Angel Boy

Leonard's school break is turning out to be a dull one. Back home in Accra, Ghana, his friends are far away, his grandmother keeps him company with little enthusiasm, and his father spends most of his time at work. Hoping for some excitement, he boards a tro-tro minibus bound for Elmina. The town is home to a historic European fort where captives were once locked up before being transported across the Atlantic to the Americas. Elmina draws crowds of visitors, but it also draws street children and rival gangs. Leonard is soon seized by the most ruthless gang in the area, who want to exploit his angelic looks to trick tourists out of their money.

This Ghanaian story by Bernard Ashley explores the harsh world of street gangs that grows out of poverty. Young readers are carried toward a tense, fast-paced finale.