The shadow of the man in black has followed fourteen-year-old Amy Cahill and her younger brother Dan on their worldwide search for 39 Clues that lead to a great power. The man has tried to kill them and he is a Madrigal, as were their parents. And now the man is ready to step out of the darkness for their final confrontation.
When the Sudanese civil war reaches his village in 1985, eleven-year-old Salva becomes separated from his family and must walk with other Dinka tribe members through southern Sudan, Ethiopia, and Kenya in search of safe haven. Based on the life of Salva Dut, who, after emigrating to America in 1996, began a project to dig water wells in Sudan.
While working on a project for an after-school club, Julia, a Korean American girl, and her friend Patrick learn not just about silkworms, but also about tolerance, prejudice, friendship, patience, and more. Between the chapters are short dialogues between the author and main character about the writing of the book.
