Over a Thousand Hills I Walk with You (2002) by Hanna Jansen is a poignant young adult historical novel about Dédé, a young girl who survives the 1994 Rwandan genocide. At just eight years old, Dédé is the only member of her family to survive as they are targeted due to their Tutsi ethnicity. The story is told through her eyes, capturing the innocence of childhood disrupted by unimaginable horrors. As she flees her village and experiences loss, survival, and trauma, the book explores themes of guilt, survival, and the long-lasting impact of genocide. Based on the real-life story of Jeanne d’Arc Umubyeyi, the novel emphasizes the importance of remembering history's darkest moments and honoring the lives affected.
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