Abdi's older brother is grabbed by the Somali militia group (Al Shaabab) from school. Three years later, Abdi and his remaining family members are kidnapped by AMISOM (a combined U.S. and Somali army effort.) After being beaten by AMISOM, Abdi is recruited to infiltrate Al Shaabab, where his brother is now a commander. In exchange for a new life for Abdi and his family he is charged with discovering/foiling an upcoming attack. The story is told as flashbacks as Abdi is now an unwanted teenager, under the protection of a U.S. mission worker. He is temporarily allowed to hideout in a refugee home for equally unwanted girls. Abdi is able to recover his humanity as he develops a relationship with the social worker, head of the school and two students, and assists them, eventually able to deal with the atrocities he has witnessed and perpetrated. Violent. ( )