Maison Rouge: Memories of a Childhood in War has received very positive reviews from Quill and Quire as well as Kirkus.
Kirkus praises the book for its thoughtful approach to loss and triumph:
“Neither boastfulness nor bitterness shadow Juma’s narrative as she describes her family’s comfortable prewar status and subsequent losses. In a dignified tone she narrates her personal grief—a friend taken as a child soldier, the death of her beloved father, and the bombing of her childhood home, Maison Rouge. A thoughtful, moving story of loss and triumph.”
–Kirkus Reviews
Quill and Quire praises the narrator’s vivid and accurate voice:
“Leolina’s voice is that of a young person communicating to a similarly aged readership. This straightforward approach makes her experiences, unimaginable to some, feel very vivid and lived. Stories of young friends turned killers, UN trucks filled with bodies, and lost family members are told with a frankness and honesty, ensuring these haunting events leave a lasting impact on the reader.”
– Quill and Quire
Read the Quill and Quire review here.