The Door of No Return [Hardcover]

Sarah Mussi (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 26, 2008

Zac Baxter's grandfather has always told him that he's the descendant of African kings, whose treasure was stolen when his ancestors were sold into slavery. Of course, Zac brushes this off as a tall tale -- until his grandfather is murdered and their apartment is completely ransacked. Clearly somebody is after something.

Heeding his grandfather's dying words, Zac is off to Ghana to track down his family's history. But what did his grandfather mean when he said that Zac had the map to the treasure? Following every clue he can find, Zac begins to suspect that the treasure is real, and hidden in one of Ghana's old slave forts. Too bad the killers always seem to be one step ahead of him. With no one he can trust and with everything to lose, Zac races against time as he tries to uncover the truth about the past -- and a fortune in gold.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Starred Review. Grade 8 Up—Lost gold treasure, African royal ancestors, and betrayal are the foundation of family legends that Zac Baxter has been told repeatedly by his beloved grandfather. Zac loves the man but is skeptical about his stories until Sam Baxter's brutal murder convinces him otherwise. He promises himself to finish what his grandfather started no matter what the outcome. Zac is depicted as a regular British teen of African descent. He is likable, resourceful, and often terrified as his life is threatened at every turn. The British government clearly wants him out of the way. The characters he meets on his quest, both friends and villains, are unique and fully developed. This exciting narrative takes place in England and Africa; in jungles, dark caves, and on the sea. The Gold Coast slave trade comes alive with Zac's every historical discovery, while the parallel story told of the harrowing experiences of his ancestors puts a personal touch on the inhumanity of slavery. Zac begins his journey wanting vindication for his grandfather and personal gain for himself. However, he ends it with respect and pride in his heritage, confidence in his abilities, and finally with a sense that his grandfather would be proud and at peace with his accomplishments. Overall, this is a complex, masterful story for confident readers.—Margaret Auguste, Franklin Middle School, Somerset, NJ
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About the Author

Sarah Mussi is an English woman who lived in Ghana for many years. Married to a Ghanaian, she currently lives in England and works as a school teacher.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 400 pages
• Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books (August 26, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416915508
• ISBN-13: 978-1416915508
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.8 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,900,706 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great read for teenagers!, August 15, 2008

By 

K. Durward "solflower" (london, uk) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Door of No Return (Hardcover)

This is a great read, fast paced with lots of action and a sympathetic, slightly goofy hero. What sets it apart from being just another adventure story though,is the brave tackling of the issue of the slave trade from West Africa. The book can be read on several levels, just simply as a rollicking story, or more seriously considering the big issue embedded within it. Its a book for teenage boys who will love the chase scenes and mysterious shadowy would-be-assassins. But it is also a book for class study with teenagers, with lots of teaching potential on a diversity of issues, such as loss of family, race, personal struggle etc as well as the big thorny one of slavery. Teenagers looking for a zippy read or teachers looking for a great book to work with in class, would be well advised to dip into this! The kids at our school really loved it!