It is the wise old woman of the village who teaches young Sofia about the secrets in the fire. Within the flames hide all things past and all things yet to be. But not even old Muazena can see the horrors the fire holds for Sofia and her family not the murderous bandits who drive them from their home, and not the landmine that takes Sofia's legs. In her long journey toward recovery, Sofia must still deal with growing up. Along the way, she discovers friends, and foes, in places she'd never expected. Through it all, Sofia draws on a strength she never knew she had, a fire of her own that's been a secret all along. In beautifully spare, unsentimental language, Henning Mankell's stunning novel puts a very human face on the suffering in Africa.

Author Biography

Henning Mankell is one of Sweden's best-selling authors. His works for children have earned him several awards, including the prestigious "Astrid Lindgren Prize." Secrets in the Fire won the "2002 Sankei Children's Publishing Culture Award." Anne Connie Stuksrud has published two short-story collections for young adults and is currently working on her third book.