With their lives destabilized by war and a devastating sickness spreading, Sabel, who has “wood-coloured” skin, sits down with her family to share a last meal before leaving home. But instead of the family leaving together, Appa and Amma send the kids—Sabel, Reya, Theri, Verlane, and S’Jin—off on their own. After a turbulent and disorienting trek, they find themselves at an abandoned school on an island in another country with children from other unnamed “falling-down” places. These young people are called sugar diamonds; their powerful, “high-life” parents have used their connections—and lots of ghee, the new currency—to get them to some sort of safety. Now they’re to bide their time until a ship arrives in 10 days. But with circumstances becoming increasingly suspicious, it’s hard for them not to question whether their caretakers have other motivations. Boyagoda’s young readers’ debut explores themes of hope, belief, and resiliency. As details about the unraveling state of society are revealed, the story raises questions about and comparisons to past and present conflicts. Sabel is at the center of the narrative, but readers also hear directly from supporting characters—such as red-haired, green-eyed Chynoweth, a bookseller’s daughter who’s coerced into overseeing the children, and black-skinned Jaka, the eldest grandson of the “war-making man everyone called The General”—who nevertheless feel underdeveloped.
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English (US) ·