Mesi: A Girl ’n Grace in Africa

by: Pam Davis

Published by: Authentic Publishing

Reviewed by Jamie Driggers

Mesi desperately wants to attend school and eventually become a teacher, but in Africa school is a costly extravagance–especially now, when her family’s crops are doing poorly due to a drought. When the wise woman, Miss Ama, suggests Mesi pray about her schooling, Mesi is skeptical, but willing to try. God’s answer doesn’t seem fair at all to Mesi, or is it possible that God’s way is even better?

Similar in style to the American Girl books, author Pam Davis tells stories of girls around the globe as their daily lives and their faith intersect. In Mesi’s case, she lives in an area where there is a wide variation in religious beliefs. She has a hard time believing God cares anything about the details in her life when there is a drought going on. But Miss Ama seems so sure, and Mesi can’t help but try to believe.

Besides giving children a glimpse into another culture, this book also teaches good character traits like being a faithful friend, contributing as a member of a family and submitting to parental authority. I wouldn’t hesitate to hand this book to my six-year-old daughter or any of her friends.

This short chapter book has small but lovely full-color illustrations on most pages and full-page illustrations at the beginning of each chapter. The chapters are broken further into manageable chunks for beginning readers or for a quick read-aloud with your kids. The cover is celebratory and little girls will want to pick it up to read. Overall, I think the book is well done and I look forward to picking up more of the series.

Armchair Interviews says: Nice addition to the series for children or young middle readers.

Author’s Web site: http://www.girlsngrace.com