One Thousand Hills

by James Roy, Noel Zihabamwe

Agabande, Rwanda, April 1994. The children in the village are doing childlike things, playing with toys they make themselves, going to school and church on Sunday. Doing their chores. But there are whispers and looks, and messages of hate on the radio, and people are leaving. Pascal is a good boy, trying his best, but the world he knows is about to change forever.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, School, Survival, Historical, Contemporary

229 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2016

Reviews

[Rosanne Hawke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished reading One Thousand Hills by James Roy & Noel Zihabamwe and couldn't sleep. Like The Bone Sparrow One Thousand Hills has an important story we need to know. I didn't know the details of this one in Rwanda, plus One Thousand Hills has a plot that builds. Besides showing a boy's daily life (Pascal), which is interesting in itself, (and clever as it shows the stark contrast with the evil that comes later), One Thousand Hills also portrays the rising tension in the country and brings the story to its terrible climax. I couldn't stop thinking of those poor people and could imagine the feeling of not being safe. The authors made me connect with the characters. It takes skill to draw the reader away from the writing and technique to so immerse the reader in the character's story. This is one story I'll be repeating - 800,000 deaths which were largely ignored by the west. My husband also thought it was a powerful story. I had a question though - I never worked out why there was this ethnic cleansing. The Hutus and Tutsi weren't single religion groups so it couldn't have been based entirely on religion. Maybe there are no straight answers.

[Dimity Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have no words. Powerful and wrenching yet achingly beautiful. Roy and Zibhabamwe have given one boy a voice among an ocean of hundreds of thousands that were silenced without reason or mercy. And it rings loud and pure. Essential reading. Read my full review at Boomerang Books Blog, here. http://blog.boomerangbooks.com.au/pow...

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is similar to Patricia McCormick's "Never Fall Down", in that it tells the story of a horrific historical event through the eyes of a child survivor. This means the reader does not always have all the information and could affect your understanding if you don't know anything about 1994's Rwandan Genocide.

It does mean, however, that the story is told is simple vocabulary and without a lot of political background, which makes the story more accessible. This is an incredibly powerful book, and a painful reminder of the terrible things that can happen while the rest of the world just looks on.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is set in Rwanda in 1994, leading up to the genocide of the Tutsi people. Real world events through the eyes of a ten year old, who didn't really understand what was happening. It's told in third person flashback recounts, which does distance you a little from the events, but for one of the authors it's an own voice account of his childhood, before he eventually came to Australia as a refugee in his twenties. Which makes this all the more harrowing.
Most of the book is Pascal living his life, doing chores, going to church and to school, fighting with his annoying older brother, and hiding in his secret clubhouse with his best friend. Clues are peppered throughout that things are building behind the scenes, but it takes until about three quarters through the book for things to come to a head. There's no graphic violence on page, keeping it toned down for the audience, but there is mention of death and murder and bodies and mutilation of corpses. Honestly, it's pretty big for a middle grade reader to take on. No doubt the author still has nightmares of these events, and I think a lot of kids reading it would too. Especially when they read the end and find out it's all real. It's going to leave an impact.

[Ceren · Rating 1 out of 5]

Had to read this for a freelance job and now I would like the two days I spent on this book to be given back to me *sigh*

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good junior novel about the Rwandan genocide.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Coming soon…

I just write a stack… and lost it 🙈

[Miss Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm glad there are stories like this to peak interest into history, to deal with life which is otherwise too difficult to discuss, and to warn against the cruelty of humankind. All too often, stories of tragedy are told through the innocent voices of children and we cringe in the knowledge that they grew up far too fast. For eternity, bad things have happened to good people and Moises, Ravinda, Jean-Baptiste, Pascal and Nadine were good. In the battle of cockroaches vs Jolts, it is sad to think that those in a position to help and comfort, chose otherwise: "We are Hutu first, we are Catholic second" (228) and that many were brainwashed: "Cockroaches. They asked for it, you know. The guy on the radio has been saying that -" (213) "You kill one, but then there's always another five or ten or a hundred hidden in the shadows." (157)
Apart from the history, there's a lot for teachers to explore with classes: extended metaphors, foreshadowing, the innocent narrator, authentic dialogue, allusion, use of humour and parallel constructions (the closing and bolting of doors by several characters).
It reminded me of 'The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas' and 'Tomorrow, When the War Began' as well as the film 'Hotel Rwanda'.

[mehar jaitely · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pascal's personal account of the 1994 Rwandan genocide blends together themes of innocence, religion and war perfectly. This is a beautiful and heart crushing tale of innocence being lost and war at it's saddest and worst. For the lovers of historical fiction, it's a must read for sure. I haven't read a lot of historical fiction but I feel like it's amazing and this book made me love it even more.

Pacal's innocence prevents him from seeing the truth of what's happening around him and his character develops thoroughly by the end of the book as he is left behind with just his sister by his side. His pain and mature way of dealing is reflected in the way he has to step in the role of an elder brother as Nadine is trying to grapple with the truth of what has happened. This is a beautiful and heart crushing tale of innocence being lost and war at it's saddest. James reflects emotions of Pascal and the fear of the oppressed really hits home. The role of religion and the overpowering influence of it but also the unjustness of it are so complex to understand but Pascal brings it home easily and the complexity just feels really simple somehow. Pascal's parents attempts at keeping his innocence intact and their pain is beautifully written. The little quarrels and banter of the siblings in the first half of the book along with the friendship between Henry and Pascal are a mere memory when you think about what happened next.

I can't help but feel compelled to almost learn more about the genocide that went on for 100 days and wiped over more than half of the population and all for a mere difference in culture. The shocking tales and anecdotes of what happened to the people around Pascal mortified me, the bodies hanging on the trees looking at the kids as they ran were chilling to read of. The ambiguity regarding Pascal's elder brother and mother felt unjust as a reader but on a second look it was just reflecting the real and raw nature of the text and the horrifying genocide that had happened.

[Rae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although it ended up being somewhat good in the end, the majority of the book felt boring and like it was droning on. I feel more time could have been spent on the actual event rather than the ones leading up to it. Some of the scenes written in felt unnecessary and didn't have any relevance to what was going to happen. Overall, I rate this book 3 stars because while I liked it more toward the end, it's definitely far from one of the best things I've read.

[Roslyn Page · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book very sad but so well written. I liked the story being told in dual times. The very matter of factness about the interviewing process and the boy's history. I liked the emphasis on the normality of life. But how horrible referring to people as cockroaches. A great collaboration between the two authors

[Tisha Adelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

To be honest, I did not like the book in the beginning. I also did not like the ending because it did not tell me anymore information about Pascal's family. This book also isn't my type. I like drama filled books and this one has drama but it's mostly about the genocide. I would probably recommend this to someone who likes historical fiction. I would not read this book again.

[Sue Mosher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is well written and gives you some idea what it might have been like to be a child in Rwanda at the time of the genocide. Very disturbing but toned down (a bit) for a younger audience. Makes you realize how subtle references to a group of people as "other" can grow into hatred and murder. Scary.

[Sarah Thornton]

You know going into a book set in Rwanda in the 90s that it's going to be tough.

I was expecting it to be tougher but perhaps I was too forewarned. The details weren't something I'd ever looked up but most massacres are similar. The mother and baby part was probably the worst, and it could have been worse.

Palatable for the target audience (children/YA) while still cruelly accurate.

[Xandria · Rating 2 out of 5]

in my opinion the book didnt really have a good starting. it started off really rough and it was really not my type of book. it was an alright book but i wouldnt read again or recommend. the ending was really great and amazing but that was in like the last 25 pages.

[Kerryn Lawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the subject was tough I felt the book was beautifully written for a young adult audience. The innocence of childhood shattered by the atrocities of a war not of their own making. I cannot even begin to imagine all that they suffered.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

it's astonishing to me that the world events in Rwanda in 94 were kept to hidden to me as a child. At the time I would have been in grade 4, is this too young of an age to tell children about the horrific things happening in the world? i read this book because, like so many people I know of the genocide, but I am very far off from understanding it. I really loved how the book kept me asking questions, I wasn't truly certain about Pascal's family "side" until later in the book. it left the door open for people to be angry about what happened, about the indifference of the west and the scary real power of hate and fear.
I will be adding this to my class library (grade 7's) because these stories make up the fabric of our identity

[Penny Jaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book about genocide. But it's also a book about one small boy and his survival against incredible odds. The content is heartbreaking and yet so gently done through a child's/young person's perspective that it's aching and beautiful at the same time.

[Alyssa Shapland · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really powerful and moving book on the genocide in Rwanda. It's a poignant reminder that this happened not that long ago - not long enough ago to ever be acceptable. It's a tough story, but one we need to read.

[Kyra · Rating 1 out of 5]

Probably the worst book I've ever read. I couldn't connect with the characters and it took almost 200 pages to get to the climax which was predictable and short. Not only that, but it only showed less than a day of the genocide. I'm extremely disappointed.

[Yeslech · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very stilted because it uses an interview style of storytelling off and on throughout the novel. Very slow moving at first and then the ending is rushed without going into important resolution details.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a real page turner. So amazing I just wanted more after every page. It picked up so fast and I love the last sentence.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mmm... really wanted to like this more but have to say I found it a little "basic" (I didn't realise it was a YA book). I wanted more details. Harrowing and an amazing insight however.

[Esther Hong · Rating 3 out of 5]

Subtle and tactful. More lies in what was unsaid.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Important read for students. Very strong imaging.

[Aline-Mwezi Niyonsenga · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think that this book works really well as an insight into the real human lives of people who went through this horrible event. Beautifully written collaboration.

[Jorja Dominguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

beautifully written. so creative. tore me apart and i don’t think i’ll ever be able to recover. if you ever need a book to throw at the wall at 3 am while reading it, this is the one.

[:) · Rating 5 out of 5]

BEST BOOK
so challenging with tough topics but told through a child’s perspective
Just breathtaking

[Vera · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Rwandan genocide, told in the voice of innocent young Pascal. What a horror! Hatred and violence as old as time. The mess of mankind.

[Kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

I expected more. It's an important issue that should have more light shed on it, but I feel as though the ending was rushed. I would have liked to know more about the journey from then to now, but it's wrapped up before you know it.