Alexandria of Africa
Written by: Eric Walters
Doubleday Canada / $14.95
Recommended for ages 12 and up

Alexandria Hyatt is a typical snob, no bones about it. She is spoiled rotten by her divorced parents. She is glamorous and rich and incidentally feels she is above the law. As this story begins, Alexandria finds herself in front of a tough judge as she faces her second offense, this one for shoplifting. It’s not that she didn’t have the money to buy the goods, she merely did it on a lark. In fact, she even offered to pay for the goods after she was caught!

The judge does not like Alexandria’s snippy attitude and gives her a choice of going to a youth detention centre for 120 days or taking part in a diversion program. What is a diversion program? Alexandria wonders. Little does she know when she chooses the diversion program that she will be spending one month in a tiny village in Kenya, 7000 miles away from her home in North America. This village has no hot water, unfamiliar food and only the most basic necessities. How will this egocentric brat survive in such conditions?

Eventually Alexandria seems to grow up as she spends time with the Kenyan people and the missionaries who are helping to build a school for the children. (This of course, after she realizes there is no cell phone reception and no shopping malls in the village.) She befriends a young woman, Ruth, who teaches her about her world and what is important to her.

Although I didn’t particularly care for Alexandria, this story will truly resonate with many teenagers who have a hard time seeing the world beyond their front door.

Eric Walters has written Run, We All Fall Down, The Falls and numerous other books for young adults.