The heaven shop

by:  Deborah Ellis

publisher:  Fitzhenry and Whiteside

Main character:  Binti Phiri

This begins as a very simple story.  Binti lives in Malawi with her father, brother and sister.  Her father makes coffins and gives most of his money away to his extended family.  Binti stars on a radio show.  When her father dies of AIDS, the family members which he supported ar are quick to take all the belongings, but not to take the children.  We begin to see the tragedy of AIDS through a child’s eyes, through Binti’s eyes.  This is a very mature book told in very simple language.  The story is rushed in parts, not always well developed, but that adds to the simplicity.  The author tries to give us some hope for those affected by AIDS and HIV.

themes:  resilliance,  AIDS,  Malawi, death, women’s roles