An orphaned boy in present-day Senegal must decide between doing what is right and what is easy in order to honor a promise made to his dying father to keep their family together in the face of malicious gang members. A first novel. Simultaneous eBook. - (Baker & Taylor)

In Senegal, eleven-year-old orphan Mor has three months to prove to his aunt that he can support himself and his two younger sisters, allowing them to stay together in their village and fulfilling the promise he made to their dying father, but a malicious gang of boys threatens Mor's success and his integrity. - (Baker & Taylor)

An orphaned boy in present-day Senegal must decide between doing what is right and what is easy in order to honor a promise made to his dying father to keep their family together in the face of malicious gang members. - (Baker & Taylor)

An orphaned boy in contemporary Senegal must decide between doing what is right and what is easy as he struggles to keep a promise he made to his dying father in this “stirring” (School Library Journal) middle grade debut novel laced with magical realism.

Eleven-year-old Mor was used to hearing his father’s voice, even if no one else could since his father’s death. It was comforting. It was also a reminder that Mor had made a promise to his father before he passed: keep your sisters safe. Keep the family together. But almost as soon as they are orphaned, that promise seems impossible to keep. With an aunt from the big city ready to separate him and his sisters as soon as she arrives, and a gang of boys from a nearby village wanting everything he has—including his spirit—Mor is tested in ways he never imagined.

With only the hot summer months to prove himself, Mor must face a choice. Does he listen to his father and keep his heart true, but risk breaking his promise through failure? Or is it easier to just join the Danka Boys, who despite their maliciousness are at least loyal to their own?

One Shadow on the Wall is about love and loss, family and friendship, and creating your own future—even when it’s hard to do. - (Simon and Schuster)

An orphaned boy in contemporary Senegal must decide between doing what is right and what is easy as he struggles to keep a promise he made to his dying father in this 'stirring' (School Library Journal) middle grade debut novel laced with magical realism.

Eleven-year-old Mor was used to hearing his father's voice, even if no one else could since his father's death. It was comforting. It was also a reminder that Mor had made a promise to his father before he passed: keep your sisters safe. Keep the family together. But almost as soon as they are orphaned, that promise seems impossible to keep. With an aunt from the big city ready to separate him and his sisters as soon as she arrives, and a gang of boys from a nearby village wanting everything he has'including his spirit'mor is tested in ways he never imagined.

With only the hot summer months to prove himself, Mor must face a choice. Does he listen to his father and keep his heart true, but risk breaking his promise through failure? Or is it easier to just join the Danka Boys, who despite their maliciousness are at least loyal to their own?

One Shadow on the Wall is about love and loss, family and friendship, and creating your own future'even when it's hard to do. - (Simon and Schuster)

Leah Henderson is the author of One Shadow on the Wall and Together We March. She has always loved getting lost in stories. When she is not scribbling down her characters' adventures, she is off on her own, exploring new spaces and places around the world. Many of the hopes, struggles, and traditions witnessed on her travels find a home in her work, hopefully offering added color and new perspectives to her characters' lives. Leah received her MFA in writing from Spalding University and currently calls the Washington, DC, area home. Visit her at LeahHendersonBooks.com. - (Simon and Schuster)

Leah Henderson is the author of One Shadow on the Wall and Together We March. She has always loved getting lost in stories. When she is not scribbling down her characters’ adventures, she is off on her own, exploring new spaces and places around the world. Many of the hopes, struggles, and traditions witnessed on her travels find a home in her work, hopefully offering added color and new perspectives to her characters’ lives. Leah received her MFA in writing from Spalding University and currently calls the Washington, DC, area home. Visit her at LeahHendersonBooks.com. - (Simon and Schuster)

Booklist Reviews

Orphaned after the death of his baay (father), 11-year-old Mor of Lat Mata, Senegal, finds himself responsible for his younger sisters. Mor is committed to keeping the family together, but his aunt only gives him until the end of summer to prove that he can—or she'll take the girls away. Juggling bad luck against worse odds, Mor persists in his efforts to make a living and slowly brings in an income. But soon he has to make a decision: stick up for himself, his family, and friends, or take the seemingly easy route by joining the Danka Boys, a gang that has been harassing him. In a story that illustrates what the phrase "it takes a village" truly means, debut author Henderson's depiction of Senegalese life is well researched and warm with affection. While some readers may struggle with Wolof vocabulary, not always decipherable through context, and may not relate to Mor's poverty directly, Mor's drive to do right and his love for his family are unmistakable. Keep an eye on this author! Copyright 2017 Booklist Reviews.

Horn Book Guide Reviews

Guided by the spirits of his recently deceased parents, eleven-year-old Mor struggles to support his younger sisters in their rural Senegalese village. Harder still, Mor must save enough for his sister to attend private school and steer clear of the brutal Danka Boys gang. Although the novel is lengthy for middle-grade, strong, vibrant storytelling brings the community to life. An author's note discusses street children in Senegal. Copyright 2017 Horn Book Guide Reviews.

Kirkus Reviews

Mor, an 11-year-old Senegalese boy, faces many obstacles as he tries to keep his family together after his parents die. Mor is grieving his father's recent death when he begins hearing his father's voice and seeing his dead mother. At first he is distressed, but eventually the visions and voices become sources of strength and comfort. Mor is determined to care for his two younger sisters as his father wants him to, but he needs to prove he is capable. The biggest threat to their safety is a gang of seemingly fearless bullies. When Mor finds out that his former best friend is a part of the gang, he is tempted to join as well to gain their protection instead of being their target. Can he keep his family together without giving up his integrity? In her debut, Henderson paints a detailed picture of life in Senegal. The author's experience, research, and sensitivity shine, making this distinctive novel a valuable addition to the literature. While the book's universal themes of fam ilial love, determination, and growing up will appeal to many, it's not for every reader. The story is slow to gain momentum, and two characters—the spirit of Mor's father and an odd fisherman who takes Mor under his wing—impart guidance and wisdom in poetic, sometimes-obscure language. A book that rewards patient, sensitive readers willing to dive in. (Fiction. 10-13) Copyright Kirkus 2017 Kirkus/BPI Communications. All rights reserved.

PW Annex Reviews

Life in Mor's Senegalese village gets increasingly difficult after the 11-year-old and his two sisters are orphaned and threatened with separation. When their home is raided by the Danka Boys, Mor debates joining the gang, which offers food and security. Through tight, polished sentences and a smattering of regional vocabulary, debut novelist Henderson believably evokes the harsh realities of the impoverished seaside village and the resilience of its residents. The storytelling, though, can get bogged down amid a languid pace and lengthy sections of exposition; Henderson's penchant for brevity at the sentence level isn't reflected in the work as a whole. But Mor's indomitable spirit, love for his family, and refusal to give up make him a fascinating and well-rounded protagonist, even if "he was still just a boy in his baay's sandals." And although the disembodied voice of Mor's father offers guidance from beyond the grave, it's an unlikely friendship with an outcast that provides a flesh-and-blood father figure to teach and watch over the boy. Ages 8–12. Agent: Melissa Nasson, Rubin Pfeffer Content. (June)

School Library Journal Reviews

Gr 5–8—In his seaside home in Senegal, 11-year-old Mor Fall experiences the deaths of his mother and father. His aunt Dieynaba wishes to separate Mor and his sisters Amina and Fatima, but they beg for a few months to try to support themselves and to raise Amina's school fees. After some missteps, Mor begins working for Demba, a poetic, cryptic fisherman who provides him with a much-needed adult perspective. Mor's dead parents also appear to give him guidance. Matters devolve when Mor's childhood friend Cheikh pushes Mor to join the Danka Boys, a gang of street kids from Dakar. Henderson creates a multifaceted portrayal of Senegalese village life. Senegalese vocabulary (presumably Wolof) peppered throughout enriches the text. The first chapters, rife with grief and contemplation, are almost elegiac. While the intricacy of the writing and the context needed to fully appreciate the story make this most appropriate for middle schoolers, the intended audience may initially balk at reading about an 11-year-old protagonist. The heavy themes, deep sadness, and slower pace of the first few chapters may deter some readers. VERDICT A stirring tale that will likely require hand-selling to move off the shelf. Purchase as interest indicates.—Caitlin Augusta, Stratford Library Association, CT