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Under the Same Moon
Abena Udate was selling mangos on a humid market day in her Mozambican village when she caught the eye of a wandering foreigner. Kidnapped and brought to live in suburban America, the African teenager struggles with the glaring cultural and social differences of her new life. Abena is expected to play along with her kidnapper's story -- she's just another hungry child plucked from a desolate country and saved by foreign adoption -- or else. As her younger brother Kupela searches for clues to explain her disappearance, Abena must decide whether to remain with a family she doesn't love for a life of luxury, or find a way home to those she loves in a world of despair.
- GenresFiction
362 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
November 2, 2010
Congrats Kelli on a great first novel! I loved it & at the end I couldn't put it down. I enjoyed hearing about life in Africa & learning about the two main characters' journey. Well done!
January 4, 2011
While this book sounded interesting to me, it is not in my favored genres of books. I added it to my "to-read" shelf where it would have sat for years before I finally got around to reading it. But thankfully someone put the book and my hand and I had no choice but to read it. And I'm very glad I did!
Under the Same Moon was beautifully written, heartbreaking at times and joyous and hopeful throughout.
I didn't discover the language translation pages in the back of the book until I was 150 pages in. I wish there was more Spanish translation. Many times (especially towards the end of the book), I'd look for the English translation for a Spanish word or phrase and it wasn't listed. I know less than 10 words of Spanish, so I became frustrated. Luckily the last 40 pages of this book are fast paced and impossible to put down.
Congratulations to Kelli on her first novel. I hope this book gets more attention nationally!
Under the Same Moon was beautifully written, heartbreaking at times and joyous and hopeful throughout.
I didn't discover the language translation pages in the back of the book until I was 150 pages in. I wish there was more Spanish translation. Many times (especially towards the end of the book), I'd look for the English translation for a Spanish word or phrase and it wasn't listed. I know less than 10 words of Spanish, so I became frustrated. Luckily the last 40 pages of this book are fast paced and impossible to put down.
Congratulations to Kelli on her first novel. I hope this book gets more attention nationally!
December 29, 2016
I love being immediately sucked into a story, knowing this is a novel I won't be able to put down. The characters came to life as Kelli weaved several stories together beautifully. Having lived in Phoenix and traveled to Beira, Mozambique, I enjoyed the accurate and thorough descriptions of both places. I especially enjoyed the complexity Kelli shows of life in luxury and life in poverty. She contrasts what causes ruin, offers happiness or gives meaning. Sympathy is felt for even the "bad guys" as they self-destruct despite wealth or poverty. And for a first novel, wow!
April 24, 2011
Excited to finish this as it's authored by one of my very best friends. I'm so proud of her!
UPDATE: I've finished. This book was exceptionally fun for me to read since I could feel by BFF all throughout the pages. It took me a while to really get into it, but when I did I couldn't wait to get to the end. I loved the parallels between the girl working in Africa and returning home and the girl kidnapped from Africa. I also really enjoyed the tension in the last pages!
UPDATE: I've finished. This book was exceptionally fun for me to read since I could feel by BFF all throughout the pages. It took me a while to really get into it, but when I did I couldn't wait to get to the end. I loved the parallels between the girl working in Africa and returning home and the girl kidnapped from Africa. I also really enjoyed the tension in the last pages!
September 12, 2010
congratulations to kelli on her first novel!
and it is fantastic.
excellent characters with depth and flaws, topical and interesting subject matter, thoroughly researched, brilliantly interwoven plot and the best part - it's involving and pacey. the action keeps rolling and the story keeps developing.
bravo, kelli! already looking forward to your next novel (no pressure, or anything). :)
and it is fantastic.
excellent characters with depth and flaws, topical and interesting subject matter, thoroughly researched, brilliantly interwoven plot and the best part - it's involving and pacey. the action keeps rolling and the story keeps developing.
bravo, kelli! already looking forward to your next novel (no pressure, or anything). :)
May 18, 2011
I am a little bit biased because the author of this book is someone I know and love through the internets. She has woven together a great story with nicely developed characters and a plot that keeps you wondering how it will all work out. Kelli published this book herself and I am so glad that she did - it was a story I enjoyed getting lost in.
October 1, 2010
Once I started this novel I could not put it down. Excellent, well developed characters. Fast pasted plot that ties together quite nicely in the end. I cried. Read this book people.
May 26, 2011
Wonderful, wonderful book that made me feel closer to my friend, the author, Kelli; renewed my desire to go to Africa; and swelled my heart with the love and familiarity of Phoenix.
January 17, 2019
A truly enjoyable read that I basically devoured in a day. A well-written, heartbreaking, gorgeous story that I was sad to see end.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews