Father of the Lost Boys: The Mecak Ajang Alaak story (Yuot A Alaak, Fremantle)

In Father of the Lost Boys, former child refugee Yuot A Alaak immortalises the hero who rescued 20,000 boys from the brink of death—his father, Mecak Ajang Alaak. Affectionately embraced as ‘Dad’ by the thousands of boys he cared for during the Second Sudanese Civil War, Ajang will captivate readers of his family’s story in this young-reader adaptation of the award-winning memoir by the same name published in 2020. Released to coincide with World Refugee Day, the adaptation takes the reader back to Yuot A Alaak’s childhood, which was shattered by a genocide that ravaged his community. He was forced to become one of the Lost Boys of South Sudan, young boys vulnerable to recruitment as child soldiers or at risk of extermination. His father led the boys on a perilous four-year journey to refuge in Kenya, embracing his role as a teacher, protector and guide. Through Alaak’s eyes, a new generation is introduced to the tumultuous history of 20th-century South Sudan. He shares the challenges of his adolescence and inspires through his determined spirit, his loving family, and his father’s devotion. Alaak’s love for his country and its people will engross young readers aged 12+. The book vividly contrasts affectionate and radiant moments between father and son with the trauma and unpredictability of life escaping persecution. Poised to spark powerful conversations, Father of the Lost Boys stands out as a remarkable story of resilience, love, and the enduring human spirit in the face of unimaginable challenges.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Vuma Phiri is a Zambian-born storyteller. Their poetry was recently published in the Centre for Stories anthology Under the Paving Stones, the Beach. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

Category: Friday Unlocked reviews Reviews