Blue Gold

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Description

Coltan, or "blue gold," is a rare mineral used in making cell phones and computers. Across continents, the lives of three teen girls are affected by the "blue gold" trade. Sylvie's family had to flee the Democratic Republic of the Congo after her father was killed by a rogue militia gang in the conflict for control of coltan. The refugee camp where she now lives is deplorable, and Sylvie yearns for a way out-to save not only herself, but her remaining family. Laiping labors in a Chinese factory, soldering components for cell phones. She had left her small village to make her fortune, but the factory conditions are crushing, and the constant pressure to send money home adds to her misery. Yet when Laiping tries to improve her situation, she sees what happens to those who dare question the electronics company's policies. Fiona is a North American girl who, in one thoughtless moment, takes a picture on her cell phone she comes to regret. In the aftermath, she learns not only about trust and being true to oneself, but the importance of fighting for what is right. All three teens are unexpectedly linked by these events.

Reviews

In this compelling story of injustice, the lives of three 15-year-old girls on three continents are wound together with the issue of how cell phones are made.... The main characters of Laiping, Sylvie and Fiona are all fascinating and realistic... Secondary characters, like Kai, the workers' rights advocate, Fiona's father and Laiping's friend Fen, are compelling in their own way and provide depth to the stories... The dialogue is particularly well done with the voice of each girl coming through clearly.... The message that an ordinary teen like Fiona can use the Internet and her father to influence world events will not be lost on the intended reader. The themes of sexual assault, worker's rights, war, bullying and refugee life will resonate with both boys and girls. Recommended.--Joan Marshall"CM Reviews" (05/09/2014)
Stewart has done an excellent job in presenting the stories of the three girls in a way that the reader will learn about and hopefully seek more info to act on issues presented in this book... will appeal to people interested in worldwide social justice issues.--Alison Edwards"Resource Links" (04/01/2014)
The patient reader is rewarded with a philosophical ending as Stewart masterfully weaves all the threads together to form a common tale of resilience, courage, and hope.--Didier Gondola"Africa Access Review" (06/14/2014)
Apt to start conversations which are less than comfortable. Apt to raise consciousness, and awareness. Well worth reading as a social studies companion, or for entertainment, and guaranteed to open up real conversation on what to do and how to be in the consumer sense.--Tanita Davis"Finding Wonderland" (04/04/2014)
Artfully blending psychological insights with global politics and business ethics, Stewart demonstrates the interconnectedness of the global economy with elegant prose and page-turning cliffhangers.--Karen Doerksen"Readerly, National Reading Campaign" (03/13/2014)

Author Bio

Elizabeth Stewart writes for film, television, and the internet. Her novel, "The Lynching of Louie Sam," received much acclaim, including the International Reading Association's Notable Books for a Global Society 2013 award. She lives in Vancouver, British Columbia.