The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm by Nancy Farmer

The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm is an adventure fantasy novel about 3 over-protected children in futuristic Zimbabwe. When they decide to break the bonds of their sheltered existence for a day, they find themselves in a series of perilous situations which lead them further and further from home. The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm are the unusually gifted detectives who are sent out to find the children.

This is a wonderful story made even more rich with Nancy Farmers vivid descriptions. It's beautifully written, and the originallity of the story makes it a refreshing addition to any library. While it's apparently geared toward children (middle grade to teen), the complexity of the story coupled with Nancy Farmer's wonderful storytelling, will captivate adults as well.