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Burn My Heart
The Mau Mau – the name of a secret society that once struck terror into the hearts of British settlers in Kenya. An episode in history that ended in a State of Emergency, with violent and brutal acts dividing a nation. This is an intensely personal and vivid story of two one black, one white. Once they were friends even though their circumstances are very different. But in a country riven by fear and prejudice, even the best of friends can betray one another . . . Internationally acclaimed and award-winning author Beverley Naidoo explores new territory in this beautifully realized and moving story set in Britain's colonial past.
194 pages, Paperback
First published July 5, 2007
About the author
Beverley Naidoo
63 books96 followersBeverley 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 145 reviews
March 17, 2021
This is a review for my re-read of Burn My Heart. My original review was five stars and I believe the book is a five star YA novel on its first read through because of how surprising and powerful the ending is.
December 12, 2014
This novel manages to not only inform the reader but also includes them within an engaging story. Beverley Naidoo does just this within the novel “Burn my Heart”. Naidoo raises very real issues within the gripping of the imagination, she includes many native words along with an index in the back to translate them allowing the reader to be fully indulged within the context and plot of the story line. Naidoo carefully uses her talent to draw the reader into a place and time of when boys who were only 11 and 13 would climb through a hole cut in a perimeter fence, and only the white boy is the one who is carrying a gun. Showing the reader that this is Kenya in the 1950’s where the time of emergency is just beginning. One of the main characters Mathew Grayson who is only 11 is the one in which is carrying the air gun. His family and himself are living in a smallholding in a bush while this whole conflict is occurring. Mugo, the other main character is 13 and also lives on the bwana, Grayson’s smallholding. At one point and time this land had belonged to his ancestors until his grandfather had ventured forth in a adventure, heading for Nairobi and ended up helping with the war. One day his grandfather believes Ngai will return the land to its rightful owners. He just discussed that all his sons and grandchildren need to care for their sacred turf, continue their roles as servants and bide their time. But such a strategy has worn too thin for a good few Kikuyu by the middle of the 20th century. It is then discovered that the hole in the fence has been cut by a secret army of resisters who are determined to reclaim what is rightfully theirs. The political realities are neither downplayed nor over-dramatized, providing a tightening structure for this tense and tragic tale. And the poetry is here too, provided most powerfully through the evocation of the wild and tamed life of Kenya. In the first chapter, Mathew and Mugo have to run for their lives to escape a stampeding elephant. When Mugo visits his aunt in the "location" in town, discovering later that his elder brother has run away from school to join the Mau Mau, he has in his pockets two little wooden elephants he has carved. Duma, the loyal household dog, wriggles through the broken fence without a care; the horses tended by Kamau for the Graysons flee in terror as the stables burn. All these creatures inhabit the book with vitality, symbolizing something more universal and essential than the specific details of this particular human conflict. Burn My Heart moves, enlightens and reminds us about a time in British colonial history, a time of African struggle, in which helps us to understand how things are now with a little more insight. And, most of all, it is a fine story of friendship, trust, betrayal and loss. This book I feel is very deep and intricate for the age group in which this is included in. Some of the details that this book includes is not necessarily graphic, but still a little disturbing for a child. Personally I would not include this book within my classroom because my age group is too young for this sort of material. While this book is a great educational book, allowing the children to be fully immersed in a story line in which is passing along non-fictional information to them. This book brought upon many mixed feelings within myself, the underlying message this story has is very sad and the fact that it is true tears me up inside even more. Overall, this book is a great and easy read, just be prepared to feel some strong emotions that are prevailed throughout the story.
Naidoo, B. (2009). Burn my heart. New York, NY: Amistad.
Naidoo, B. (2009). Burn my heart. New York, NY: Amistad.
March 12, 2019
"'Is someone a leader who tells brother to kill brother?' Baba demanded." (87)
I read this book as a requirement for my Young Adult Literature class. I had no idea that this was even happening in Africa. I am so glad that I read this book and that I have the chance to read others like it because they are so eye-opening. That is why we write books, to open the minds of others to a world and a perspective they don't already know. I also liked how Naidoo used both perspectives to tell the story, and how the parallel events in their lives were also so contrasted that it really showed the difference in the characters and the gravity of the problem.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking to learn more about conflict in Africa. This book was censored in South Africa, and I think I would use it to teach about censorship. I would use it to teach about this issue, and to teach about privilege in America and Africa. I would use it to open my students' minds to the rest of the world. My professor used it to teach us that we are not the majority of the world. We need to be aware that our comfortable lives are not "the norm" in the world. I think I would do the same, not to guilt my students, but to make them aware of the real world. I would also use this book to teach them about colonization in general and the reality of it all. I would use it to let them know that these kinds of things still go on today. I'd use it to help them be more aware and awake.
WARNINGS:
Drugs - No
Sex - No
Rock & Roll - The whole story is rock & roll because of the crazy things that are happening. There are lots of questions that beg answers, like the quote I shared at the beginning of this review.
Language - Yes, but very little.
Violence - Yes
I read this book as a requirement for my Young Adult Literature class. I had no idea that this was even happening in Africa. I am so glad that I read this book and that I have the chance to read others like it because they are so eye-opening. That is why we write books, to open the minds of others to a world and a perspective they don't already know. I also liked how Naidoo used both perspectives to tell the story, and how the parallel events in their lives were also so contrasted that it really showed the difference in the characters and the gravity of the problem.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking to learn more about conflict in Africa. This book was censored in South Africa, and I think I would use it to teach about censorship. I would use it to teach about this issue, and to teach about privilege in America and Africa. I would use it to open my students' minds to the rest of the world. My professor used it to teach us that we are not the majority of the world. We need to be aware that our comfortable lives are not "the norm" in the world. I think I would do the same, not to guilt my students, but to make them aware of the real world. I would also use this book to teach them about colonization in general and the reality of it all. I would use it to let them know that these kinds of things still go on today. I'd use it to help them be more aware and awake.
WARNINGS:
Drugs - No
Sex - No
Rock & Roll - The whole story is rock & roll because of the crazy things that are happening. There are lots of questions that beg answers, like the quote I shared at the beginning of this review.
Language - Yes, but very little.
Violence - Yes
June 3, 2018
Read in a day as a test read for one of my classes. A bit too didactic for my taste, didn’t love one of the two boys or their supposed relationship, or the writing. But an interesting setting that might make for a good way to teach the time period/place to kids in middle school. Just not using it for mine.
October 17, 2012
"Burn My Heart", set 1951-53, details a bloody time in Kenyan history, when white settlers took land from Africans, some of which built up a military resistance known as the Mau Mau.
The theme of this book is truly worth discussing, although I learned a lot more about it from the author's afterword than from the actual story.
Beverly Naidoo raises the interesting (and quite shocking) statistic that although people 'felt' it were more, the Mau Mau only killed 32 white people - which is not defendable, but puts a rather gruesome perspective on the thousands of Africans that fell victim to the British retribution.
What Naidoo's story does well - and what I think is important to show in such situations - is that although there were extremists on both sides, and normal people felt the problems (albeit that the settlers saw the problems in a different and less problematic manner), most normal people just tried to live their day-to-day lives in the given circumstances, as this was hard enough. It is always easy to blame the entire nation - and indeed often done so in the media - but in most cases the truth looks entirely different.
Another thing that is good about this book is that Naidoo chooses a young settler boy and a young African working in his house as her protagonists. This allows her to show both sides of the conflict, as well as keeping the topic open for young readers.
There are some problems with this though, and these result in the missing stars.
For one, while Mugo is quite an interesting and well-developed character, who reacts to the events around him, Matthew is way more passive, and falls rather short. (He also seems to be a bit dumb at times, as he thinks things through at one point, and then completely ditches his thought process a few pages in.) This causes the entire story to become a bit unbalanced, as the African point is now much stronger, which I don't think Beverly Naidoo would have wanted, seeing how she decided to tell it from both sides in the first place.
I also think that, while this book could be good for children, some things that seem too pre-planned, or are explained in too flat a way mean that this is not as enjoyable for adults. This is not a general problem with children's world fiction (see Kashmira Sheth or Gloria Whelan for details), but it happens here.
Thus, I would certainly recommend this for children (and advise adults to at least read the afterword and talk to their kids about this), I do not think it is suitable for adults. Despite being quite informative in the end.
The theme of this book is truly worth discussing, although I learned a lot more about it from the author's afterword than from the actual story.
Beverly Naidoo raises the interesting (and quite shocking) statistic that although people 'felt' it were more, the Mau Mau only killed 32 white people - which is not defendable, but puts a rather gruesome perspective on the thousands of Africans that fell victim to the British retribution.
What Naidoo's story does well - and what I think is important to show in such situations - is that although there were extremists on both sides, and normal people felt the problems (albeit that the settlers saw the problems in a different and less problematic manner), most normal people just tried to live their day-to-day lives in the given circumstances, as this was hard enough. It is always easy to blame the entire nation - and indeed often done so in the media - but in most cases the truth looks entirely different.
Another thing that is good about this book is that Naidoo chooses a young settler boy and a young African working in his house as her protagonists. This allows her to show both sides of the conflict, as well as keeping the topic open for young readers.
There are some problems with this though, and these result in the missing stars.
For one, while Mugo is quite an interesting and well-developed character, who reacts to the events around him, Matthew is way more passive, and falls rather short. (He also seems to be a bit dumb at times, as he thinks things through at one point, and then completely ditches his thought process a few pages in.) This causes the entire story to become a bit unbalanced, as the African point is now much stronger, which I don't think Beverly Naidoo would have wanted, seeing how she decided to tell it from both sides in the first place.
I also think that, while this book could be good for children, some things that seem too pre-planned, or are explained in too flat a way mean that this is not as enjoyable for adults. This is not a general problem with children's world fiction (see Kashmira Sheth or Gloria Whelan for details), but it happens here.
Thus, I would certainly recommend this for children (and advise adults to at least read the afterword and talk to their kids about this), I do not think it is suitable for adults. Despite being quite informative in the end.
November 18, 2012
Reviewed by Natalie Tsang for TeensReadToo.com
Eleven-year-old Matthew Grayson and thirteen-year-old Mugo are more than best friends. Together, they have adventures in the Kenyan bush with Matt's trusty dog, Duma. Kenya in the 1950s seems like the perfect playground.
There are elephants, impalas, and hyenas that live in the acres and acres of "Grayson Country," land that Matt's grandfather bought from the British government. Mugo and his family are Kikuyu, native Kenyans who have lived on the land for as long as anyone remembers, and now work as servants. While Matt and Mugo's friendship crosses social, economic, cultural, and racial barriers, the political atmosphere pushes it to a breaking point as their differences increase in number and severity.
In BURN MY HEART, Beverley Naidoo crafts a story about how fear can destabilize the strongest friendships. The escalating conflict between British settlers and a group Kikuyu call the Mau Mau is told through the tight lens of the two boys.
While she voices both political sides and reveals problems of both the British settlers' treatment of the Kikuyu and the Mau Mau's destructive and coercive methods for unity, readers will be as torn as Matthew and Mugo in choosing sides. Matt's friend, Lance Smithers, is charismatic and fun, but, like his father, views the Kikuyu as sub-human. Likewise, Mugo watches as people he admires and respects join the Mau Mau.
This novel transcends its historical context. Naidoo creates characters that are faced with difficult choices, but it never seems like they are examples in a social science lesson. Readers with find her characters at times frustrating, but it is satisfying to experience how they mature and change. The author is particularly successful in not only showing how hard it is to make the right decision, but also the difficulties of determining what is right and wrong.
BURN MY HEART is a compelling novel. Five stars.
Eleven-year-old Matthew Grayson and thirteen-year-old Mugo are more than best friends. Together, they have adventures in the Kenyan bush with Matt's trusty dog, Duma. Kenya in the 1950s seems like the perfect playground.
There are elephants, impalas, and hyenas that live in the acres and acres of "Grayson Country," land that Matt's grandfather bought from the British government. Mugo and his family are Kikuyu, native Kenyans who have lived on the land for as long as anyone remembers, and now work as servants. While Matt and Mugo's friendship crosses social, economic, cultural, and racial barriers, the political atmosphere pushes it to a breaking point as their differences increase in number and severity.
In BURN MY HEART, Beverley Naidoo crafts a story about how fear can destabilize the strongest friendships. The escalating conflict between British settlers and a group Kikuyu call the Mau Mau is told through the tight lens of the two boys.
While she voices both political sides and reveals problems of both the British settlers' treatment of the Kikuyu and the Mau Mau's destructive and coercive methods for unity, readers will be as torn as Matthew and Mugo in choosing sides. Matt's friend, Lance Smithers, is charismatic and fun, but, like his father, views the Kikuyu as sub-human. Likewise, Mugo watches as people he admires and respects join the Mau Mau.
This novel transcends its historical context. Naidoo creates characters that are faced with difficult choices, but it never seems like they are examples in a social science lesson. Readers with find her characters at times frustrating, but it is satisfying to experience how they mature and change. The author is particularly successful in not only showing how hard it is to make the right decision, but also the difficulties of determining what is right and wrong.
BURN MY HEART is a compelling novel. Five stars.
February 23, 2009
Burn My Heart[return][return]Burn My Heart will have you biting your nails and butterflies bumping against the walls of your stomach. This is a truthful, deeply serious and valuable contribution missing from the historical fiction stacks in school libraries. [return][return]You are the vicarious witness to the fear, prejudice and misunderstanding endured by the Kenyan people during the 1950s. After fighting alongside the British soldiers during WWII, black inhabitants were not allowed to share power with the British settlers. Further, they adopted a parental philosophy toward the black citizens, believing them incapable of governing themselves. [return][return]Beverly Naidoo brilliantly unravels the untold history of hate that pitted white settlers against African citizens. Through the eyes of young Mathew, she is able to show both sides of the conflict. You read about the Africans who want results quickly and terrorize the British landowners through fear and bloodshed, and any possible means to force compliance. A secret society called Mau Mau, was formed to organize terror attacks, conscript membership and create ruination and ultimate surrender by the white landowner. Yet, others would rather place their efforts on peaceful negotiations, and an immediate end to the Mau Mau. [return][return]This is a novel of anxious intrigue that will hold you captive as the story builds to the end. You ll love this thriller of a history lesson with an added message of forgiveness A perfect addition to middle and high school libraries. Highly recommended. [return]
October 8, 2015
Burn My Heart is about two boys that live in Kenya. The problem is Mathew is white, and Mugo is black so they share an uneasy relationship. Mugo works for Mathew's father as a kitchen toto (child). Problems rise in the village when a fire starts in one of Mathew's Father's barn and many animals are killed. The next morning, Mugo's family is accused of starting the fire because they think that they are part of the growing Mau Mau rebellion which threatens British settlers so Kenyans can win back their freedom. But can Mugo's family prove to them that they are not in the Mau Mau?
I gave this book one star mainly because of the really bad ending. Also because the author didn't make the characters seem clear or which group who was in. The author decided to put all the meanings of the words in the book and character map at the end instead of the front which was really frustrating to me. The title of the book was Burn My Heart and it did burn my heart because it threw away all the good memories I had with books for the past month because this book was really terrible like I mentioned, and it was so bad I do not feel like picking up a book again.
I gave this book one star mainly because of the really bad ending. Also because the author didn't make the characters seem clear or which group who was in. The author decided to put all the meanings of the words in the book and character map at the end instead of the front which was really frustrating to me. The title of the book was Burn My Heart and it did burn my heart because it threw away all the good memories I had with books for the past month because this book was really terrible like I mentioned, and it was so bad I do not feel like picking up a book again.
April 30, 2014
Burn My Heart is a novel set in Kenya in the 1950’s, about two boys, Mathew and Mugo, who live on the same Kenyan land however one is white and one is black. The two boys live in a time when the whites were the richest and the blacks were very poor. However, when the Mau Mau Society begins to grow, fears rise and the friendship between Mathew and Mugo will surely be tested. The boys grow together and learn valuable lessons from one another. Even though they are really good friends, it is not an easy one. Throughout the story the reader wonders if the two boys were ever true friends. When a dispute happens between Mathew and Mugo’s fathers the two boys will eventually part ways. I like that this book has two different languages in it, however, the reader can relate to the glossary in the back of the book to see the meaning of the word. This is a great learning book. There are two diverse cultures and the book portrays it well. A good read for highschool students!
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December 8, 2014Burn My Heart follows the story of two boys, one a white settler's son, Mathew, and the other a Kenyan native who works for the white settler, Mugo. The two boys are friends at the start of the novel, but the white family allows the prejudices of other to infect their perspectives and mistrust begins to spread between Mathew's family and their employees. Mugo is in a constant moral dilemma, as he knows this land was his grandfathers, and his family made a promise to take their land back one day, yet he wishes no harm on Mathew or his family. When a fire starts and fingers begin being pointed, and the real tragedy of this story begins.
Reading level: Grades 4+ (Reading level actually 4-6, but the themes are so transcendent, I would recommend this book to anyone.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beverley...
Reading level: Grades 4+ (Reading level actually 4-6, but the themes are so transcendent, I would recommend this book to anyone.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beverley...
January 12, 2018
As historical fiction, Beverley Naidoo's story serves as a vehicle for bringing to light a poorly documented period of history leading up to Kenya's independence. The story juxtaposes two boys' experiences, one as the colonial land owner's son and the other as son to a native laborer. Each boy's choices have unintended consequences, spiraling out of control within the larger Mau Mau independence movement. But even though it is rooted in history, the message is clearly aimed at themes of nationalism, self determination and forgiveness.
Intended for upper elementary, the book reads quick. There are several dialectic terms and names used but a glossary is available in the back of the book. The colonial father also uses "damn" eight times. I'm sure the author intended it to emphasize the stress felt by the adults, but is unnecessary as the story telling presents the tension well enough without the expletive.
Because the book spirals into tragedy, the level of violence increases throughout the book. Initial tension involves a angered elephant but eventually escalates through bullying, killing and eating a wild bird and ultimately into interrogation and torture. As the native families are uprooted and torn apart, the native son endures forced near drowning and sees his dying father's body. While the colonial son also endures bullying and difficult adversities, his struggles are largely internal with little external hardships or permanent loss.
I would recommend this book to boys around ages 11-13, the same ages as the boys portrayed. Themes of colonialism, apartheid, segregation and racism should be addressed with young readers. While the violence is not overly disturbing, it is compelling and demands a response from the reader.
I would also caution readers not to try and equate the story with the civil rights movement in the United States, though the story occurs during the same time. Some of the themes (such as oppression an racism) may have similarities but the circumstances presented are deeply rooted within an African historical context and more closely resemble the Japanese-American internment camps.
Intended for upper elementary, the book reads quick. There are several dialectic terms and names used but a glossary is available in the back of the book. The colonial father also uses "damn" eight times. I'm sure the author intended it to emphasize the stress felt by the adults, but is unnecessary as the story telling presents the tension well enough without the expletive.
Because the book spirals into tragedy, the level of violence increases throughout the book. Initial tension involves a angered elephant but eventually escalates through bullying, killing and eating a wild bird and ultimately into interrogation and torture. As the native families are uprooted and torn apart, the native son endures forced near drowning and sees his dying father's body. While the colonial son also endures bullying and difficult adversities, his struggles are largely internal with little external hardships or permanent loss.
I would recommend this book to boys around ages 11-13, the same ages as the boys portrayed. Themes of colonialism, apartheid, segregation and racism should be addressed with young readers. While the violence is not overly disturbing, it is compelling and demands a response from the reader.
I would also caution readers not to try and equate the story with the civil rights movement in the United States, though the story occurs during the same time. Some of the themes (such as oppression an racism) may have similarities but the circumstances presented are deeply rooted within an African historical context and more closely resemble the Japanese-American internment camps.
May 3, 2017
Burn My Hear is about the friendship of two boys during apartheid in Kenya in the 1950s. One boy is black (Mugo) and one boy is white (Matthew), making them unlikely friends. Matthew's family settled on Mugo's peoples' land in a previous generation. The Mau Mau form a rebellion and many people get drug into whether they wanted to or not, being forced to take an oath. Mathew's father and Mugo's father were friends when they were boys and although Mathew's father counts on Mugo's father to take care of his horses, something happens to cause Mathew's father to be suspicious of him. This story is about friendship in the midst of adversity. It is heart wrenching to think that these injustices occurred. This is the first book I have read about this period in history. The author, Beverly Naidoo, grew up in Southern Africa during apartheid. Even though her life was very different from both boys she is able to tell the story as an insider would. She has written other books during this time period and I would like to read them as well. She has won several awards for her books including the Carnegie Medal, the Jane Addams Book award and the American Library Association Best Book for Young adults for The Other Sid of Truth.
January 31, 2021
Though it was hard for me to get into this book at first, I ended up really liking it. Between the conflict and plot, there are important lessons that I loved to discover. I read this book for my ENG356 class. That was the main reason I decided to read it, but I was also interested in the story after reading a quick summary of the book.
I feel that this book could be one taught in public schools. It is historical fiction, so it based on events that actually happened in history. This is something that students can learn from. Not only that, but it also has important lessons such as friendship, bravery, honesty, justice, equality, and mercy. It would be an amazing book to teach students the importance of doing the right things even when it is hard, and standing up for your beliefs and what you know to be true and right. If taught correctly, this book could be beneficial for any grade level. I would also recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction that is inspiring because this book was meaningful to me.
Warnings for the faint of heart:
Drugs: No, only cigarettes are mentioned.
R&R: Guns, hunting, and inequality are various topics that could be questionable for some readers.
Sex: No.
Language: No.
I feel that this book could be one taught in public schools. It is historical fiction, so it based on events that actually happened in history. This is something that students can learn from. Not only that, but it also has important lessons such as friendship, bravery, honesty, justice, equality, and mercy. It would be an amazing book to teach students the importance of doing the right things even when it is hard, and standing up for your beliefs and what you know to be true and right. If taught correctly, this book could be beneficial for any grade level. I would also recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction that is inspiring because this book was meaningful to me.
Warnings for the faint of heart:
Drugs: No, only cigarettes are mentioned.
R&R: Guns, hunting, and inequality are various topics that could be questionable for some readers.
Sex: No.
Language: No.
February 22, 2019
This book shook me. I felt this overwhelming sense of anger, directed at everyone at some point in the book. I think I’d recommend this book to anyone whose opinionated, because I know their opinions will change frequently throughout the book. I’d also recommend this book to any American born student to open their eyes to the world outside of the United States.
As a future teacher, I would teach this book in comparison to our Civil War. I would want my students to analyze the cause of each war, the different sides involved, the methods involved and especially the outcome. I think this would allow my students to become more aware of the world and it’s different problems.
WARNINGS:
• Sex: N/A
• Drugs: N/A
• Violence: This is about war, there is all sorts of violence including killing, beating and kidnapping.
• Language: 9 D words and 1 H word.
• Rock & Roll: This book is very intense because you see the affects of war up close and personal in the lives of two friends, Mathew and Mugo. We see loyalty turn into betrayal and friends turn into enemies. It’s heartbreaking and yet so so real.
As a future teacher, I would teach this book in comparison to our Civil War. I would want my students to analyze the cause of each war, the different sides involved, the methods involved and especially the outcome. I think this would allow my students to become more aware of the world and it’s different problems.
WARNINGS:
• Sex: N/A
• Drugs: N/A
• Violence: This is about war, there is all sorts of violence including killing, beating and kidnapping.
• Language: 9 D words and 1 H word.
• Rock & Roll: This book is very intense because you see the affects of war up close and personal in the lives of two friends, Mathew and Mugo. We see loyalty turn into betrayal and friends turn into enemies. It’s heartbreaking and yet so so real.
March 5, 2019
Burn My Heart tore my heart apart. The things that people have to go through for no reason is beyond inhumane. I had to read this book for my college course of Young Adult Literature and I'm glad I did. This book is set during the British Colonial History when Africans were really struggling. But this book goes to the core with friendship, betrayal, loss, and trust. I would reccomend this book to anyone wanting to learn more about African history or anyone just interested in a good book.
I think that this book would be good in a high school setting because some things were a little hard to grasp with the swahili and kikiyu words. I as a college student has some trouble with comprehension so I think that this book is a little above a middle schoolers comprehension ability. But I think that high school age students could get a lot out of it. It would be a great book to have students read to learn more about history of the world not just the history of the united states.
Drugs: none
Sex: none
Rock & Roll: some intense scenes (fire, when Mugo follows his parents in the night, when Mugo's dad is taken)
Language: Mild language
Violence: couple scenes of violence involving Mugo
I think that this book would be good in a high school setting because some things were a little hard to grasp with the swahili and kikiyu words. I as a college student has some trouble with comprehension so I think that this book is a little above a middle schoolers comprehension ability. But I think that high school age students could get a lot out of it. It would be a great book to have students read to learn more about history of the world not just the history of the united states.
Drugs: none
Sex: none
Rock & Roll: some intense scenes (fire, when Mugo follows his parents in the night, when Mugo's dad is taken)
Language: Mild language
Violence: couple scenes of violence involving Mugo
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 5, 2019
I read this book because it was a requirement for my Young Adult Lit Class. I am glad I read it because it opened my eyes to a time in history I was oblivious to before. It also explored the themes of racial prejudice and is a book that can really open your eyes and get you thinking.
I thought this book was good for all age groups. I would choose to teach this book in a middle school classroom. The themes are deep enough to think about but still easy enough to identify. The reading is straightforward and not too challenging, but it also has symbolism and a lot of things that can help with studying character development, identifying purposes and motives of characters, and identifying themes and conflict. It is a great book to read and to study in the classroom.
Warnings: Sex
Drugs: No
R&R: Two young boys slice their fingers open to make an oath with each other. In humane treatment of people is explored.
Violence: Yes, but it is not too graphic. A character has to listen to his father being tortured and sees his father dragged away.
Language: A mild swear word is spoken by an adult character.
I thought this book was good for all age groups. I would choose to teach this book in a middle school classroom. The themes are deep enough to think about but still easy enough to identify. The reading is straightforward and not too challenging, but it also has symbolism and a lot of things that can help with studying character development, identifying purposes and motives of characters, and identifying themes and conflict. It is a great book to read and to study in the classroom.
Warnings: Sex
Drugs: No
R&R: Two young boys slice their fingers open to make an oath with each other. In humane treatment of people is explored.
Violence: Yes, but it is not too graphic. A character has to listen to his father being tortured and sees his father dragged away.
Language: A mild swear word is spoken by an adult character.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 28, 2019
I did not like this book, but I have a feeling I wasn’t supposed to. The obvious racism of the side characters was disgusting and disturbing, and I’m pretty sure the author wanted her readers to feel that way. I do have some complaints about how the story took a while to develop, but that might just be because I’m not the intended audience. I may not have loved it, but I do think I’m glad to have read it.
If I were to use this book in a classroom setting, I would have my students read and research it’s background. In America, though we have had awful laws in the past, we have never truly dealt with the level of racism South Africa has. I would help my students understand how lucky we are to be in America where despite the existence of racist individuals, we don’t have any laws that condone racism. To imply that we do not only makes us ignorant, but trivializes the actual acts of racism that happened in places like South Africa.
Content warnings:
Violence
Racism
Doesn’t have a happy ending
If I were to use this book in a classroom setting, I would have my students read and research it’s background. In America, though we have had awful laws in the past, we have never truly dealt with the level of racism South Africa has. I would help my students understand how lucky we are to be in America where despite the existence of racist individuals, we don’t have any laws that condone racism. To imply that we do not only makes us ignorant, but trivializes the actual acts of racism that happened in places like South Africa.
Content warnings:
Violence
Racism
Doesn’t have a happy ending
March 5, 2019
The concept of this story was fascinating, learning about a conflict that I knew very little about previously; however, I felt the story itself fell a bit flat at times. While it was informational and really made you feel for the people in the story, I felt that I would have preferred more of a storyline and perhaps a resolution at the end. Having Mathew or his father stand up for everyone or perhaps revealing a secret about one of the parents might have caused for more intrigue. Regardless, I recognize that this is a middle grade book so of course it isn't tailored to my personal reading preferences. For a student of this age group it is very appropriate and informative.
I would share this book with my youngest sister who is in this age group but is very mature for her age so she would be able to feel for these characters more and better understand it.
Warnings
Sex: No
Drugs: No
R&R: Discrimination/ mistreatment of people because of their race.
Language: No
Violence: Mild references to killings and potential killings.
I would share this book with my youngest sister who is in this age group but is very mature for her age so she would be able to feel for these characters more and better understand it.
Warnings
Sex: No
Drugs: No
R&R: Discrimination/ mistreatment of people because of their race.
Language: No
Violence: Mild references to killings and potential killings.
March 10, 2021
I read this book for my English 356 class. I really enjoyed this book. Having it from the perspective of two young boys with similar, yet vastly different lives was amazing. I felt that I gained a lot of knowledge and perspective from this book.
I think that this book should be taught in public schools. It is an insightful book that brings attention to several issues. Before reading this book I had no knowledge of the struggles that some of the characters and their people faced. I think that it brings attention to this problem, and problems still going on like it today. By introducing this book into public schools it will increase student's knowledge of these problems and hopefully get them to become more involved in trying to help solve or lessen them. If not they will at least be more informed.
Warnings:
Violence: There are some scenes with violence, but nothing graphic. A certain group of people are treated as if they were not human.
Language- Mau Mau is used often (not sure if this is considered offensive or not)
I think that this book should be taught in public schools. It is an insightful book that brings attention to several issues. Before reading this book I had no knowledge of the struggles that some of the characters and their people faced. I think that it brings attention to this problem, and problems still going on like it today. By introducing this book into public schools it will increase student's knowledge of these problems and hopefully get them to become more involved in trying to help solve or lessen them. If not they will at least be more informed.
Warnings:
Violence: There are some scenes with violence, but nothing graphic. A certain group of people are treated as if they were not human.
Language- Mau Mau is used often (not sure if this is considered offensive or not)
March 5, 2019
WOW! where can I even begin with this one?! I can't express in words how well written and beautiful told this story was. Beverly Naidoo did a fantastic job in conveying the relationship between Mugo and Mathew. It was easy to follow and understand what was happening even with the slang of their language thrown in. It broke my heart, but then again some books have to do that in order for you to fully understand its message and purpose.
This book would completely and utterly be a great addition to any high school literature class. It is easily read and the messsage conveyed I feel is important for students to be aware of at a young age. The significance this would have in helping the curriculum would be awareness of our own privilege as well as the struggles faced by those of other countries even today.
Warnings:
* Drugs- No
* Sex- No
* R&R-Outward Racism
* Violence- Yes
* Language- No
This book would completely and utterly be a great addition to any high school literature class. It is easily read and the messsage conveyed I feel is important for students to be aware of at a young age. The significance this would have in helping the curriculum would be awareness of our own privilege as well as the struggles faced by those of other countries even today.
Warnings:
* Drugs- No
* Sex- No
* R&R-Outward Racism
* Violence- Yes
* Language- No
March 6, 2019
I read this book because it was assigned to me for my YA lit class. This novel does an excellent job of educating readers about Apartheid while also telling a gripping story of two boys and their lives. I really enjoyed the juxtaposition of the two perspectives. This would be a great novel to teach about privilege while also hitting on a part of history on race and colonization. I would recommend this novel to those interested in and bothered by the treatment of minority groups, especially black people. I want everyone to read this novel and I think it is important because of how recent these conflicts were. I think it is necessary for teenagers to learn about this part of history to be aware of how far we have come, while also recognizing that we still have a long way to go.
Warnings:
Drugs/Sex: N/A
R&R: Treatment of people as less than human
Violence: Yes, but not hyper graphic
Language: Not that I recall
Warnings:
Drugs/Sex: N/A
R&R: Treatment of people as less than human
Violence: Yes, but not hyper graphic
Language: Not that I recall
January 29, 2021
I read this book for my ENG 356 class on Young Adult Literature. It was chosen by our professor.
I would reccomend Burn My Heart to be taught in schools, it covers a piece of history that is barely documented, and provides multiple perspectives on the event. While not surprising, it was largely new information for me, another drop in the bucket for all the horific things settlers did to those already living there. These things should be acknowledged, lest we commit the mistakes of the past. The 'innocent' persepctive of the children on both sides provides a refreshing take that doesn't reveal everything, and yet so clearly lays it out before the reader.
Warnings for the faint of heart: Mild use of language, nothing severe or frequent. People run around with guns, including children for sport. A boy hears his father being brutalized. Low level graphic depiction of a dead bird being cooked and eaten. A man is clubbed. Mentions of whips being used on laborers.
I would reccomend Burn My Heart to be taught in schools, it covers a piece of history that is barely documented, and provides multiple perspectives on the event. While not surprising, it was largely new information for me, another drop in the bucket for all the horific things settlers did to those already living there. These things should be acknowledged, lest we commit the mistakes of the past. The 'innocent' persepctive of the children on both sides provides a refreshing take that doesn't reveal everything, and yet so clearly lays it out before the reader.
Warnings for the faint of heart: Mild use of language, nothing severe or frequent. People run around with guns, including children for sport. A boy hears his father being brutalized. Low level graphic depiction of a dead bird being cooked and eaten. A man is clubbed. Mentions of whips being used on laborers.
February 3, 2021
I was assigned to read this book for a class, and I had no Idea what it was going to be about. This book broke my heart. It honestly made me think about parenting. I want to make sure I raise my kids in a way that they will stand up for truth and righteousness no matter what. I love how the book provides the two completely different viewpoints.
I would most definitely use this book in my future classes. It has great history that I believe the students should be aware of. It has a wonderful plot, and it teaches valuable lessons. It would definitely be for the younger age groups, but I think this is a phenomenal book.
Warnings: (for the faint of heart)
Language: none... that I remember
Drugs: none
Rock and Roll: discrimination, and this book just really gets you in the feels, throw up
Violence: two boys cut themselves with knives, some people are tortured (not descriptive)
Sex: none
I would most definitely use this book in my future classes. It has great history that I believe the students should be aware of. It has a wonderful plot, and it teaches valuable lessons. It would definitely be for the younger age groups, but I think this is a phenomenal book.
Warnings: (for the faint of heart)
Language: none... that I remember
Drugs: none
Rock and Roll: discrimination, and this book just really gets you in the feels, throw up
Violence: two boys cut themselves with knives, some people are tortured (not descriptive)
Sex: none
November 9, 2017
I learned a great deal from reading this book and I was not expecting to learn so much in such an engaging way. Beverley Naidoo tells the story of two young boys with two completely different lives and cultures in a way that interests yet informs the reader about the cultures of the Kenyans and the British in the 1950’s. I had no previous knowledge on this problem that occurred not that long ago and so this book really opened my eyes to a part of world history I did not know about. I loved how Naidoo tells the story from Mathew, the young, white, British boys perspective and Mugo, the young, black, African boys perspective. The two sides of the story make the conflict feel more real and more understandable to the reader. This historical fiction piece touches on friendship and how quickly that friendships can end because of clashing cultures.
March 1, 2019
I read this book because it was assigned for a class.
If I were to teach this novel in a class, I would do so with the intent of helping my students see the fact there are two sides to every story. The fact that the story is told from both Mathew and Mugo's perspectives is very helpful in illustrating how race and socioeconomic status can impact experiences we have as human beings. This book deals with themes such as justice and responsibility, as well as forced maturity in the face of dangerous wartime situations.
Sex: 0 No mention of any sexual content whatsoever.
Drugs: 0 No mention of any drug use whatsoever.
Language: 0
Violence: 3 There are few instances where violence and battery are implied. One of the characters gets a gun pulled on him. There are also a few threats of violence.
If I were to teach this novel in a class, I would do so with the intent of helping my students see the fact there are two sides to every story. The fact that the story is told from both Mathew and Mugo's perspectives is very helpful in illustrating how race and socioeconomic status can impact experiences we have as human beings. This book deals with themes such as justice and responsibility, as well as forced maturity in the face of dangerous wartime situations.
Sex: 0 No mention of any sexual content whatsoever.
Drugs: 0 No mention of any drug use whatsoever.
Language: 0
Violence: 3 There are few instances where violence and battery are implied. One of the characters gets a gun pulled on him. There are also a few threats of violence.
March 4, 2019
Burn My Heart was a very good read! This is not something that I would have read on my own, and I am glad I took the time to read this book. I had to read this for my Young Adult Literature class. This book brought up the importance of hearing out both sides to a story. It was also interesting how this book was written through the perspectives of Matthew and Mugo and really shows that the people of color were treated so poorly. I would recommend this book to everyone! It was an eye-opener on viewing racism.
I would teach this book in my classroom for sure! I would teach that there are always two sides to a story and that it is important to listen to both sides. I would also teach that it is okay to be friends with people who do not look like you. I would also teach that racism is learned, a person is not born racist.
Content Warnings:
-Some violence
I would teach this book in my classroom for sure! I would teach that there are always two sides to a story and that it is important to listen to both sides. I would also teach that it is okay to be friends with people who do not look like you. I would also teach that racism is learned, a person is not born racist.
Content Warnings:
-Some violence
March 6, 2019
This is a book that is so educational as well as powerful. This should be taught for all ages, starting at like a 6th grade reading level. It's easy enough to read at this age but still powerful enough to retain interest in older years. Apartheid is a topic that most people don't know about and needs to be taught. Race and colonialism could be taught and a better understanding could be taught at all ages.
In teaching this book, I would introduce the situation that occurred in South Africa and how it affected people. While reading the class could evaluate Mathew's thought process and superiority he has over Mugo and evaluate the relationship of the children. The adults' behavior is something we could discuss as well. Countries' actions of hiding history is a whole topic that could be examined.
Trigger Warnings:
Drugs:No
Violence: Yes
Sex: None
R&R: Duma knows what's going on.
Language: None
In teaching this book, I would introduce the situation that occurred in South Africa and how it affected people. While reading the class could evaluate Mathew's thought process and superiority he has over Mugo and evaluate the relationship of the children. The adults' behavior is something we could discuss as well. Countries' actions of hiding history is a whole topic that could be examined.
Trigger Warnings:
Drugs:No
Violence: Yes
Sex: None
R&R: Duma knows what's going on.
Language: None
January 31, 2021
Warning: discuses historical events that involve some violence
This book was amazing heartbreaking and very informative . I am sad to admit I didn't even know the historical significance of this book before I read it . I didn't know about this part of history of the 1950's and what was going on in Kenya at the time. This is terrible and I feel like this book should most definitely be mandatory in public school. To at the least make sue that the history of this time is taught . As I never learned about this in school.
I read this book at part of a YA book class. But I very much liked it and the information of this point in history it taught me. This book jumps between the perspective of Mathew and Mugo . One the son of the owner and the other a worker on his fathers lands. It jumps between each point of view as we see history form two very different view points .
This book was amazing heartbreaking and very informative . I am sad to admit I didn't even know the historical significance of this book before I read it . I didn't know about this part of history of the 1950's and what was going on in Kenya at the time. This is terrible and I feel like this book should most definitely be mandatory in public school. To at the least make sue that the history of this time is taught . As I never learned about this in school.
I read this book at part of a YA book class. But I very much liked it and the information of this point in history it taught me. This book jumps between the perspective of Mathew and Mugo . One the son of the owner and the other a worker on his fathers lands. It jumps between each point of view as we see history form two very different view points .
February 2, 2021
Interest Level: High
Reading Level: Medium
This book explores something that not many people know about, or at least I certainly did not. Mugo is a african kid living as a servant on his own land, which is owned by white British settlers. Mathew is the son of those British settlers, and the two have an uneasy friendship. This book was an interesting one for me to read, because it really blurs the line between who is right and who is wrong. Was it Mathews fault for living on Mugos ancestral lands, even though he is just a kid? And Mugo faces the question of betraying his friend Mathew and his family. They stole his families land and he must face a difficult question of justice and revenge. This book was a really good one to read, and I am glad I did.
Warnings for the faint of heart: Violence.
Reading Level: Medium
This book explores something that not many people know about, or at least I certainly did not. Mugo is a african kid living as a servant on his own land, which is owned by white British settlers. Mathew is the son of those British settlers, and the two have an uneasy friendship. This book was an interesting one for me to read, because it really blurs the line between who is right and who is wrong. Was it Mathews fault for living on Mugos ancestral lands, even though he is just a kid? And Mugo faces the question of betraying his friend Mathew and his family. They stole his families land and he must face a difficult question of justice and revenge. This book was a really good one to read, and I am glad I did.
Warnings for the faint of heart: Violence.
July 19, 2025
BURN MY HEART is a young adult novel by Beverley Naidoo that chronicles the friendship between two boys, one black and one white, on a white farm during the Mau Mau uprising in Kenya in the 1950s. I'd previously read the author's THE OTHER SIDE OF TRUTH and had liked, but not loved, it, and I felt the same about this book. The concept is a good one and the conflict comes in thick and fast, making this a page-turning read, but there's some problem with the main characters, namely that only one of the dual narratives - from the black perspective - is engaging, while the other narrator feels a bit staid. The author does a good job of charting the oppression, racism and hatred on both sides of the conflict, making this an even-handed read, while also charting the difficulties for ordinary folk just trying to survive during a volatile situation.
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