listening for Lions

Image courtesy of harpercollins.com

I mean, isn’t the title alone enough to make you read this book?!

Listening for Lions is perfect for fans of historical fiction. If you enjoy books by Linda Sue Park or Elizabeth George Speare, give it a read! 

I’d like to introduce you to Rachel Sheridan, a sweet, curious tween gal living in Africa with her missionary parents. Her parents run a medical center in a remote African village, but their lives are at risk when the influenza pandemic reaches their sheltered town. 

Ok, so let’s skip the sad details, but a few chapters in, Rachel is now an orphan living alone in an influenza-wracked village. Moving on. The richest couple in the town takes her under their wing, but they force Rachel to pretend that she is their daughter, to hide the fact that their daughter just passed away. They force Rachel to travel to England alone and live with the grandfather of their deceased daughter. It’s all a ploy to allow the couple to get back into the man’s good graces (and his large will). 

Along the way, Rachel tries to run away as well to reveal the truth to the elderly and ill grandfather, but she can’t bring herself to. Does she...love him? The story winds up beautifully, but even as Rachel grows to love England, she longs for Africa. Will she ever return?

Have fun reading Listening for Lions! It can be sad at times, but definitely not unbearable, and is a great for the historical fiction lover. It’s full to the brim with beautiful descriptions of African life and nature, as well as great stories of determination, following dreams and adapting. ️

Lots of love from,
A