'In my culture, every story is told with the purpose of either imparting knowledge, repairing a broken bond, or transforming the listener and the teller. Mariatu's story embodies all of these elements.' from the Introduction by Ishmael Beah

Mariatu Kamara grew up in a small village in Sierra Leone, surrounded by family and friends. At first, rumours of the civil war were no more than a distant worry. But then the rebels attacked. Heavily armed soldiers, some no older than 12-year-old Mariatu herself, attacked her village, torturing her brutally and killing many of the people she loved. During this senseless violence, they cut off both her hands.

Miraculously, Mariatu survived. Then began her journey of recovery, from the African bush to begging in the streets of Freetown, and ultimately to a new life in North America.

'A great read... It's like a cross between Parvana and Memoirs of a Geisha.' Samantha, 16

'It feels as if Mariatu Kamara is sitting in the room with you, telling her story...real and honest. A really powerful book. I cried on several occasions.' Isabella, 19

'...a powerful commentary on one of the many costs of wars. An essential purchase...' Kirkus