Amani's River
by
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The sun streamed through the small cracks of the trees, and the wind blew in circles. The water plunged downstream, as I was content with a mesmerizing stare at the ripples swaying and twirling in a desynchronized pattern, with a distinct rhythm. The sweet smell of the low-rushing river, green and natural surroundings brought a peaceful memory back, one of the last of this place. I took in deep breaths and closed my eyes, remembering the feeling of peace, sitting in this very spot as a child.
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About the Book
Ten-year-old Aderito has been brought from the United States to the banks of a beautiful river in Homoine, Mozambique. There, he befriends a young girl named Victoria, and for a brief time, their childhood is promising. Soon, the violence that is raging across the country makes its way to Aderito’s doorstep, and both children are abducted by rebels and forced to learn the ways of trained killers in a war they barely understand. With only each other for support, Victoria and Aderito struggle to remain unnoticed among their peers. But the more Aderito kills, the more he needs killing, channeling all his rage into war and becoming a valuable weapon. And Victoria, growing older and prettier by the day, begins to attract unwanted attention from their captors. Caught in a battle that ravages villages and tears families apart, Aderito knows he cannot expect a happy ending. And yet he and Victoria make brave plans to escape—only to find themselves facing torments that no adult, let alone child, should ever have to face. As Mozambique struggles through its defining crisis, Aderito too must find a way to survive the childhood that will come to define him as a man.
About the Author
David Hartness is a freelance writer and English teacher working in an international setting. An avid traveler and inspired by many cultures, David enjoys using this subject in his blog “A Small Perspective.” Born and raised on Vashon, a small island in Puget Sound, Washington, David learned values of life and hard work to pursue his ambitions. This led him to travel internationally, serving a small school in Ebukolo, Kenya. While in Kenya, he lived in a mud hut with no running water or electricity. Mr. Hartness had ambitions to make lasting change while in Kenya but ended up learning more from the experience than he gave back. He later served in the U.S. Peace Corps as an education volunteer stationed in Namaacha, Mozambique. Upon leaving service, David continued his education, receiving an MBA from Walden University, and currently enrolled in a DBA program. David currently lives in Lusaka, Zambia, with his son. Amani’s River is David’s first full-length novel.