Life in a small village in South Africa is hard for twelve-year-old Chanda. Following her baby sister’s unexpected death her mother refuses to leave the house, eventually falling severely ill herself. Her stepfather steals money and leaves it at the bar, while blaming his wife for the death of their child. Chanda’s neighbour, Mrs. Tafa, claims she wants to help, but something is off in the way she behaves. Chanda comes to realize that her local community is weighed down by fear, and that her neighbors are about to transform into an angry mob. Life, Above All is a touching and well-told story, based on Allan Strattons novel, about a young girl finding the courage to stand up to fear. hh