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Diamonds in the Shadow (Hardcover)

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4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
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  Hardcover, September 25, 2007 $12.47 $7.74 $0.02
  Paperback, March 16, 2009 $8.95 $4.50 $4.98

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  • This item: Diamonds in the Shadow by Caroline B. Cooney

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Evangelical Christian author Davis (Transparent) has created a sobering yet thoroughly satisfying primer on women's friendships. Davis, vice president of marketing/development for her father, who heads Ravi Zacharias International Ministries, presents a bold and touching view of the whys and wherefores of female relationships. She offers her own friendships as illustrations of the types of friendships women keep. Chapter by chapter, Davis discusses varying roles women adopt; how space between two people is sometimes healthy; when—or if—confrontation is called for; the possibilities of circles of friends and their survival rate; and much more. Readers will find the author's observations distinctive and instructive; they afford women the opportunity to review their own past and present friendships. While Davis's text is thoroughly sound and biblically on track, an overall sad note is woven into her conclusions about women and their ways with one another. (July 21)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.


From School Library Journal

Grade 6 Up—When the Finches take in a church-sponsored refugee family from war-torn Sierra Leone, teenage Jared is annoyed that he has to share his room with Mattu, who is his age. Sixth-grader Mopsy, however, is thrilled to embrace Alake and wants to turn her into a "best" friend. Alake doesn't talk, barely eats, and is plagued by nightmares. Meanwhile, Kara Finch takes the Amabo parents under her wing, teaching them about conveniences such as microwaves. The family brings no luggage except for two boxes of cremated remains. Through snooping, Jared and Mopsy find uncut diamonds in the ashes. Unlike their parents, they realize that something is amiss in this family. The Amabos do not talk, or touch, or seem to care about each other. Cooney brilliantly contrasts the horror of Africa's civil wars with the overwhelming abundance and naivety of American suburban life. Jared's narcissism, selfishness, and racism disintegrate when he confronts true evil. How families mysteriously bond and care for one another is examined under the dramatic circumstances of two disparate groups trying to make things work. When Jared learns that Mattu never heard of the Holocaust, he is astonished. But, Mattu tells him, "We have those in Africa. I have been in one." Indeed, more than 60 years later, we are learning about ever-new Holocausts.—Lillian Hecker, Town of Pelham Public Library, NY
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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Product Details

  • Reading level: Young Adult
  • Hardcover: 240 pages
  • Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers; 1 in number line reviewers slip- laid in edition (September 25, 2007)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0385732619
  • ISBN-13: 978-0385732611
  • Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 1 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #709,575 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

15 Reviews
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Average Customer Review
4.4 out of 5 stars (15 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A truly wonderful read, September 25, 2007
This review is from: Diamonds in the Shadow (Library Binding)
Diamonds in the Shadow begins in a church committee meeting that Jared Finch-much to his surprise-is requested to attend. The church has sponsored a refugee African family of four, and their planned accommodation has fallen through. The Finch family has volunteered to house them for several weeks, much to Jared's disgust. As far as he is concerned, he hasn't signed up to anything, and it is his bedroom, as well as that of his sister Mopsy's, that is being volunteered.

The family eventually arrives. A disgruntled Jared does his best to overcome his unwillingness. His mother and sister are filled with boundless and cringe-inducing enthusiasm. His father, already bogged down in the implications of a church financial scandal involving a close friend, is completely detached. And this is one bizarre refugee family.

Independently of each other, both Jared and Mopsy begin to realize that something very strange is going on under the surface. The behaviour of the Amabo family members towards each other does not make sense, and clearly, the entire family is absolutely terrified of something, or someone. This knowledge draws Jared and Mopsy together, and begins to make them both curious and protective towards the children, Mattu and Alake. Surprise after surprise awaits them as the dark secrets of this unusual family begin to be uncovered.

This is a wonderful read, full of sparkling humor, top class teenage `attitude,' and gripping suspense. It is a book that can be enjoyed by both teenage and adult readers alike.

Armchair Interviews says: This book will make you laugh, and you won't want to put it down.
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Courtesy of Teens Read Too, September 11, 2007
This review is from: Diamonds in the Shadow (Hardcover)
I've been a fan of Caroline B. Cooney ever since reading The Face on the Milk Carton years ago. That being said, I was thrilled when I saw she has a new book, DIAMONDS IN THE SHADOW.

True to her contemporary style, Cooney brings in a current events issue - the unexplainable violence taking place in some areas of Africa today. This new book focuses on a group of African refugees coming to the United States to begin living safer and more enriching lives.

Four of the refugees - a father, mother, and two teenage children - are welcomed at the airport by the Finch family. The family's church is sponsoring the refugees and will provide them with a place to live and help in adjusting to life in America. The fifth refugee is met at the airport in New York, but is headed for a new life in Texas.

Not everyone is happy about the new living arrangements. The Amabo family was originally supposed to have their own apartment with the church volunteers helping out as needed. However, an apartment was not available, so they are moving in with the Finches. High school student, Jared Finch, is not at all pleased with this change in plans. His mother may be all excited about teaching this new family the ways of America, but sharing a room was not part of the arrangement.

Celestine Amabo is anxious to start learning about her new surroundings. She is a quick study as Mrs. Finch takes her shopping and teaches her about cooking and cleaning. Andre Amabo's adjustment is hampered by the fact that the uncontrolled violence in Africa resulted in the loss of both of his hands. Instead of learning to work, he is spending time visiting doctors who hope to create at least one artificial hand, enabling him to help in the support of his family.

Jared and Martha (Mopsy) Finch take on the task of helping the two African teenagers deal with school and their new American lives. Mattu adjusts quickly, but Alake doesn't seem to see or hear anything that goes on around her. Jared Finch is suspicious about these strangers right from the start. He doesn't believe they are really family. There doesn't seem to be an emotional or loving connection between any of them.

While the Finch family is working hard to adjust to their new guests, the fifth refugee is in Texas trying to find out where the Amabos are living. It appears that someone in the refugee "family" has something valuable that belongs to him. Is he looking for something related to two mysterious boxes supposedly containing the cremated remains of Mattu's grandparents? Can he find them and will everyone be in danger when he does?

Caroline B. Cooney succeeds once again with a YA novel filled with suspense and action. Adding the current event topic of the African refugee situation, along with the struggle of Americans to understand and help those in need, creates much to think about in DIAMONDS IN THE SHADOW.

Reviewed by: Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Thrilling look at families and devastation, November 28, 2007
Diamonds in the Shadow by Caroline B. Cooney is the story of the African refugee Amabo family and their hosts the Finch family. The Finch family agrees to take on the refugees after an apartment rented by the church for them falls through. Jared, the eldest son, is disgusted to have to share his room with a complete stranger, as well as his home. Mopsy, the eleven-year old daughter, can't wait for the Amabos to arrive in hopes that their daughter will be the sister she's longed for. But when the Amabos arrive, things aren't quite what they seem. The parents ignore their teenage "children". Mattu, the boy, is eloquent and immediately falls in love with the opportunities and excess of American culture. Alake, the girl, is oddly silent and unkept. No one notices the girl's distress except for Mopsy who takes the African under her wing and decides to fix her. The Amabos are hiding many secrets that could endanger not only themselves but the Finches as well. This was my first Caroline B. Cooney book; she's one of my daughter's favorite authors, and after reading this book I can see why. Her portrayal of Jared as the typical teen is uncannily accurate: he's selfish and narcissistic one moment and compassionate and generous the next. He's the only one to look beneath the surface of the Amabos and see the lies hiding there. Mopsy is very naive and innocent, and many in her life take that for immaturity, but when she decides to love Alake, she becomes the only link the saves their entire family. Alake is hiding a terrible secret; her "family" knows, and they shun her for it. In America, she attends church and begins to learn about God, but the more she learns, the more she believes that what she's done is unforgivable. The culture shock experienced by both families is realistic and profound. I was impressed at the depth to the plot and issues addressed. When my daughter, Molly, finished reading it, we talked a bit about the choices both families made. It made her consider what she would do had she been in Alake's place. Any book that opens up communication between a parent and child gets my vote as a terrific read! The final scene between Alake and her mother brought tears to my eyes. It, as well as the rest of the book, was powerfully written.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Caroline B. Cooney Weaves a Masterful Mystery
Author Caroline B. Cooney masterfully illustrates the terror of war and how it vastly differs from the simplicity of suburban life in the United States. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Genetta Adair

4.0 out of 5 stars Diamonds in the Shadow
Diamonds in the Shadow is a mystery of what happens to an African Refugee family when they end up living with a Connecticut family after an apartment falls through. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Our Class

3.0 out of 5 stars The Finch's oldest son Jared realizes "something isn't right"
The Finch family open their home to the Amabo family, refugees from Africa. The refugees suffered horrible atrocities in their homeland. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Readers Favorite

5.0 out of 5 stars A Gem of a Tale
An American family of four. An African family of four ... plus one shadow figure with a murderous agenda. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Delia Latham

4.0 out of 5 stars Diamonds in the shadow
When the apartment that the Amabo family was to stay in falls through - Jared is forced to share his bedroom with Mutto - their teenage son. Read more
Published 8 months ago by K. Herbrand

4.0 out of 5 stars Good YA book that adults will want to read too!
"Diamonds in the Shadow" is a fantastic YA book from Caroline Cooney that is full of many great elements. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Janna R. Ryan

4.0 out of 5 stars Teen Guy and Gals Will Like This One
I loved this Young Adult Fiction laced with suspense! The characters are fun to meet and provoke questions as the pages are turned. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Sally

4.0 out of 5 stars Gripping. Makes you think for days.
Review by Jill Williamson

Jared is annoyed. He gets that people like to be do-gooders in the world, but why his family? And why dangerous African refugees? Read more
Published 10 months ago by Novel Teen Book Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Diamons in the shawdows is a real gem
The "Diamonds in the Shawdows" is about a family (the Fitches) that adopts another family (the Algoma) from Africa. Read more
Published 21 months ago by K. Mantych

5.0 out of 5 stars Loved this book
The Finch Family doesn't have a large house and when his parents agree to host a family of African refugees, Jared knows he'll have to share his room. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Barbara Warren

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