Teen Novel Models How to Fight for Justice in Dark Places
Myhre releases book four in the fictional adventure series,
The
Rwendigo Tales, empowering kids and teens
to find hope and courage in the face
of loss and evil.
Despite the outbreak of many
lethal viruses, diseases, and other health concerns plaguing our world, westerners
often remain removed from the horrors occurring in other parts of the globe. These
realities that may seem far away to some are front and center to author J. A. Myhre, who has worked as a doctor
in East Africa with Serge for the past two decades.
Fueled by a growing desire to share her experiences in
Africa to foster compassion and empathy as well as address an underrepresented
area in children’s literature, Myhre began The
Rwendigo Tales, an African adventure series for children and teens. The
series began with A Chameleon, a Boy, and
a Quest (2015) and was followed by A
Bird, a Girl, and a Rescue (2016) and A
Forest, a Flood, and an Unlikely Star (2017). With the release of A
Fever, a Flight, and a Fight for the World (New Growth Press/October 1,
2018), the fourth and book in the series, she aims to remind young readers that fighting for justice and
triumphing over evil—even in the midst of great loss and hardship—is an adventure
worth having.
The first book was written for ages 7-12, but as the
readers have grown, the reading level has matured as well. Written for 11-14+
youth who love reading and learning about faraway and different parts of the
world, A Fever, a Flight, and a Fight for
the World helps readers relate to characters and issues that seem much
closer to home. Myhre explores significant social and spiritual issues
throughout The Rwendigo Tales, and
because of her own life experiences in East Africa, the fictional book is full
of rich world building and compelling storytelling for readers of all ages.
From the beginning of this African adventure series,
it was important for Myhre to create characters embarking on adventures and
battling real-life issues, inspiring readers to consider their own choices.
When creating the main character of A
Fever, a Flight, and a Fight for the World, Myhre looked to her eldest son,
Luke, for inspiration, noting in her dedication that his “gritty determination,
tender inclusiveness toward his younger siblings, courageous press into hard
places, wilderness survival skills, and passion for justice all seep into the
main character.”
In this latest installment, a doctor volunteering in a
village plagued by a mysterious, Ebola-like virus wakes up on a deserted island
injured, sick, and near death—with no memory of how he got there. As Dr. Mujuni
slowly regains his memory, he pieces together the horrific reality of what
happened to the community he had been serving. A young girl named Kygala nurses
him back to health, and he soon learns just how far the government-backed
officials will go to silence all knowledge of the epidemic.
They embark on a journey to go back to the mainland, but
what they discover on the way is even more dangerous than they could ever
imagine. In an effort to return young Kygala safely back to her village, the
two encounter a series of dangers and hazards. Suddenly, keeping himself and
Kygala alive isn’t Dr. Mujuni’s only concern. They must stop evil, power-hungry
scientists and doctors from developing a serum that will transmit the virus to
the population in epic proportions.
This
page-turning story of finding hope in the midst of loss will inspire readers of
all ages to fight for justice, battle real-life issues in which we must
overcome evil, and foster empathy and an interest in global human concerns. Throughout
this fictional tale, children and teens are faced with the heart of God, who
cares for his people and has overcome evil to rescue them.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
J. A. Myhre
serves as a doctor with Serge
in East Africa, where she has worked for more than two decades. She is
passionate about health care for the poor, training local doctors and nurses,
promoting childhood nutrition and development, and being the hands of Jesus in
the hardest places. She is married to her best friend and colleague, Scott, and
together they have raised four children for whom many of her stories were
written as Christmas presents.
New Growth Press publishes gospel-centered Christian books, small group, and kids’
Bible resources for discipleship, biblical counseling, and missional ministry.
For more information about A Fever, a Flight, and a Fight for the World, visit www.newgrowthpress.com.
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