderson & George Doutsiopoulos

    Biographies for Kids