Under Water

A sequel to the award-winning This Thing Called the Future, this companion book leaves the topic of HIV-AIDS for other critical themes emerging in South Africa–themes relevant to the United States. Violence in the townships, including violence against immigrants from other African communities; fears that outsiders are stealing jobs from South Africans; rival taxi associations vie for power and territories in bloody taxi wars. This coming-of-age story is set in a time of violence but Khosi faces so many of the things young women face. Love and romance, sex, teen pregnancy–all while trying to make it on her own and taking care of her little sister at the same time. Khosi's attempts to manage her life and achieve her dreams are marred by her boyfriend's loyalty to his taxi boss and his decisions to get involved in the taxi wars. He's the father of the child growing in her womb, but she's not so sure he's father material. Like many teens, Khosi feels like she's losing everything–but she won't go down without a fight.