Over a Thousand Hills I Walk with You

The novel is a fictionalized biography based on the life of Jeanne, the author's adopted daughter. It follows Jeanne's childhood in Rwanda, her family's desperate attempt to escape the 1994 genocide, her experience as the sole survivor of her family's massacre, and her eventual journey toward healing and a new life in Germany. SENSITIVE TOPICS: The book deals directly and realistically with genocide, ethnic cleansing, and the death of parents and siblings. The violence is portrayed with historical honesty. The resolution is hopeful but grounded in the reality of long-term trauma and the complexity of adoption. EMOTIONAL ARC: It begins with the warmth of family life, descends into a sustained period of terror and profound grief, and gradually builds toward a quiet, resilient hope as Jeanne rebuilds her identity. IDEAL READER: A mature 14-year-old student interested in international relations or human rights who is looking for a deeply personal perspective on a historical event they may have only heard about in passing. PARENT TRIGGER: A parent might see their child struggling to understand news reports about global conflict or asking deep questions about why people hate one another based on ethnicity. PARENT PREP: Parents should be aware of the descriptions of the massacre scenes. It is recommended to read the introduction and first few chapters together to provide a safe space for the child's initial emotional reaction. AGE EXPERIENCE: Younger teens (12-13) will likely focus on the survival aspect and the relationship between the sisters, while older teens (16+) will better grasp the political failures and the psychological weight of being a 'sole survivor.' DIFFERENTIATOR: What makes this unique is the perspective: it is a story of a survivor told through the lens of her adoptive mother, bridging the gap between the event itself and the lifelong process of healing and integration.