The Wooden Ox

By LeAnne Hardy

The sound of her brother's scream echoed on and on in her head as though it would never end. "Let me go " she demanded stupidly in English. The African boy dug his nails into Keri's arm and brought the knife closer to her face.Civil war is tearing apart Mozambique, Africa. And whether she realizes it or not the war is about to become very real to Keri Anderson.While bringing food and clothes to a village in desperate need, the Anderson family is stranded in the middle of enemy territory and kidnapped by armed rebels.By night the Andersons and some friendly villagers are forced to march deep into the bush. When Vov , Keri's African "grandfather," is left behind on the trail to die, Keri is furious with her dad for letting it happen and terrified for her own safety.What if the rebels decided she was holding them up? What if they left her behind as well? Would Dad protect her? Or would he abandon her like Vov ? Who do you trust when no one can protect you and even God doesn't seem to care?

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0692405798
• ISBN13: 9780692405796
• Release Date: March 2015
• Publisher: Birch Island Books
• Length: 200 Pages
• Weight: 0.51 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.3" x 8.0"
• Age Range: 9 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 4 to 7

Customer Reviews

Adventure in War Torn Africa

LeAnne Hardy creates a powerful picture of the devastation of civil war in Mozambique Africa. The story follows a kidnapped missionary family and is written from the point of view of 13 year old Keri. Rather than focus on the larger political machinations of the warring factions, Hardy emphasizes the trauma and devastation for the individuals caught in the war. She shows how war splits the personalities of people, making a little boy an angry warrior and a loving father into a soldier. The Wooden Ox is realistic, tightly plotted and does not back down from the hard questions of the Christian faith. Although intended for a young adult audience, older readers would enjoy as well.

Gripping Account of American Family in Mozambique

This is a fictional account of an American family who went to distribute relief food and clothes to people in war-torn Mozambique. The story is told by Keri, the older of the two children. It details the danger, fear, and faith the Andersons experienced as they were capture and then brought to safety. This is a story which will linger in one's memory and give insight into the experiences reported in the daily news as well as reminding readers of what faces many missionaries in Africa during these unsettled times.

Great first book

This story is easy to get into, easy to follow, and hard to put down. Although it's a work of fiction, the questions of faith are real, and the characters believable. Hardy's style is great for young and early-teen readers. Definitely recommended!

Come along with me to Mozambique

I was caught up in reading THE WOODEN OX, feeling like I was there with the family in Mozambique. Leanne does an excellent job of introducing us to the sights, sounds, tastes, and customs of the Mozambican people and their culture. I was a bit surprised at the somber reality portrayed in the book of the atrocities of the civil war. I had read elsewhere of the awful murders and suffering in Mozambique during the war years but to read it from a child's point of view, the way Leanne wrote it, was moving. Keri, the main character deals with not wanting to accept the reality of the suffering, with the shock and the grieving that accompany the suffering, and then the learning to go on with God even when not everything made sense. I could really feel the struggle in the girl's heart. I think this book will be an eye-opener for 'comfortable' American kids!