Printz and Printz Honor

Lake, N. (2012). In darkness. New York: Bloomsbury.  In Darkness is a story about two boys named Shorty and Toussaint that have become stranded underneath rubble after an earthquake in Haiti.  While the story introduces Shortly as young boy that has become trapped with fear and distress underneath all the after math of the earthquake, he soon discovers comfort in Toussaint.  As opposed to Shortly, Toussaint is much older and is a freed slave that led Haiti to freedom from the French.  Together, they discover both of their lives have been impacted by their environment.  After suffering loss of family and cruelty, they realize their lives have been given a second chance at survival and a chance at beginning their live once again.  Reading the story, you realize the hardships that impacted way of living and thinking for these two characters.   I enjoyed how the author embedded each of their stories to allow the reader to understand how their lives might have occurred at different times, but are very similar, which lead you to believe they have both survived for a reason.  The book is targeted towards older readers, ages 14 and up due to the language and issues discussed.  Great story that emphasizes historical events. Criteria: The language that the story possesses and the central focus of the characters play out the plot and meaning behind the story.