Rwanda is a small, African country that was torn apart by genocide. In a country of nine million, nearly a million were slaughtered between May and mid-June, 1994. These numbers would have been much greater, if it wasn't for the brave and courageous stance of ordinary heroes, such as Paul Rusesabagina.

Paul was the manager of a hotel, and for about 100 days, he managed to keep almost 1,300 refugees safe from the violence that surged about them on all sides by drawing on all of his skills as a hotel manager. Dramatic, gripping, and exciting, you'll cheer for Paul as he manages to keep hundreds of people alive for one more day.

The bluejay tribe and the tribe of cardinals had peacefully coexisted in the forest, until they each began suspecting the other of stealing their food, stealing their supplies, and most importantly-- raiding their nests. However, it turns out that the vicious hawk, Turnatt, is attempting to divide them in preparation for a raid on their respective clans for slaves. He and his band of crows and ravens descend upon the woodbirds, and the only way they can save themselves is to summon the legendary Swordbird...

Nancy Yi Fan was 12 years old when she wrote her book, so it slants a bit young-- this book is kept in our juvie section, after all. The proofreading is a bit sloppy in places, with more typos than a HarperCollins book should permit, and there is no "main character", per se, so it's a little difficult to become engrossed in the story, since perspective changes so rapidly. But it's a fun read if you like anthropomorphic fiction, with animals that have generally been overlooked: humble, ordinary birds that you may well find in your backyard. And the illustrations are fantastic! If you're a young writer looking to finish your own novel, Fan's book may well inspire you to polish up your draft and submit.