Crocodile Burning: 9

Williams intertwines two stories of exploitation in this timely novel set in South Africa and New York City. Throughout his life, Seraki, a South African teenager, has witnessed destruction caused by hatred and violence. By joining the cast of a locally produced musical that exposes the plight of black South Africans, he finds a means to express his fear and pent-up outrage. The play travels to Broadway and Seraki discovers that even in America, the land of opportunity, he cannot escape corruption. While his people continue their fight for independence in their homeland, Seraki and the other actors attempt to free themselves from the control of a manipulative director. This tale, culminating in two separate celebrations of triumph, reveals the effects of oppression on both a psychological and a sociological level. Though Williams's knowledge of dramatics and adolescent perspectives adds authenticity, his occasionally contrived plot comes off as Cinderella-ish, with the protagonist going from rags to riches. Ultimately, this book will have the greatest impact on mature readers who are able to draw parallels between apartheid and the injustices that can prevail in a ``free society.'' Ages 12-up. (Aug.)