They were cutting the branches off the trees again.
When Zari first arrived in East London, she had wondered about the trees. She had never seen any fields and farms in London, like there were at home in Kosovo. But there were more trees. Or at least you noticed them here. In Kosovo, there were entire forests, but no one thought about them because they were, well, just there.
In London, the trees look uncomfortable growing out of the pavement - as if they were refugees in a foreign country, too.
Zari's story takes you from the fighting in Kosovo to the concrete streets of the city of London - but there is conflict here too. You can't leave problems behind just because you leave your country as a refugee in the back of a lorry full of cheese! Making friends is a minefield in itself - and the secrets she discovers in the family just add to the trouble.
War, peace, faith, and nationality - everything is changing in Zari's life.
It's not just the trees that are feeling uncomfortable.
Endorsements
This book is a great read for pre-teens and older, as we have insight to various cultures, religions, and the themes of love, relationships, faith, and tolerance, certainly all dominant topics in this politically correct society. Although this book was written from a Christian perspective, it certainly is not biased, as it lays out various arguments from both the Muslim and Christian faiths. This is a thought-provoking, touching story about how the young girl, Zari, matures from being a selfish child to being a young lady who sticks up for what is right, even at the risk of getting in trouble. This book has a great message with good character development. As the story unfolds, I found myself reading the book faster, not wanting to put the book down. I highly recommend this book.
Keith VandenAkker
This is a great book! It helps give an insight into what refugees go through when they come to a new country. I would definitely recommend it! It´s a book I would give to others to help them understand a bit of the refugee situation.
Lisa Martin Schobesberger, missionary to refugees, Jenn´s former London teammate
Well, I think it is a lovely book and may be of great help to children who feel alone and strange, or effectual in the lives of "bullies". I am, of course, prejudiced. I am one of Jennifer's grandmothers!
Anna-Lisa Madeira (Mrs. David L. Madeira) a Rhode Islander who lives in Connecticut, USA
amazing. horrah one word reviews! I think it was amazing. it had a deep but easy to follow very captivating plot line. i picked it up and couldnt put it down.and even though its catogorized for 8 - 12 year olds, i think everyone could get into it. Even quiescent platypus lovers! though, like Jenns grandmother i may also be prejudice. She was/is my small group leader :)
Jennifer Anne Grosser moved to London, England in her 20?s to work with refugees. She lives back in the United States, where she is surrounded by trees (none of which are growing out of the pavement) and wishes she had a dog. She works in a coffee shop getting to know the people of Worcester, Massachusetts, and trying to love Jesus better and better. Trees in the Pavement is her first book.
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