// READ – Book Reviews
ALL OF THESE THINGS ARE IMPORTANT TO ME By Prof Renata Schoeman & Refiloe Moahloli
With one in 20 children in South Africa suffering from ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), plus an estimated one million South African adults, this is the first fictional book launched in South Africa about the condition aimed at creating awareness for early detection and intervention.The book explores the adventurous life of Zee in a short and colourful narrative in English, Afrikaans, Xhosa, Zulu and Sotho, and through its captivating storytelling, explains how a child with ADHD perceives and lives in the world. The second part of the book offers a simple, but accurate explanation of ADHD: What it is, how it is diagnosed and how it is managed. Proceeds from the book will be donated to the Goldilocks and the Bear Foundation, which funds and manages the screening of children in underprivileged areas.The book is available for R100 from the foundation (info@gb4adhd.co.za).
ZAMBEZI VALLEY: THE LOST STRONGHOLD By Silvana Olivo
Zambezi Valley: The Lost Stronghold is an account of Zimbabwe’s rhino war and testifies to the dedication of those who fought against all odds to protect Zimbabwe’s Zambezi Valley, considered in the 1980s the last stronghold for the greatest concentration of wild black rhinos in Africa. The war against poachers by heroic game scouts and rangers, who risked their lives for very little in exchange, was led in Zimbabwe by the initiator of Operation Stronghold, Glenn Tatham.This account is the result of the author’s personal involvement in the campaign run by Zimbabwe’s National Parks Department almost 30 years ago, when, at 21, she became its official Italian chapter for half of the decade-long Operation Stronghold. Describing Zimbabwe’s visionary conservation policies of the time, the account testifies to the complexities of conservation in Africa.
DOCTOR DOGS: HOW OUR BEST FRIENDS ARE BECOMING OUR BEST MEDICINE By Maria Goodavage
In this ground-breaking book, Goodavage brings us behind the scenes of cutting-edge science at top research centres, and into the lives of people whose well-being depends on their devoted, highly skilled personal MDs (medical dogs). With her signature wit and passion, Goodavage explores how doctor dogs are becoming our cheerful allies in the fight against dozens of physical and mental conditions. We meet dogs who detect cancer and Parkinson’s disease, and dogs who alert people to seizures and diabetic lows or highs and other lifethreatening physical ailments. You don’t have to be a dog lover to care deeply about what these dogs are doing – although if you’re not, you probably will be by the end of this book!
THE GRACE YEAR By Kim Liggett
Tierney James lives in an isolated village where girls are banished at 16 to the northern forest to brave the wilderness – and each other – for a year.They must rid themselves of their dangerous magic before returning purified and ready to marry – if they’re lucky. It is forbidden to speak of the grace year, but even so, every girl knows that the coming year will change them… If they survive it. The Grace Year is The Handmaid’s Tale meets Lord of the Flies. It is a page-turning feminist dystopia about a young woman trapped in an oppressive society, fighting to take control of her own life.