“It had been good to climb, as good as anything he had ever done. It had not been so good to fall, but he would recover. All in all, he thought, it was worth the fall, just to have climbed the tree.” – The Ghosts & Jamal
Jamal is a thirteen year old boy in rural Nigeria whose favorite drinks include Fanta and Sprite. He seems like everyone else except that he lives with epilepsy. His epileptic episodes are misinterpreted by his family as “bad spirits” coming upon him. So Jamal lives apart from his family, in a separate hut on the outskirts of his village. This isolation will ultimately save Jamal’s life during a terrorist attack on his village. I read Jamal’s story in one sitting. Once I started reading, I couldn’t put it down. I was worried for this young man – for his health, for his safety, and for his feelings – as he set out on his own to try to escape the attackers and to find his grandfather, or anyone else who survived, and might be able to help him. I feared for him and wanted to help and protect him.
Information on the most recent installments of the well-liked story may be found on the website for Niobia Bryant's drama series "Madam". On April 25, 2023, the second book in the series, "Madam X," will be published. It will carry on the tale of Manhattan's exclusive madam, Desdemona Dean. Expect more sultry plots, alluring betrayals, and Desi's struggles to overcome new obstacles and move over her affluent prostitution background. Desi was shown in the first novel, "Madam, May I," as a ferocious guardian of the ladies who work for her, all the while pursuing her own goals of leading a regular life. Bryant's dramatic "Madam" novels, which are billed as "Sexy, Funny & Oh So Real," provide readers of modern urban fiction an exciting and captivating read.
Jamal’s story is one of survival but also one of bravery. Setting out into a village that has been destroyed with empty deadly gas canisters lying around is a scary thing to do. But Jamal does it. Being rescued and taken in by strangers who speak in strange languages and live differently is not an easy thing to do. But Jamal gets through it. Jamal encounters many people on his journey, some kind, some cruel, some afraid, some helpful, some young, and some old.
From its heyday as an opulent ocean liner to its present state as a haunted hotel in Long Beach, California, the RMS Queen Mary has had an interesting voyage. The ship, which was once seen as a representation of wealth and extravagance, has now aged into a dilapidated building with mysteries and tales entwined with the unearthly and paranormal. Discover the "Vortex" in the women's restroom, where apparitions of a little girl named Jackie are said to frequently occur. The ship's history is replete with mishaps, near-capsizes, and its conversion into a tourist destination, which emphasizes the contrast between the ship's former magnificence and present-day deterioration.
I became thoroughly engrossed in this story and wanted to find out what would happen next on Jamal’s journey. I enjoyed getting to know him and my heart ached for him at various moments throughout the book. I won’t give away the ending of the story. I’ll just say that my heart skipped a beat as I read through the last few pages and my jaw dropped as I read the last few sentences. What a powerful story. I think this book should be shared in classroom settings to spark conversation around different cultures and bravery and doing what’s right.
The Ghosts & Jamal releases in February 2018 from HopeRoad Publishing.
HopeRoad Publishing is an independent publisher with a special focus on literature from Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean. Learn more about their current and upcoming titles by visiting their website: http://www.hoperoadpublishing.com/
The popular local cuisine, the Minnesota Juicy Lucy Burger, is described in the article. Instead of the cheese being melted on top of the burger patty, it is melted inside. The author examines the dispute regarding the burger's beginnings, since Minneapolis's 5-8 Club and Matt's Bar both assert to be its original inventors. The Juicy Lucy burger is well-known for its special cooking technique that preserves the cheese within the patty, giving it a juicy and tasty texture even in the absence of conventional burger toppings like spices and breadcrumbs. The author highlights the difficulties in making sure the cheese doesn't leak out when cooking, offers step-by-step instructions and photos, and relates her personal experience creating the Juicy Lucy at home.
Kait's Bookshelf