Melissa's New York Times piece (December 2002) on the plight of the AIDS orphans inspired many adoptions and generated $75,000 in donations for Africa's orphanagesHer first two books, Praying for Sheetrock and The Temple Bombing, were National Book Award finalists

'More than a vivid, readable account of individual courage in the face of apparently overwhelming odds, this is an important book' The Times 'Interweaving research about the dreaded disease with Haregewoin's incredible story, and that of Ethiopia with her own, the author has written a powerful book with heart' Choice 'A gripping narrative about the AIDS pandemic in Africa' Life 'Unforgettable ... Greene brings Africa's AIDS catastrophe to us as bracingly as the movie Hotel Rwanda brought home the horrors of genocide' More

Melissa Fay Greene is the highly acclaimed author of Praying for Sheetrock, The Temple Bombing (both shortlisted for a National Book Award) and Last Man Out. Sheetrock was included in the 'J' list, compiled by New York University, of the top 100 works of journalism in the 20th century. Greene's December 2002 New York Times magazine article on the plight of the AIDS orphans inspired scores of adoptions and an outpouring of financial support for African orphanages and clinics. She and her husband, Don Samuel, live in Atlanta with their seven children, including two adopted from Ethiopia.