The Bitter Side of Sweet in Mock Printz 2026

Mar 21, 2016 Diana rated it it was amazing

Shelves: ya, realistic-fiction, acl-reviewed

Wow! I'm totally surprised by how much I liked this book. I read it for consideration on the ACL Distinguished list and probably never would have picked it up otherwise, but I'm so glad I did. Following the lives of 2 brothers and a girl enslaved on a cacao farm on the Ivory Coast, the story follows their enslavement and attempts at escape. While that sounds exciting, the characterization of these kids is what really got me. They are strong and fully realized ultimately building a little family ...more

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Oct 19, 2016 Shauna Yusko rated it really liked it

Shelves: read-in-2016, srp-2017

So many options for using this book in the classroom also.

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Oct 15, 2016 Maureen rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobooks, zz2016

The story of Amadou, his younger brother Seydou, and Khadija highlight the plight of enslaved children worldwide. While "working" on a cacao farm, Amadou and Seydou witness a new child being brought to camp. Being a girl and looking like a city girl makes Khadija stand out, as does her determination to escape. When she tricks Seydou into helping her get away, it sets off a chain of events that is unpredictable and harrowing.

This important book shows the underside of the chocolate industry, and ...more

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May 02, 2016 Anne Bennett rated it really liked it

Oh my. I love chocolate everything and anything but now I will have to really scrutinize my choices and just select fair trade products. Sullivan has done it again. She has alerted me to an issue getting very little attention, but one which deserves much more. I recommend this book.

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Jun 15, 2016 Kim rated it really liked it

Shelves: teen-ya, africa

Amadou and his little brother Seydou are modern day slaves working on a cacao farm. They were tricked into going to the farm and have been told that they cannot leave until they pay of their debt. No one will tell them how much they owe. Amadou notices that no one leave the farm unless they have died. Then Khadija arrives. She is the first girl ever at the camp and she changes everything. A amazing book about the underside of the chocolate industry. A fantastic audiobook!

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May 17, 2016 Carrie rated it really liked it

Shelves: environmentalism, social-justice, young-adult, global-setting, adventure

Sullivan illuminates an important issue, exploited children working as slaves on cacao farms, by creating an engaging story and characters that resonate emotionally. The relationship between Amadou and his younger brother Seydou is tender and I found myself moved by their situation. An author's note puts the story into context and delivers advice on how to take action. ...more

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