The Philippines, 1899. Ten-year-old Samkad thinks he knows everything about the world. He knows that home is in the mountains. He knows who his friends and his enemies are. And he knows that he will grow up to become a warrior like his dad, with his own shield, spear and axe. His best friend is Little Luki and she too wants to become a warrior - though there's little chance of that because she is just a girl.
Then strangers arrive: a boy with many languages in his throat... and weird-looking men called Americans who bring war and death.
"Very special." ? The Times
"Gourlay's evocative writing grips from the outset." ? Guardian
"A master storyteller." ? Scotsman
"Vividly drawn... mesmerising." ? Observer