In the hospital after being beaten by Macoutes, 17-year-old Djo tells the story of his impoverished life to a young woman who, like him, has been working with the social reformer Father Aristide to fight the repression in Haiti.
Sophie Caco, a child who was born of rape, leaves Haiti at the age of twelve to join her mother in New York City, where they both battle with the results of sexual abuse.
Chronicles the events surrounding the coup in Haiti, focusing on the United States government's involvement in the coup and discussing how it has impacted the country of Haiti and the American government.
Each day Chrislove asks his friend Josias when he will "hold the book, " or join them at school, but Josias can only think of tending the bean garden so that his family will have enough food.
A silly man named Bouki, believing that the old man who passed by is a true fortune teller, asks when he will die, then behaves as if the prediction has come true. Includes notes about Bouki tales and Haiti.