Diamonds in the Shadow, by Caroline B. Cooney
Cooney, Caroline B. (2007). Diamonds in the Shadow. NY: Delacorte. 240 pages.
The Face on the Milk Carton (1996) probably marked the last time Caroline B. Cooney really delved into character; however, in the case of Diamonds in the Shadow, Cooney’s lack of really deep characterization works. Sixteen-year-old Jared is not pleased with his family’s decision to house a family of African refugees; he doesn’t want to share his room or the responsibility for introducing this family from Sierra Leone to the Western world. When the Amabos arrive, however, Jared’s curiosity is piqued. Not because he suddenly realizes the opportunity to expand his understanding (and misunderstanding) of the world, but because he is certain that the refugee family of four is not who they claim to be. While his younger sister Martha–known as Mopsy–eagerly takes the Amabo daughter under her wing, Jared’s association with the Amabo son leads to more questions. Why don’t the Amabo parents act more concerned about their daughter, a beautiful fifteen-year-old who refuses to eat or speak? Why does the family appear to know so little about their own children? How did Mr. Amabo lose his hands?
This third-person limited omniscient story of two families–the Amabos and the Finches (Jared’s family)–makes subtle comparisons between the “haves” and the “have nots” while slowly revealing details of the horror the Amabos witnessed in the refugee camp they fled. At the center of the story is Victor, a fifth refugee who arrived in the States with the Amabos and who is actively searching for the group of four (related?) people whisked away at the airport’s immigration counter.
Cooney weaves details of African political unrest, conflict diamonds, and child soldiers into this story of suspense and, ultimately, forgiveness. While Diamonds in the Shadow could easily have turned into a polemic, dramatic climax aside, Cooney refuses to smooth the rough edges of each of the Amabo’s stories and put into order what is truly a complex and multifaceted (I know, I know . . . ) issue.