Moving from Haiti to Oakland is a major change for thirteen year old Remi, but it’s not long before he’s made a friend, a cute girl who lives in his building, Niya. Together they try to discover a mystery associated with a train which runs right by the house. You see, the train only comes through in the middle of the night and the same thing happens each time. Remi soon determines that he’s witness to a murder, but he’ll need Niya’s help to do something about it. Especially since the train (and the murder) are part of the past.
This book was published in 1996. Mowry tried to make the slang appropriate for the time, but the result is that the book is a bit dated in terms of the some of the vocabulary. This is not so significant that it would interfere with understanding.
Great for: Not all middle school and high school students are able to read books that are intended for their age group. Students with reading difficulties often struggle to find books that are easy enough to read and yet have content that would be interesting to them. This book would do a great job of providing a story that would be engaging for middle school through early high school and yet simple enough text that readers who struggle would be able to read it. I would bet the reading level is around 3rd or 4th grade, but the content (as noted below) is clearly meant for students with more life experience.
Jess Mowry writes books about tough issues. You may find his site helpful in understanding his perspective. It’s worth checking out his individual books before deciding whether your child is the right age for the content.
Sex, Nudity, Dating – There’s a class at school on sexual awareness. Remi wishes Niya’s shirt had 3 buttons undone instead of two. Niya and Remi talk, Remi telling Niya she can take her shirt off if she’s hot, Niya complaining that her mom wants her to wear a bra. Niya likes talking with Remi because he isn’t just trying to jump her bones. Niya tells Remi at least he doesn’t have to put up with periods. She kisses his hand. An old lady tells him that her home isn’t a cathouse. They talk about how they might kiss someday.
Profanity – “crap”, “sucked,” “damn,” “screwed up,” “shit” (also in french – merde), “swear to God,” “goddamn,” “ass,” “asshole,” “bastard,” “piss off”, “hell,” “n—rs,” ( I’ve explained my objection to the n-word in prior posts. It is used multiple times in this book, with no letters omitted).
Death, Violence and Gore – A metal detector and pat down are part of getting into the school building. There is a class on gangs. Remi learns many slang words for killing. Remi tells a story about a volcano that erupted killing everyone in a Haitian village. One man shoots another on the train. A character’s father is dead. They talk about dead bodies and see skeletons. A man burns himself badly on a stove. A man is run down by a train. A girl is shot. There are a few murders.
Drugs, Alcohol and Smoking – Remi thinks he sees a man holding a cigarette. There is a class on drugs. Niya talks about the hood having crackheads and winos and dope smokers. Niya offers Remi wine and Remi explains how the French influence in Haiti means a different attitude towards alcohol. They drink wine. A man smokes. A character’s father used crack.
Frightening or Intense Things – Remi often compares life in the US to life in Port-au-Prince, noticing that no one at his US school is starving. The time travel aspect is closely tied with ghosts, to the point where it’s not really clear if they time traveled or if they just interacted with ghosts. It’s unlikely this would be scary for children that are comfortable with the rest of the content.
