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FEBRUARY 4, 2012
Pigeon English and Readalikes
Pigeon English by Stephan Kelman 
Recently emigrated from Ghana, Harri moves with his mum and sis to London. Full of gang-slang, Harri’s infectious voice charms readers, as he tries to solve a neighborhood murder.

 

 

If you enjoyed Harri's journey, you might also enjoy Chris Cleave’s breakthrough 2008 novel Little Bee for the issues and Room and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime for the charming voice.

Straddling two continents, Little Bee hails from Nigeria yet finds herself on the run in England. The two locales are bound by a horrific incident she encounters with a British couple on holiday near the conflict-ridden Niger River Delta. This novel is so remarkably different, with such a unique voice and compelling story that you won’t quit until it’s finished. A stunning story that breaks your heart with horror and makes you smile through your tears at courage you know you'd never have.

Emma Donoghue’s Room and Mark Haddon’s The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime immediately draw you in through the voice of two young narrators, who both face compromising situations as they interface with the worlds of imprisonment and autism.

In Room, a 5-year-old narrates a riveting story about his life growing up in a single room where his mother aims to protect him from the man who has held her prisoner for 7 years since she was a teenager. Your compassion will overflow for the courage of both of the wonderful characters.



In Curious, Christopher, despite his overwhelming fear of interacting with the world, sets out to solve a mystery of the death of a neighbor’s dog. His mathematical genius and obscure preferences and phobias do not overshadow his human kindness and curiosity, they only endear us to him.


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