Review: Escape Under the Forever Sky

Escape Under the Forever Sky
By Eve Yohalem
Chronicle Books
April 2009
224 pages

Lucy Hoffman is the 13-year old daughter of the US Ambassador to Ethiopia. By all appearances she lives a charmed life in the middle of one of the poorest countries in Africa. A driver escorts her from the gated compound to private school. She rides in motorcades to official dinners where she dines with various world leaders. Servants attend to all her needs. She wants for nothing – except her freedom.

After six months, all Lucy knows of the culture and geography she has learned from reading books and talking to her driver, Iskinder. Like the wild animals she visits on her trips to the National Park with Ranger Dahnie, she yearns to explore rural Africa. She eventually gets her wish but not at all the way she imagined.

Lucy and her mother, the Ambassador, are embroiled in a serious disagreement over the touchy subject of her freedom. She has been grounded for going to the outdoor market in Addis Ababa with her school friends. She is furious at her mother. When she’s finally allowed to go to her friend, Tana’s house for a short visit, they sneak off to hear a local band at a restaurant. There she is kidnapped and the real story begins.

Lucy is held in a small hut in the country. Her kidnappers, a British woman and 2 African men, are so disorganized and one of the men is so violent she is certain they will kill her. Even though she is keenly aware that certain death might also await her in the dangerous wilderness, she believes her only option is to escape. What follows is the most challenging adventure of a lifetime.

Escape Under the Forever Sky is a suspenseful and spell-binding tale of Lucy’s bravery and resourcefulness as she draws on everything she has learned about this mysterious land to guide her incredible journey. Yohalem’s abundant research shines through with vivid details. From the colorful, bustling marketplace in Addis Ababa to the hidden dangers and natural beauty of the Ethiopian wilderness, young readers will feel like they are right there with Lucy through all her exploits. This is an intriguing summer safari for all ages.

Copyright (c) 2009 by Peggy Tibbetts

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Where can I find children’s ebook publishers?

I have written and illustrated an interactive children’s book. I think that the ebook format is the best way to publish my book. Where can I find children’s ebook publishers?

First of all, I suggest you look for children’s interactive book publishers. Publishers of children’s interactive books package their books in more than one format, such as ebook and CD. Therefore, a search for only children’s ebook publishers would be too narrow.

Visit your local library and ask the children’s librarian to show you interactive children’s books on CD. Look for books or products that are similar to yours and jot down the name of the publishers. You can find more information about those publishers by doing a Google search for the publisher’s web site, and look for submission guidelines on their web site. Or you can visit the web site, Colossal Directory of Children’s Publishers where you will find an alphabetical listing, plus links to the publishers’ web sites. The Publishing Central web site also publishes a list of children’s book publishers. They provide a description of the type of books published and links to their web sites. You can also find publishers’ guidelines in the Children’s Writer’s & Illustrator’s Market . When in doubt, send a query letter describing your project to the appropriate editor.

When you submit to publishers, you must accept the fact that some publishers may only be interested in the idea and the text of your submission. The publisher might prefer to choose the illustrator, or even add music or animation. You will need to keep an open mind toward collaboration once a publisher expresses interest.

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