Red Midnight

About this book

When guerrilla soldiers strike Santiagos village they shoot at everyone in their path. Dos Vas is on fire and the night glows red. "Take the cayuco and sail to the United States of America. Now go!" Santiagos uncle Ramos tells him and Santiago twelve and his four-year-old sister Angelina flee. With a map a machete and very little food Santiago and Angelina set sail in their uncle Ramoss sea kayak built for just such an escape but not for a sailor who is only a boy. Santiago heads for the United States on a voyage that will take them through narrow channels guarded by soldiers shark infested waters and days of painful heat and raging storms. Santiago knows that he and Angelina probably will die trying to make the voyage but they certainly will die at the hands of rebels or government soldiers if they do not try. In this tale of courage survival and triumph Ben Mikaelsen introduces readers to a danger and fear that is far too real for many children and he reminds us of the responsibility and power that the worlds richest nation bears to help end it.