THE BITTER SIDE OF SWEET, by Tara Sullivan

The story: Amadou and Seydou are essentially slaves on a cacao plantation in Ivory Coast. If they don't pick enough pods every day, they're beaten; they've finally figured out they're never going to be able to earn enough to pay off their "debt" to the bosses. It's not until kidnapped Kahdija is dropped off at camp that the situation spirals out of control, and Amadou realizes that unless he does something desperate, his brother is going to die. Can Amadou find the courage to face nearly insurmountable odds and stage a getaway?

June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG; Violence PG-13; Sexual content PG-13 (a rape, which although graphic is nonetheless there); nudity G; Substance abuse PG; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; Adult themes (human trafficking, unfair-trade chocolate practices) PG-13; overall rating PG-13.

Liz's comments: This was a very eye-opening book about a substance, chocolate, that kids in the US take for granted while kids in Africa die to produce it. The astute, socially-conscious secondary reader will find this book fascinating, although the lack-luster cover makes it unlikely the rest will ever give it a second glance.