A Forest, A Flood, and An Unlikely Star

The Rwendigo Tales #3

by J.A. Myhre

Just thirteen-years-old, Kusiima has no time for school, sports, or hanging out with the other boys in his African village. With no father or mother to take care of him, he works long hours to support his grandmother and sickly baby sister. Then one day, Kusiima's life suddenly changes when he travels into a nearby protected forest. In the forest, Kusiima is presented with many choices, all with uncertain outcomes. Should he go along with illegal logging? Help to save an endangered baby gorilla? Follow a donkey to who knows where? With each choice, Kusiima has to make yet another decision about what is right in front of him. As he does, he meets a mysterious doctor who holds the key to his past and his future. In the end, Kusiima is faced with the hardest choice of all. Can he forgive a great wrong and heal a broken relationship? Readers of all ages won't want to put down this exciting book that addresses current realities like AIDS, malnutrition, and environmental destruction, all set in a richly detailed African adventure story. Following along as Kusiima makes his decisions, readers will find themselves considering their own choices and growing in empathy for others. This action-packed tale of a boy, his sister, and an orphaned gorilla is also a clear call to give up bitterness and forgive deep hurts, restoring broken lives and relationships. A Forest, a Flood, and an Unlikely Star is the third book in the Rwendigo Tale Series and follows Book One, A Chameleon, a Boy, and a Quest, and Book Two, A Bird, a Girl, and a Rescue.

Genres: Middle Grade, Childrens, Fiction, Christian

176 pages, Paperback

Published September 17, 2017

Reviews

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've enjoyed the other two books in this series, but I think this one has been my favorite. I've completely fell in love with these books. They're just beautiful stories, full of courage, and worthy of a spot on our shelves. This one had a bit of a different style than the other two, in that the animals never talk. One of them comes off intelligent, but never reveals things through words like they do in the other books. While I did connect with this book even more than the other two, I'm curious about the change.

Each book in this series was written as Christmas presents for the author's children for four years. (There's one more book to come.) From the time I read the first book, I've found this especially appealing to the books. It just makes them sweeter and more special.

In this particular book, we meet Kusiima. He lives with his grandmother and little sister, Ngonzi. Ngonzi is very sick, but Kusiima and his grandmother aren't sure how to help her, with such a limited income. Aside from working at his job, and worrying about his sister, he soon becomes mixed up with illegal activities. In the end, he has many choices to make.

While this book can be read perfectly fine alone, I do think it would be better to read it after the other two, just to understand the "Creator and Messengers" portion of the story. This part is briefly explained in the epilogue.

There are some parts, one in particular, that are disturbing. I'd probably wait a bit on reading this(or handing it over) to highly sensitive children. It doesn't hide the harsh realities of those living in Africa, like death, marriage to stay out of extreme poverty, AIDS, poaching, hunger, and so much more. (The author does say in her note that this book was written for older children and teens.)

Overall, this is a lovely series and I highly recommend them, especially if you want your children to "travel" to Africa for a little while.

*I was given a free copy of this book.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have never read a book like this before and it was delightful. The story follows Kusiima, a 13 year old boy who lives in Africa with his grandmother and younger sister, who is severely underweight and unhealthy. I loved the author’s descriptive writing…I was able to picture the scenes in the book very easily and felt like I was transported to Africa while reading. This book was what I think of as an “escape book”…it’s written in a way in that the reader truly escapes their current environment and enters the world of the book.
The plot was full of adventure, suspense, and drama. I found myself on the edge of my seat several times while reading. The illustrations were also delightful and provided a better glimpse into the world.
I adored Kusiima, he was a very strong, courageous young man of amazing character. I think this would be an excellent story for boys to read. It causes the reader to see that there are people in the world that don’t live as comfortably as those in the western world. In spite of Kusiima’s poor circumstances, he still persevered.
There was a bit of violence and some scenes that might be scary for younger readers.
I highly recommend this book and plan to pick up the other 2 in the series (this is book 3).
My Rating: 4.5 stars
I received this book from Litfuse Publicity Group to review.

[Leila Tualla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a lovely story that instantly pulled me in. I cried over Kusiima's eagerness to hear his grandmother tell him about his mother and their past, only to be met with the honesty and realities of what their life was then, and what uncertainties their life has now. Although, like most adolescents, you feel his stubbornness and struggles and fears, you also sense the transition period of understanding and hope and willingness towards the end. This book had adventure and life lessons that I appreciated and enjoyed. I especially loved the little illustrations sprinkled throughout the book. This was a good story for the young and a great reminder for us adults.

***I received this book in exchange for an honest review. However, these thoughts and opinions are my own. I'm not required to write a positive review.***

[Bree · Rating 4 out of 5]

Breathtakingly written this book will touch your heart and broaden your mind. Even though fictional the author has taken care to bring life to the story through realistic details.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

"All of my struggles and all that you've suffered because of me . . . . well, they are a part of our story. . . But they aren't the end of the story."

Living with his grandmother, after the death of his mother and the abandonment of his father, Kusiima is growing up into a young man. Working everyday selling charcoal in his small town, he earnestly desires to make sure that his small sister gets the medical attention that she needs. When an opportunity to earn extra income appears, Kusiima readily accepts; a decision that will change the course of his life forever.

Another engaging "Rwendigo Tale"!

Parents - if you are using this series as a read-aloud, please note that the content in this book does include more mature themes; brutal poachers and vague descriptions of the birthing process, both humans and animals.

[Beckie Burnham · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first became acquainted with J. A. Myhre’s writing when I read the first book in the Rwendigo Tales, A Chameleon, A Boy, And A Quest. I loved, loved, loved that book and gave it a highly recommended rating. So of course I jumped on the chance to review the third book in the series, A Forest, A Flood, And An Unlikely Star. This book takes place in the same fictional area of Africa and involves another child in an adventure. But this book has a decidedly darker atmosphere. It is billed as a novel for children in grades 3-7, and I would agree that is the reading level. But due to some of the harder topics explored, I would suggest parents preview the book for younger children. It is an intriguing and riveting read, and I rate it highly recommended.

Kamiisa is a thirteen year old boy whose world has undergone upheaval in the past year. His mother has died, his baby sister is seriously ill, and he lives a day-to-day existence working for pennies to support his family. His grandmother loves him, but she struggles with providing the basics of shelter and food. It is a bleak existence for a boy who loves to read and learn. Because of his circumstances, Kamiisa has learned to nurture hatred in his heart — especially hatred for his absent father. God seems far off and uninterested or uncaring of what befalls him. But a couple of unlikely characters, a baby gorilla and a donkey, bring a spark of hope to his life.

Myhre is a doctor and missionary in East Africa. She first told her stories to her 4 children. I am glad that she wrote her stories down and developed them to share with other children — children who know nothing about the hardships of poverty, disease, political strife, and the struggle to survive one day at a time. Although A Forest, A Flood, And An Unlikely Star takes place is a fictional African nation, the book reflects the realities of living in Africa. Kamiisa is an endearing character. As the story progresses, his emotional and spiritual growth progresses. What was a life of despair becomes a life of hope and promise. The spiritual thread that is developed is subtle but strong, and is a great starting point for discussions about God’s care and provision. Tough issues are explored in a matter-of-fact way — showing that for the people of Africa they are a way of life.

I would not hesitate to recommend this book to families with elementary and middle school-aged children, but as stated above, I would suggest that parents check it out first. Parents know what their kids are ready for.

Highly Recommended.

Audience: children ages 9+ and adults.

(Thanks to LitFuse and New Growth Publishers for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

What is it like to grow up in the jungles of Africa? That's what J.A. Myhre sought to depict for her children through her Rwendigo Tales. Originally written as Christmas presents, but now, a gift shared with a wider audience, Myhre shows rather than tells her readers what it is like to grow up in the jungles of Africa. Her experience as a doctor who has served with Serge in East Africa for over two decades uniquely qualifies her to present the distinct challenges of those living in the African jungles. A Forest, a Flood, and an Unlikely Star is the third book in her series, aimed at youth, which takes us on a journey with thirteen-year-old Kusiima and his family. Each book is set in the same general region and follows different characters, so they do not have to be read in a specific order. In her Introduction, Myhre informs us that:

"Events in this book have their roots in the real lives of real people who love each other and raise their families in places increasingly affected by the same injustices the boy in this story struggles with: loss of those he loves, disease [AIDS], poverty, deforestation, poaching, and rebel movements" (pg. v).

I thoroughly enjoyed A Forest, a Flood, and an Unlikely Star over a rainy Sunday afternoon and evening despite the fact that it is a somewhat "heavy" book gently introducing young people to the brokenness and complexity of this world. Although it doesn't expressly tell how the Gospel makes a difference in Kusiima's life or how the Gospel gives hope to those facing sin and suffering, it lends itself well to that discussion. Myhre's writing is engaging, wholesome, and age-appropriate while avoiding over-simplicity in vocabulary, plot, and conflict and is a thought-provoking introduction to life in the jungles of Africa.

*Many thanks to New Growth Press and Litfuse Publicity Group for a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion!

[victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very inspiring, great writing and compelling to read with a beautiful story an adventure of a young 13 year old boy with his family that was struggling for facing for life living. The book also will bring us to traveling and exploring along with his journey to protect a forest in African from the out side world. It’s hard to put this book down when you start to read in every page of the story was very exciting and challenges for all us to following all the passion and the decision that all the character had make and facing together in their life. I highly recommend to everyone must to read this book. “ I received complimentary a copy of this book from Litfuse Publicity for this review “

[Carolina Hinojosa-Cisneros · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is J.A. Myhre’s third book in The Rwendigo Tales series. In it we travel along with Kusiima, the story’s main character, through an inner quest to find more about his late mother. Leaving behind Kusiima and Ngozi, Kusiima’s baby sister, we read that they live with their grandmother in a East Africa.
This young adult novel is action-packed and rich in story telling. Kusiima must make the biggest choice of his life when faced with death, brokenness, and ultimately, restoration.
My favorite chapter is when Kusiima battles through the forest with two unlikely friends. His endurance and love for the animal kingdom is uplifting. It is sure to engage any teenager with a love for animals.
I could relate to Kusiima’s trials of growing up without a father and living with his grandma. I admired his will and his spirit. When faced with a daunting task, he is up for it with grace and humility.
I highly recommend this book and am eager to read the first two books in this series. It makes a beautiful gift for teens, including adults. I am very fond of the illustrations by Acacia Masso. They are black and white sketches that add to the breadth of the text.
Don’t miss out on this special young adult novel.

[Deana Dick · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking for a great book for your preteen or older, I recommend that you grab this book as soon as you can. It is adventurous and filled with a story that keeps you engaged till the end. The author can really hold an audience with her words that make you feel part of the story. I loved the description of the forest and the area in Africa. I felt like I was right there as the rain poured so hard you could barely hear yourself breathe.

The main character of the book is thirteen year old Kusiima. He is determined and I loved his devotion to his grandmother and sister. He has had a hard life since his mother passed away. With his baby sister so ill, he tries so hard to find work and buy medicine for her. My heart ached for his sister barely clinging to life. The poverty in the area he lived with his grandmother was so hard to grasp. I wanted to take Kusiima and his family to a safe place so they could eat and get warm.

Kusiima gets involved with something that he finds out is dangerous while trusting his boss. Oh that made me so mad to see those men not care for his safety and to not worry when they couldn’t find him. Kusiima has a strength in him that kicks in when he realizes he is on his own while lost in the forest. The story is riveting at times and I loved the animals he came in contact with. Will God help Kusiima find his way home? Don’t miss this adventure that reminds us that God is always there. I especially liked the illustrations throughout the book. It was a nice addition to help visualize the story.

I received a copy of this book from LitFuse. The review is my own opinion.

[Becky Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Third in The Rwendigo Tales, J.A. Myhre’s A Forest, a Flood, and an Unlikely Star is a heartfelt story of a young boy struggling to care for his grandmother and younger sister after the desertion of his father and his mother’s untimely death.

Set in the center continent of Africa, readers unfamiliar with the culture should refer to the terms glossary beginning on page 161.  This reader stumbled a bit with the unfamiliar words, not finding the glossary until the story’s conclusion.

Forced to drop out of school and support his family, at the tender age of 13, Kusiima bears a heavy load.  His story plods along picking up speed when he’s offered the opportunity to earn more money than the few shillings he makes selling coal in the market.  From here the story twists and turns in so many ways the ending will leave every reader with their mouths gaping open.

For animal lovers, silver backed gorillas and a donkey named Nsoli play an integral part in this tear inducing tale.  A juvenile fiction offering many life lessons, A Forest, a Flood, and Unlikely Star is an enjoyable tale.

*A complimentary copy of the book was provided in exchange for this review.

[Sarah Smith Storm · Rating 4 out of 5]

An adventures story set in the jungle will have you captivated from the first chapter until the story ends. I found myself wondering if I would make the same decisions and Kusiima and I couldn't believe some of the choices he had to make. I was in awe and I also felt deeply privileged to read such an amazing book. I enjoyed that this book was a quick read and it appealed to my heart very much. I think young Tweens and teens would like this book. The illustrations added character to the book. I give this book 4.5/ 5 stars. Give this book a read. I think you will enjoy it. Thank you to the publishers for a copy. A favorable review was not required.

[Jessica Baker (A Baker's Perspective) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of Kusiima touched my heart. As a reader you cannot help but be saddened by the poverty, illnesses and poaching that you read about. It is absolutely heart breaking. However, in the midst of that, J.A. Myhre was able to paint a picture of hope.

Kusiima is a strong character that is simply trying to do what is best for his family. I loved the chapters were his grandmother told him of his mother and how he came to be. She was warm, yet honest. While some disagree with her honesty in that moment, I feel that it was necessary and added to the story. It also helped to build Kusiima’s character. His story could have turned out so much differently had his grandmother not told him the truth.

Two extra things that were great about this book – the illustrations and glossary at the end. I found it easier to connect with the setting by having some of the writing in the native language. Having the glossary in the back made it that much easier to follow. The illustrations confirmed what I had already pictured in my head. For a YA book, it may help break up the heavy overtones a little as well.

I think that people of all ages will enjoy this book. It provides hope and encouragement, and was beautifully written. I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

"A Forest, a Flood and an Unlikely Star" by author J.A. Myhre is the third book in this series called The Rwendigo Tales. This is about a boy named Kusiima who is only 13 years old. He is in Africa and he is just learning about life and how your actions will affect the rest of your life. It is a story with a lot of twists and turns and will keep you interested from the very beginning of the book. This is a book for anyone of any age to read and enjoy. I give this book a 5/5. I was given this book by Litfuse Publicity Group and all opinions are mine.

[Sydney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book three in the Rwendigo Tales series, A Forest, a Flood, and an Unlikely Star by J.A. Myhre is a fun adventure read for kids. From page one, Myhre brings to life the many delightful characters with excellent and captivating story telling. The rich culture of Africa as well as the beautiful and imaginative fantasy world brought to life in the book are both interesting and enchanting. Young readers will not want to miss or put down this delightful and charming African fantasy tale!

Genre: children’s, fantasy, cultural, Africa, Christian
Publisher: New Growth Press
Publication date: September 18, 2017
Number of pages: 144

A review copy of this book was provided LitFuse. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

[Rhianwen the Elf-Heart · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book wasn't junk. It wasn't fluff either. It was simply written by somebody who clearly didn't have a lot of experience or expertise, and so it was really, really hard to slog through. It wasn't long, but it was kind of boring and rambling and I didn't really know where it was going ever. The whole thing was just kind of all over the place. It did almost no "showing" and mostly "telling," so it basically just felt like a super long and tedious summary. The title sort of added to this rambling, summary-like effect because the title is basically just a list of all the places the main character goes in reverse order. Those places weren't the important part of the story, though the "Unlikely Star" (which is a character) was important, but she definitely shouldn't have been. And she definitely wasn't the focus of the book. Also, there were a lot of things that were downright implausible, especially the fact that the donkey was so intelligent.

But what really made this book so hard to get through was the realization that this is probably what my writing is like, and that made me really depressed because this author isn't bad, just amateur, which is what I am, and if that fact can make a book so difficult to read then is it even worth trying to write? (Of course in my case, I know it is because right now I'm writing to learn and not to publish, so of course I'll get better, but this book made me not write for however long I was reading because it was really depressing how much the sloppy writing made the story not worth reading.)

Now, if you're wondering why I didn't just give this book one star it's because (again) it really wasn't junk. The idea was good, and had it been born in the mind of a more competent writer then I think this would have been a very good book. Which is again, kind of depressing because I have really good ideas and can't do justice to them because I'm not a competent writer either.

So maybe you will enjoy this book more than me if you're not an author, but coming from the perspective of an inexperienced author this book was downright depressing.

End of rant.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kusiima is a thirteen year old, boy but unlike the average kids his age, he has no time for school or having fun. An orphan living with his grandmother and sister, he has to work long hours to support his makeshift family. Kusiima barely makes enough to support his aging grandmother and his sickly sister when he was presented with a once in a lifetime opportunity. The owner of a prominent charcoal company asked Kusiima to accompany him to his next charcoal expedition. However, when Kusiima realizes they are entering a protected forest where it is illegal to cut down the trees, Kusiima is surrounded by several decisions. Would Kusiima do what is best for his family? Will Kusiima be able to do what is right if it means that his family would suffer?

The short story was an interesting read. It showcased a lot of problems children from third world countries face that children in the first world would take for granted. Children in the United States complain about going to school when many children in other countries don't even have the option of attending school. However, I felt like while the story had a "happy ending", there might be a lot of topics that are too dark and stressful for the target age demographics such as AIDS, abandonment, children dying from starvation, lack of health care, degradation of natural environments, and hopelessness. While, it can be a good tool to let young ones to be more aware and to show them to treat others and Mother Earth with generosity and compassion it would be better to pair this with additional conversation to overwhelm young readers.

[Barbara Desmond · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was kindly sent a copy of this book from Litfuse in exchange for a review.

Sadly I couldn't get into this book. I stopped at almost the halfway point. I do think this book would work for mood readers since it just seems to scream read me during the spring or summer. The title is very interesting. That's what got my attention and I do like the cover. I also really like the pictures inside. More books should have pictures in them.

This is a really short book but it just dragged for me. Usually I would have finished a book like this pretty quickly but I struggled to keep reading. I think the writing style just didn't mesh with me. This is a slow paced book since it is about a boy and his family who live in Africa. I'm okay with a slower paced book but I honestly was bored during this. Not much was going on.

I do appreciate that there's a glossary in the back so you can look up words that you're unfamiliar with. I'm sure we've all come across at least one book while reading that could have benefited from that. I also think the way it was written might turn some people off. There's a lot of text and very little dialogue. But there are also times where there's a ton of dialogue. It just didn't have a good blend of dialogue and text.

[Elisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

My daughter just turned 8 a few months ago. She had such fun reading this book with me. The story was clearly developed in the prior books but it was still a lot of fun to read this book and with my daughter. I loved the morals that were in this story too. It was fun to see my daughter get involved in the story-line and see the bravery and courage in the characters. I thought it was neat how the one animal that is perceived as intelligent doesn't speak but uses other means to communicate, like Harpo Marx! All in all, this was a great story that I completely enjoyed, my daughter loved, and I look forward to reading the two previous books (even though this could be read as a stand a lone).

For my full review, go to:
http://bookjunkiemom.blogspot.com/201...

[Abbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Third in the series

It's been a few years since I've read the first two of the Rwendigo Tales, but I loved the touches of magical realism in an otherwise realistic fiction story. I've come across so few chapter books for children (even the tween and teen groups) that have such a positive outlook without being "gritty" or overly dark. And it seems especially true of books set in Africa. I thoroughly enjoyed this, though perhaps not as well as the first two in the series. The author deftly weaves a story touching on tough topics like Aids, rebel groups, i deforestation, gorilla poaching, poverty, and abandonment, yet the story is not dark or depressing, but determinedly hopeful with a satisfying, though somewhat rushed, conclusion.

[Carrie Dehart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Third in a series, these books have been a fantastic introduction to many aspects of life in Africa, as seen through the eyes of children. Hard things are talked about (orphans, rejection, poverty, poaching, rebel groups, etc) but there is always a thread of hope that make these books ultimately uplifting. We have read these out loud as a family, with children ranging from 4-11, and have had some great conversations as a result. I highly recommend them to anyone looking to introduce their children to some of the various scenarios and cultural aspects of life in Africa!

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Rwendigo tale for children set in Africa. The main character, Kusiima, is struggling to care for his grandmother and his severely ill infant sister by selling bundles of charcoal for Mr. Mugabe. Thanks to a donkey named Nsoli, or star, Kusiima is led to make a big difference in the lives of others and in his own. Terrific story with great illustrations, as well as a glossary in the back for defining words in the book from Swahili or Luwendigo dialect.

[Meagan | The Chapter House · Rating 2 out of 5]

I unfortunately couldn't get into A Forest, A Flood, and an Unlikely Star. The back-cover description looked fascinating; I simply didn't find its execution interesting, or the characters compelling.

I received a free copy of the book from Litfuse. All opinions are my own.

[Deborah Olofinkuade]

Sucks I want to read for free so if I like I buy sucker! >:(

[Allie Fullerton (thelightfilledreader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love love love this series!