Chain of Fire

by Beverley Naidoo, Eric Velásquez (Illustrator)

When the villagers of Bophelong are forced to leave their houses and resettle in a barren "homeland," thirteen-year-old Naledi and her younger brother join in a school demonstration and learn that the South African government treats even children who dissent with brutality.Betrayed by their chief, who has sold off their homes, impoverished Naledi and her friend Taolo, inhabitants of a divided South Africa, form a fierce student opposition to the oppression of their people

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Africa, South Africa, Childrens, Chapter Books, Fiction

245 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

Beverley Naidoo was born in South Africa on 21 May 1943 and grew up under apartheid. As a student, she began to question the apartheid regime and was later arrested for her actions as part of the resistance movement in South Africa. In 1965 she went into exile, going to England. She married another South African exile; they have two children.

Reviews

[The other John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aarrrgh! I said I wanted to read a sequel to Journey to Jo'burg, since I felt that book ended before reaching a happy ending. So now I've borrowed and read the sequel and guess what? It has a worse ending. Chain of Fire picks up the tale of Naledi and her family, in 1980s South Africa. Apartheid is still in force and this time Naledi's whole village is getting the screw. The powers that be have decided that Naledi's people should go back to their "homeland"--never mind that just about everybody in the community was born in their current village. As renters, the rank and file don't have a lot of leverage to fight back, but they do what they can to protest the move. The government, of course, and... well, let's just say that apartheid sucks and I wasn't given the pleasure of seeing the bad guys put in their place. Part of me wants to ask for another sequel, but part of me wants to accept the tale as is, realizing that injustice doesn't always get a swift and tidy comeuppance. This is the type of book that should be read, so that those of us who have been spared a life of poverty might recognize some of the hallmarks of oppression and work from our end to stop it.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a required book that we had to read for school, and I have to say I wasn't impressed. First and foremost, I am always disappointed with a book that has pages that "feel weird". I thought the book was poorly made, and poorly written. At the very beginning of the book, I knew it wasn't going to be enjoyable. As I kept reading, it did go from 2 stars to 3, but I still was disappointed. The ending was weird, and I felt like Beverly Naidoo was trying to fit a 5 chapter ending into 2. Overall, I was quite bored with the book, and I was suprised with the bad quality since our Language Arts teacher normally selects excellent books for us to read. I may be just not getting it, and this book may be other's favorites, but it just didn't work for me. I haven't read the sequel, Journey to Jo'Burg, and I don't think I will anytime soon.

[Suzanne]

I am not going to finish this book. I am going to fudge my mini-paper for it. Why? Because the illustrations don't match the story. Story says boy is wearing khaki shorts yet illustrations show boy in jeans. Also, if they are in Africa and cannot even afford milk, why is the girl wearing a similar outfit to the one I used to wear to Hot Skates? Maybe protagonist lady should be less fashion forward. I have little tolerance for sloppy publishing.

[Sabrina Lin · Rating 2 out of 5]

At first the book is pretty exciting when Naledi and other villagers wanted to protest because their land were talking over by the "white people". However, in the middle, the motion kind of slows down. Villagers were getting injuries or put into prison while protesting to the government. I wouldn't really recommend this book to other people because I think it's kind of confusing.

[Sanabel Atya · Rating 3 out of 5]

انتهت طريقهم الطويلة جداً.... بانتظار انتهاء طريقنا !

[simon test 2]

Iowa

[Emily L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring! Surprising! African! Beautiful! Heartbreaking! Educational! Political!

This book will make you see life through new eyes. This story follows not only a family but an entire tribe of people. People who haven't got much to begin with - that are forced out of their homes and their town. They were forced to go to a city where they had nothing and did not want to leave. These people try speaking out against their forcible removal. Which is also a surprise because they were never informed before. The words of the people fall on deaf ears - no one in power will listen to them. Soon the teenagers plan a peaceful protest march and keep it a secret. As they march with signs in hand past the elementary school they are joined by younger children. Police wait with bats ready and vicious attack dogs, the peaceful protest quickly becomes a violent riot... and most of the victims are only children... Some children are taken by the police, detained and tortured. The day comes that the people are forced out. Grabbing their meager belongings as they see their homes destroyed. They are trucked away by the authorities to a horrible slum a refugee camp. This book ends with hope as word begins to get out about how the people were treated. News and media begins to cover their stories. The people begin to understand that there are also good people out there who care about them and want to help. More and more people will join in their fight each person another link in the chain...

This book reminds us of the easy lives we live. You can not read it without reflecting on the lives of these people. They don't have electricity in their homes. They don't even have running water. Each household in the town must carry buckets to a single tap each day. You realize that their lives are Hard. Even so, they get along and live in peace and harmony with each other. Then their difficult lives get even more hard as they are displaced and sent somewhere even worse.

This book was excellent with rich descriptions and beautiful artwork it tells a story that needs to be heard even today.

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I learned a lot and was engaged the whole way through. I wish there were MG book options authored by other (nonwhite) voices also.

I also wish I could find Black South African perspectives on this book. Do people who grew up in similar circumstances to Naledi feel that this book his historically accurate, containing Truth?

[Bibliobites Veronica · Rating 4 out of 5]

A hard story well told. It doesn’t all wrap up neatly (and it shouldn’t) but it ends hopefully.

[Kathy Hale · Rating 3 out of 5]

A family is part of the fighting of apartheid. Interesting POV for YA readers.

[? · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chain of Fire by Beverly Naidoo is a great book. Naledi comes home to her village to find big painted numbers on her door. The police say they have to move in four weeks to a “homeland”, so the white people can get the land they live on. Together with her friend Taolo, they start a movement. Will Naledi even have time to think of resisting when her grandmother's condition is worsening every day? Will they be able to peacefully protest without getting killed? Can they succeed? One of the strengths of this book is that Beverly makes it really deep. You can almost feel like you are with Naledi as the Apartheid destroys.

[Madeleine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my favorite books in the world as a kid. Set in apartheid south africa (and read before apartheid ended). South African government's creation of "homelands" for various ethnic groups (utterly lacking in resources, human rights, or sovereignty), through the eyes of teen/tween characters who struggled against this.

A "homeland" and a "state" can be two very, very different things.

[Johnson Lin · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a novel well-written, but with a few minor setbacks. The main setback is with all the African words; I had to Google most of the words to find out their meaning. However, putting all that aside, I found that Chain of Fire was one of the best books I've ever read. It's basically a compendium of all the historical events that happened during apartheid and infused in fictional characters, but also based on a true story.

[Rawan Abu Qamar · Rating 4 out of 5]

قصة نضال أبطالها الأطفال قبل الكبار، ترويها بيفرلي نايدو بلسان ناليدي ابنة الخامسة عشرة سنة و عائلتها وأصدقائها وأهل قريتها (بوفيلونغ) عن التمييز العنصري الذي تعرضوا له في واحدة من أبشع محاولات الترحيل والتطهير العرقي لسكان جنوب أفريقيا ، التي شنها عليهم الأبرثهايد ولكن أحداً لم يستسلم ؛ كان عليهم الدفاع عن أراضيهم وأنفسهم وقضيتهم وقد فعلوا حتى النهاية، حتى سقط حكم الطغاة البيض ، و أكملت الحياة على أرض جنوب أفريقيا طريقها.

[Mrs Mac McKenzie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was written quite simply about the effect of apartheid on normal people and families in South Africa who had to struggle to survive. It is a good commentary on life under these conditions, and is the middle book of a trilogy by Naidoo.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book that explains the struggles many blacks went through in South Africa during the years of the Apartheid. It is not sugar-coated, nor does it have a happy ending, but it teaches a lot about injustice and the fight for freedom and equal rights.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

So sad. How can human beings treat other human beings so cruelly?

[Kayla · Rating 1 out of 5]

We had to read this for school, and I really didn't like it.

[LeAnne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even children are treated with brutality in this apartheid era book.

[T · Rating 3 out of 5]

Black youth fight against apparteid. Struggles to find peace and freedom. Completely clean except for some violence. Ok for Jr - mature theme.

[Laurie D'ghent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Makes you really grateful to live in America. There are so many things we take for granted every day that millions of people go without.

[Rachelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great for teens; shows the tension between being an activist and considering family. I think Naidoo's short stories are her best writing but this is a real picture of apartheid through a teen's eyes.

[Qetharah Alyan · Rating 5 out of 5]

مزيج بين الحب والحرب

[Carolyn Lockwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gripping novel detailing the horrors of apartheid. I felt connected to the main characters. Highly recommended the book.

[SuHa Dali · Rating 3 out of 5]

من أجمل صراعات الكفاح والنضال لأجل البقاء

[sydney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another good book about apartheid for younger readers.