Awards

• Junior Library Guild Selection

Overview

Fourteen-year-old Kimathi has a comfortable life in the suburbs of western Kenya—until a contentious election explodes into violence. His father is killed, his house is destroyed, and he and his mother and sister must flee. They find themselves in a camp for internally displaced persons, who’ve been driven from their homes but haven’t left their country. Kim struggles to adapt to his new reality: living in a tent, facing prejudice at the local school, and struggling to get basic supplies. His family even has to buy water by the jug, paying high prices controlled by a ruthless gang of water sellers. Gradually, Kim makes friends at the camp and starts to rebuild his life. Together, he and the other kids hatch a plan to get the camp a reliable water supply―along with some hope.

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Reviews

""Ochieng sheds light on the impact of PTSD, grief, and bigotry through this story conveyed in the compelling voice of a teenage boy. Kim's courage will speak to readers, and the exploration of the importance of maintaining continuity and pursuing education will resonate. Outstanding.""—starred, Kirkus Reviews ""Readers will be inspired by the children's courage and perseverance, taking action when adults fail to do so and uniting the camp through the shared need for water. Ideal for a classroom global issues study, this story of Kimathi and his friends serves as a reminder that kids are the same everywhere, but many have comforts and advantages others do not.""—School Library Journal

""Ochieng sheds light on the impact of PTSD, grief, and bigotry through this story conveyed in the compelling voice of a teenage boy. Kim's courage will speak to readers, and the exploration of the importance of maintaining continuity and pursuing education will resonate. Outstanding.""—starred, Kirkus Reviews

Author Information

Patrick Ochieng is a lawyer, novelist and short story writer living in Kenya. In 2010 he was shortlisted for the 2010 Golden Baobab Prize. His books for children include the middle grade novel Playing a Dangerous Game (2021) and Displaced (2025).

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