Fifteen-year-old Jake Knight is an explorer and adventurer at heart but this often gets him into trouble. When a stuffy English boarding school suspends him for rule-breaking, Jake flies out to Burkina Faso where his parents are living. He is expecting a long, adventure-filled vacation under a smiling African sun. But what awaits him there is kidnapping, terrorism and Yakuuba Sor - the most wanted outlaw in the Sahara desert.

Stephen Davies has been living amongst Fulani herders in West Africa. He speaks Fulfulde, eats millet, and accompanies cattle-drives. He has been involved in the set-up of a Fulfulde radio station which will broadcast news, griot music and advice about cows, crops and health. He also writes for theGuardian Weekly(Letters from Burkina Faso) and occasionally for theSunday Times. Have a look at his website: www.voiceinthedesert.org.uk