The first YA novel I know of having to do with the Rwandan genocide of Hutus and Tutsis. The book is based on the German author's adoptive child's experiences in Rwanda during the mid-90s genocide. Jeanne and her family live a fairly comfortable life in Rwanda until the assassination of the president and his cabinet causes chaos throughout the country. As Tutsis, the family is forced to flee invading Hutus who are murdering citizens and destroying property. Jeanne witnesses her mother's and brother's deaths, and loses the rest of her family. She has to rely on the questionable tolerance of strangers to survive another day.

This is a moving, unforgettable story based on the life of the author‰ÃƒÂ›Ã‚ªs adoptive daughter. At an early age, Jeanne battles to stay alive and she sees atrocities no child should ever be witness to. While this could never be described as a ‰Û÷nice‰Ûª story it does end with a feeling of hope for Jeanne‰Ûªs future. ( )

This book is about about a girl named Jeanne D'Arc. Before the Rwandan Genocide, she was a typical Rwandan girl. Then one day, Jeanne had to flee her home to escape jailors who were killing all the Tutsis. Unfortunately, Jeanne was the only one in her family who survived. Later on, Jeanne stayed with the Rebels until going to live with her aunt in Germany.
I liked this book very much. I felt very sorry for her when she realized that her parents and siblings died. I admired her strength when she asked the Rebels for help. ( )

I thought this book was gripping from the beginning sentence. It shows the ugly face of genocide, in a heartwrenching manner. I would highly recommend. ( )

Reviewed by Taylor Rector for TeensReadToo.com

OVER A THOUSAND HILLS I WALK WITH YOU is the horrifying novel that is based on a true story about the 1994 Rwandan genocide. This was a subject that I didn't know too much about until I read this book, which made me realize how horrible events such as this one are still happening in today's society. How we could let this happen is beyond me.

The book is written by the adoptive mother of Jeanne to tell the story that is often called the modern day Holocaust. As with the original Holocaust, many children were left to fight for themselves and try and find a new way to survive. Jeanne's family is killed and she is left to fend for herself, and the book is about how she achieves that.

When you read this book you aren't on the basic level of thinking. You are much beyond that. The imagery in this book is not good, because in no way do you want this to happen to anyone, but at the same time it's very real. I felt as if I were standing the fields and forests and homes of these people and was surrounded by people fighting for their lives. ( )