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Orange for the Sunsets
A soaring tale of empathy, hope, and resilience, Tina Athaide’s unforgettable middle grade debut follows two friends whose lives are transformed by Idi Amin’s decision to expel Indians from Uganda in 1972.
Twelve-year-old Asha and her best friend, Yesofu, never cared about the differences between them: Indian. African. Girl. Boy. Short. Tall. But when Ugandan President Idi Amin announces that Indians have ninety days to leave the country, suddenly those differences are the only things that people in Entebbe can see—not the shared after-school samosas or Asha cheering for Yesofu at every cricket game.
Determined for her life to stay the same, Asha clings to her world tighter than ever before. But Yesofu is torn, pulled between his friends, his family, and a promise that could bring his dreams of university within reach. Now, as neighbors leave and soldiers line the streets, the two friends find that nothing seems sure—not even their friendship. And with only days before the deadline, Asha and Yesofu must decide if the bravest thing of all might be to let each other go.
Twelve-year-old Asha and her best friend, Yesofu, never cared about the differences between them: Indian. African. Girl. Boy. Short. Tall. But when Ugandan President Idi Amin announces that Indians have ninety days to leave the country, suddenly those differences are the only things that people in Entebbe can see—not the shared after-school samosas or Asha cheering for Yesofu at every cricket game.
Determined for her life to stay the same, Asha clings to her world tighter than ever before. But Yesofu is torn, pulled between his friends, his family, and a promise that could bring his dreams of university within reach. Now, as neighbors leave and soldiers line the streets, the two friends find that nothing seems sure—not even their friendship. And with only days before the deadline, Asha and Yesofu must decide if the bravest thing of all might be to let each other go.
309 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 2, 2019
39 people are currently reading
2076 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 181 reviews
May 7, 2019
I basically learn all of my world history from middle grade novels now.
November 12, 2024
چند صفحهی اول رو که خوندم فکرکردم یکی از اون کتابهای شعاری همراه با چسنالههای آفریقاست که قراره بهزور صحرای کربلا گریه بگیره از مخاطب. ولی خب همچین خبری نبود.
داستان نسبتاً خوب پیش میرفت. هرچند تمرکز بر بخش اجتماعی کم و تاثیر حکومت زیاد بود اما در کل یک واقعهی تاریخی جالب رو با روایتی جذاب پیش بردهبود. ایراداتی به روایت و شخصیتها وارد بود. بعضیها (مثل پدر یسافو) نقش بسیار کمرنگی داشتن و حضورشون ناگهانی و فقط درجهت رفع نیاز نویسنده بود. روی روند تغییر آکلو میشد بیشتر کار کرد. چالشهای ذهنی یسافو رو بیشتر میشد نشون داد و مهمتر از همه اینکه وقتی ما چیزی از دوستی آشا و یسافو ندیدیم سخت بود باقی داستان رو بر فرض اینکه اینها دو دوست صمیمیان پیش بریم فقط و فقط چون نویسنده بهمون میگه اینها خیلی صمیمی بودنااااا.
اما فراتر از ایرادات جزئی ریتم داستان تقریبا خوب بود. روند وقایع منسجم و جذاب بود و هرچند تحول شهر/کشور و مردم خیلی توش مشهود نبود اما میشد با ۹۰ روز از تاریخ اوگاندا تا حدودی همراه شد. در پایانبندی چیزهایی سرسری بود. گویا خود نویسنده هم فهمیدهبود کار کش اومده و بعضی وقایع رو فقط آورده بود که آوردهباشه، اما سریع سروتهش رو همآورهبود. و یهجاهایی هم ریز رفت بهسمت شعاری شدن. ولی خب اونقدرها شعاری نشد که نشه کتاب رو ادامه داد.
در نهایت فکرمیکنم اینکه نقش حماقت و جهل مردم (در سرتاسر دنیا) در شومی سرنوشتشون بیشتر اژ تصمیمات احمقانهی دولتمردانه چیزیه که توی این کتاب کمرنگ شده بود. چنین فاجعهی تاریخی هرگز اتفاق نمیافته مگر اینکه ملتی احمق پشت دیکتاتوری احمقتر باشن و خب نویسنده چقدر راحت از تقصیر مردم خودش گذشتهبود.
در پایان به حامیان همیشگی چسنالههای گوگولی خاورمیانهای یه نمونهی ریز از دیکتاتوری و کشتار در آفریقا رو یادآور میشم. طرف در ۸ سال حدود ۵۰۰ هزار نفر رو کشت. در سه ماه بیش از ۵۰ هزار نفر رو از کشور انداخت بیرون. و … به این میگن دیکتاتور. اما ما همچنان با اطلاعات احمقانهی رسانههای زردمون فکرمیکنیم خاورمیانه مرکز مصیبتهای دنیاست.
داستان نسبتاً خوب پیش میرفت. هرچند تمرکز بر بخش اجتماعی کم و تاثیر حکومت زیاد بود اما در کل یک واقعهی تاریخی جالب رو با روایتی جذاب پیش بردهبود. ایراداتی به روایت و شخصیتها وارد بود. بعضیها (مثل پدر یسافو) نقش بسیار کمرنگی داشتن و حضورشون ناگهانی و فقط درجهت رفع نیاز نویسنده بود. روی روند تغییر آکلو میشد بیشتر کار کرد. چالشهای ذهنی یسافو رو بیشتر میشد نشون داد و مهمتر از همه اینکه وقتی ما چیزی از دوستی آشا و یسافو ندیدیم سخت بود باقی داستان رو بر فرض اینکه اینها دو دوست صمیمیان پیش بریم فقط و فقط چون نویسنده بهمون میگه اینها خیلی صمیمی بودنااااا.
اما فراتر از ایرادات جزئی ریتم داستان تقریبا خوب بود. روند وقایع منسجم و جذاب بود و هرچند تحول شهر/کشور و مردم خیلی توش مشهود نبود اما میشد با ۹۰ روز از تاریخ اوگاندا تا حدودی همراه شد. در پایانبندی چیزهایی سرسری بود. گویا خود نویسنده هم فهمیدهبود کار کش اومده و بعضی وقایع رو فقط آورده بود که آوردهباشه، اما سریع سروتهش رو همآورهبود. و یهجاهایی هم ریز رفت بهسمت شعاری شدن. ولی خب اونقدرها شعاری نشد که نشه کتاب رو ادامه داد.
در نهایت فکرمیکنم اینکه نقش حماقت و جهل مردم (در سرتاسر دنیا) در شومی سرنوشتشون بیشتر اژ تصمیمات احمقانهی دولتمردانه چیزیه که توی این کتاب کمرنگ شده بود. چنین فاجعهی تاریخی هرگز اتفاق نمیافته مگر اینکه ملتی احمق پشت دیکتاتوری احمقتر باشن و خب نویسنده چقدر راحت از تقصیر مردم خودش گذشتهبود.
در پایان به حامیان همیشگی چسنالههای گوگولی خاورمیانهای یه نمونهی ریز از دیکتاتوری و کشتار در آفریقا رو یادآور میشم. طرف در ۸ سال حدود ۵۰۰ هزار نفر رو کشت. در سه ماه بیش از ۵۰ هزار نفر رو از کشور انداخت بیرون. و … به این میگن دیکتاتور. اما ما همچنان با اطلاعات احمقانهی رسانههای زردمون فکرمیکنیم خاورمیانه مرکز مصیبتهای دنیاست.
May 29, 2019
I was concerned that the politics in this novel would be too heavy, but I was totally wrong. The author presented what I felt was a balanced view of the expulsion of Indians from Uganda in 1972 through the dual narratives of Asha and Yesofu. I think this is an important book for our time and could help kids understand world events and provoke some thoughtful discussion. Beyond that, it was a compelling story and one that kept me riveted.
July 13, 2023
June 2023 read: most underrated book ever!
This middle grade book broke my heart! I still keep thinking about this book. Keep in mind regarding the triggers on racial/community specific sensitive expressions when you pick up the book.
This middle grade book broke my heart! I still keep thinking about this book. Keep in mind regarding the triggers on racial/community specific sensitive expressions when you pick up the book.
September 15, 2019
I've only ever read one other book for young people set in this time and that was Child of Dandelions. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... They are both told from an Indian perspective. I would love to read one told from the perspective of a Black Ugandan now.
August 27, 2022
I did not know much about Uganda during the times of Idi Amin. This middle-grade book told the story, sensitively, through the eyes of two 12 year old friends - one African and one Indian. A story of strong friendship bonds, through tragedy and difficulty.
March 26, 2021
This was an amazing and eye-opening book. I loved the alternating chapters between Asha, an Indian girl who had lived her whole life in Uganda, and Yesofu, her good friend who was African. While these particular characters were fictional, the expulsion of Indians from their homeland, Uganda, where they had lived their whole lives, was such a horrible part of history that I didn't know anything about until now. There is a timeline at the end of the book, author's note, bibliography and other resources, all which add to the importance of this book. It is nominated for the 2022 Rebecca Caudill award (a children's choice award) in Illinois. It is available as an e-book through Overdrive/Libby and a digital audiobook through Hoopla.
Reviewed by: Lisa Coleman, Youth and School Services, Vernon Area Public Library
Reviewed by: Lisa Coleman, Youth and School Services, Vernon Area Public Library
December 30, 2020
A wonderful middle grade book about the expelling of South Asians in Uganda under Idi Amin. Paints a thoughtful and age appropriate portrait of a little known conflict through the friendship of Asha and Yesofu. What I particularly liked was the author’s treatment of the conflict and its toll on the nation - there were no clear right and wrongs here, and she addresses that with sensitivity. It was also a Window into what my parents must have gone through when fleeing Tanzania. I especially liked the real life timeline in the back to bring it home.
July 29, 2019
Richie’s Picks: ORANGE FOR THE SUNSETS by Tina Athaide, HarperCollins/Katherine Tegen, April 2019, 336p., ISBN: 978-0-06-279529-8
“You got to look outside your eyes
You got to think outside your brain
You got to walk outside your life
To where the neighborhood changes”
-- Ani Difranco, “Willing to Fight” (1993)
“Nationalism teaches you to hate people you haven’t met.”
-- paraphrased from a friend’s FB post
“‘You don’t get it...do you?’ Akello’s arm pumped up and down.’This is our land. They don’t belong here.’ Water gushed out of the spout. ‘Asha lives in her big house. She goes to fancy dances at her club. She doesn’t have to worry about money. She doesn’t have to quit school.’ Akello stopped suddenly.
‘Neither do you,’ said Yesofu. ‘I can ask Baba to talk to your dad.’
‘It won’t matter. It’s the only way we’ll be ready.’
‘For what?’ Yesofu pulled down on the pump and water spilled into the pail.
‘Once the Indians go, there’ll be land to buy...shops for sale.’ Akello picked up the second pail of water and handed it to Yesofu. Thunder rumbled overhead and they quickly started down the hill.
‘So you’re okay taking from the Indians?’ he challenged Akello.
‘Why not?’
‘I don’t know. It just doesn’t feel right.’ Yesofu imagined Kintu and Café Nile. He’d worked for Mr. Bhatt for years. Bet he wished he could own his own café. But was it right to kick out Mr. Bhatt and give Café Nile to Kintu?
‘It’s not like I’d be stealing,’ said Akello.
‘In a way…’ Their eyes met, each daring the other to back down.
‘You want Asha to stay. But did you ever think that it may not be good for her?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘She’s your friend. I get that.’ Akello stopped in front of his place. ‘But she needs to go. Her Uganda is changing. It’s going to be an Africa for the Africans. Not an Africa for Indians and Africans.’”
It’s 1972. Two Ugandan tweens, Yesofu, who is of African descent, and Asha, whose parents are Indian, are lifelong friends. Yesofu’s mother has been doing domestic work for Asha’s parents since before Yesofu and Asha were born. But when Ugandan dictator Idi Amin decides to expel most of the Indian population from the country, Yesofu is caught between his African friends and Asha.
ORANGE FOR THE SUNSETS counts down the 90 days that Idi Amin gives the Indians to leave Uganda.
A third of the way through the book, a climactic scene sets the stage for the balance of the story. Indian teachers departing Uganda have left Yesofu and Asha’s school shorthanded, necessitating the combining of classes. Yesofu walks into a now-tightly-packed classroom where all of the African kids are sitting together on one side of the room and all of the kids of Indian descent are left on the other side. Yesofu alienates his African friends by taking a seat next to Asha. Then bedlam erupts as Yesofu’s African friend Akello tells the Indian students in no uncertain terms that they are going to be booted out of the country. Yesofu realizes in that moment that, no matter who he chooses to side with or sit with, it’s going to be a loss.
A couple of pages later, a tank and a bunch of soldiers pull up at Asha’s house.
Readers learn the basic historical background of the situation preceding the story: Uganda was a British colony. The British didn’t want to employ the Africans to build the railroads in the early 1900s, so they brought in Indians to do the work. The British left Uganda in 1962. Over time, the Indians had achieved prosperity while the Africans, like Yesofu’s family, remain living in small huts. Now Idi Amin, having consolidated power, promises to take back the country from the Indian Ugandans and improve conditions for the African Ugandans.
Much of the complexity in this coming of age story has to do with the two young people having very different backgrounds and economic statuses. Asha has never once seen Yesofu’s house or neighborhood. She’s an extremely likeable character, one I came to embrace. But either she’s still just too young to see the big picture, or she’s comfortable with the status quo, which is all she’s ever experienced. Either way, Asha has never really understood what underlies the schism being spotlighted and exploited by Idi Amin.
It turns out that far-reaching unintended consequences result from putting a nationalistic finger on the scale. Yesofu stands to lose as much as his departing Indian friends: schools are on the verge of closing; his opportunity to play cricket and, perhaps land a sports scholarship to attend secondary school evaporates; the economy is sinking into chaos; and he is about to see his closest friends for the very last time.
Nationalism pits people against people. It’s a corrosive philosophy. While there is good reason for significant discontentedness among the African population of Uganda in 1972, there is no good reason to expel an entire group of people, most of whom are living honest, decent lives.
Similarly, trying to demonize and ban everyone of a particular religion, or locking up little immigrant kids in cages, is nationalism. Today’s young people will find plenty to consider about this memorable story of 1972 Uganda.
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
https://www.facebook.com/richiespicks/
richiepartington@gmail.com
“You got to look outside your eyes
You got to think outside your brain
You got to walk outside your life
To where the neighborhood changes”
-- Ani Difranco, “Willing to Fight” (1993)
“Nationalism teaches you to hate people you haven’t met.”
-- paraphrased from a friend’s FB post
“‘You don’t get it...do you?’ Akello’s arm pumped up and down.’This is our land. They don’t belong here.’ Water gushed out of the spout. ‘Asha lives in her big house. She goes to fancy dances at her club. She doesn’t have to worry about money. She doesn’t have to quit school.’ Akello stopped suddenly.
‘Neither do you,’ said Yesofu. ‘I can ask Baba to talk to your dad.’
‘It won’t matter. It’s the only way we’ll be ready.’
‘For what?’ Yesofu pulled down on the pump and water spilled into the pail.
‘Once the Indians go, there’ll be land to buy...shops for sale.’ Akello picked up the second pail of water and handed it to Yesofu. Thunder rumbled overhead and they quickly started down the hill.
‘So you’re okay taking from the Indians?’ he challenged Akello.
‘Why not?’
‘I don’t know. It just doesn’t feel right.’ Yesofu imagined Kintu and Café Nile. He’d worked for Mr. Bhatt for years. Bet he wished he could own his own café. But was it right to kick out Mr. Bhatt and give Café Nile to Kintu?
‘It’s not like I’d be stealing,’ said Akello.
‘In a way…’ Their eyes met, each daring the other to back down.
‘You want Asha to stay. But did you ever think that it may not be good for her?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘She’s your friend. I get that.’ Akello stopped in front of his place. ‘But she needs to go. Her Uganda is changing. It’s going to be an Africa for the Africans. Not an Africa for Indians and Africans.’”
It’s 1972. Two Ugandan tweens, Yesofu, who is of African descent, and Asha, whose parents are Indian, are lifelong friends. Yesofu’s mother has been doing domestic work for Asha’s parents since before Yesofu and Asha were born. But when Ugandan dictator Idi Amin decides to expel most of the Indian population from the country, Yesofu is caught between his African friends and Asha.
ORANGE FOR THE SUNSETS counts down the 90 days that Idi Amin gives the Indians to leave Uganda.
A third of the way through the book, a climactic scene sets the stage for the balance of the story. Indian teachers departing Uganda have left Yesofu and Asha’s school shorthanded, necessitating the combining of classes. Yesofu walks into a now-tightly-packed classroom where all of the African kids are sitting together on one side of the room and all of the kids of Indian descent are left on the other side. Yesofu alienates his African friends by taking a seat next to Asha. Then bedlam erupts as Yesofu’s African friend Akello tells the Indian students in no uncertain terms that they are going to be booted out of the country. Yesofu realizes in that moment that, no matter who he chooses to side with or sit with, it’s going to be a loss.
A couple of pages later, a tank and a bunch of soldiers pull up at Asha’s house.
Readers learn the basic historical background of the situation preceding the story: Uganda was a British colony. The British didn’t want to employ the Africans to build the railroads in the early 1900s, so they brought in Indians to do the work. The British left Uganda in 1962. Over time, the Indians had achieved prosperity while the Africans, like Yesofu’s family, remain living in small huts. Now Idi Amin, having consolidated power, promises to take back the country from the Indian Ugandans and improve conditions for the African Ugandans.
Much of the complexity in this coming of age story has to do with the two young people having very different backgrounds and economic statuses. Asha has never once seen Yesofu’s house or neighborhood. She’s an extremely likeable character, one I came to embrace. But either she’s still just too young to see the big picture, or she’s comfortable with the status quo, which is all she’s ever experienced. Either way, Asha has never really understood what underlies the schism being spotlighted and exploited by Idi Amin.
It turns out that far-reaching unintended consequences result from putting a nationalistic finger on the scale. Yesofu stands to lose as much as his departing Indian friends: schools are on the verge of closing; his opportunity to play cricket and, perhaps land a sports scholarship to attend secondary school evaporates; the economy is sinking into chaos; and he is about to see his closest friends for the very last time.
Nationalism pits people against people. It’s a corrosive philosophy. While there is good reason for significant discontentedness among the African population of Uganda in 1972, there is no good reason to expel an entire group of people, most of whom are living honest, decent lives.
Similarly, trying to demonize and ban everyone of a particular religion, or locking up little immigrant kids in cages, is nationalism. Today’s young people will find plenty to consider about this memorable story of 1972 Uganda.
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
https://www.facebook.com/richiespicks/
richiepartington@gmail.com
March 10, 2024
A middle grade novel about a time period and a dictator I knew nothing about. I appreciated the eye-opening view of what it was like from both the Indian and African point of view.
However, this book felt bogged down in the middle. I almost didn’t finish it. I’m really glad I did because the ending felt compelling for the first time for me.
Content: violence
However, this book felt bogged down in the middle. I almost didn’t finish it. I’m really glad I did because the ending felt compelling for the first time for me.
Content: violence
Read
October 19, 2019Caught between cultures as Uganda enacts the expulsion of Asians from its borders, best friends Asha and Yesofu must figure out what that means for their friendship. This is a compelling story about a little known (to me, anyway) historical event. Hand to readers of The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani or The Red Pencil by Andrea Davis Pinkney.
July 16, 2022
Really good book about an event in history that I never knew about. Bonus: the female protagonist is named Asha Gomez!!
March 8, 2022
This was so good! And so interesting. This is a story about a period in history I knew absolutely nothing about. I loved how much nuance the author brought to the story through the eyes of Yesofu and Asha's eyes.
September 29, 2020
The protagonists live in the same town and go to the same school, yet they live in different worlds: poverty, hard labor and poor prospects vs privilege, wealth and bright future. But, being best friends since early childhood, their differences never mattered until now. With the orders from the new president, the roles are being reversed. Africa is for Africans now, and the Indian people are ordered to leave.
This is a wonderfully written book that worked really well in our Historical Fiction Book Discussion. The events described in the book are less known in the Western World, and unfairly so. The issues these children and families are faced with, deal with privilege, injustice and tragic divisions between people - making it a great thought-provoking book for the current times.
Books like this one definitely beat textbooks when it comes to learning history.
Highly recommend!
This is a wonderfully written book that worked really well in our Historical Fiction Book Discussion. The events described in the book are less known in the Western World, and unfairly so. The issues these children and families are faced with, deal with privilege, injustice and tragic divisions between people - making it a great thought-provoking book for the current times.
Books like this one definitely beat textbooks when it comes to learning history.
Highly recommend!
August 21, 2018
Beautiful book!
Tissues required!
Tissues required!
September 8, 2020
Asha and Yesofu were both born in Uganda, but their lives have always been different. Asha lives with other families with Indian heritage in a big, beautiful house with all the modern conveniences. Yesofu's mother works as a servant for Asha's parents and his family lives in a two room shack with no running water. Despite their differences, they have always been best friends. Until the day that Uganda's president announces all Indian people have 90 days to leave the country. The controversial move spikes tensions and ignites violence across the country as neighbors who lived together peacefully now find themselves at odds. Will Asha and Yesofu's friendship be able to survive? Will Asha's family make it to safety before the deadline? With every day that passes the deadline gets closer and life for those left behind becomes more dangerous.
This story switches between Yesofu and Asha's perspectives and does an excellent job presenting multiple viewpoints on a difficult period in history. I was moved to read Asha and Yesofu's story and glad to learn about a period of history I knew next to nothing about. The brutality of the period isn't hidden, but because we are seeing it through the eyes of children and their limited experiences it's still appropriate for its middle-grade audience. The book follows the 90 day timeline and it's shocking how fast the situation in the country changes during those 90 days.
This story switches between Yesofu and Asha's perspectives and does an excellent job presenting multiple viewpoints on a difficult period in history. I was moved to read Asha and Yesofu's story and glad to learn about a period of history I knew next to nothing about. The brutality of the period isn't hidden, but because we are seeing it through the eyes of children and their limited experiences it's still appropriate for its middle-grade audience. The book follows the 90 day timeline and it's shocking how fast the situation in the country changes during those 90 days.
January 25, 2021
Preparing for a Sequoyah author visit next week with this book, about Uganda in 1972 in which the President had a dream of kicking out all foreign Indians. In this book, it affects the relationship between an Indian girl and one of her servant’s sons, a native Ugandan. They grew up best friends but quickly this relationship changes when it becomes difficult for them to understand each other views.
The chapters move really quickly and rotate between both Indian Asha and Ugandan Yesofu’s points of view, making it hard to put the book down!
You might think this sounds heavy for 5-6th grade, but every student that I have talked with who has read this book, rated it 8-10 out of 10 and told me they loved it. Proof pre-teens can and do handle hard things. I do love how these books teach them compassion for people different from themselves.
“Dada Amin had promised a great future, but a future is hard to build when there’s nothing left.” P305
The chapters move really quickly and rotate between both Indian Asha and Ugandan Yesofu’s points of view, making it hard to put the book down!
You might think this sounds heavy for 5-6th grade, but every student that I have talked with who has read this book, rated it 8-10 out of 10 and told me they loved it. Proof pre-teens can and do handle hard things. I do love how these books teach them compassion for people different from themselves.
“Dada Amin had promised a great future, but a future is hard to build when there’s nothing left.” P305
March 26, 2021
This was an amazing and eye-opening book. I loved the alternating chapters between Asha, an Indian girl who had lived her whole life in Uganda, and Yesofu, her good friend who was African. While these particular characters were fictional, the expulsion of Indians from their homeland, Uganda, where they had lived their whole lives, was such a horrible part of history that I didn't know anything about until now. There is a timeline at the end of the book, author's note, bibliography and other resources, all which add to the importance of this book. It is nominated for the 2022 Rebecca Caudill award (a children's choice award) in Illinois. It is available as an e-book through Overdrive/Libby and a digital audiobook through Hoopla.
May 14, 2024
Like other books I had to read for LS 621, I learned a lot about other parts of the world but what made this book "good" but not "great was the friendship - or lack of friendship. This book was centered around a single relationship that was supposed to be the key driving force, but it didn't seem that strong or that the two kids even really liked each other by the time the book started which definitely took some of the "oomph" out of the narrative.
Still think it's a great story and good for readers looking for contemporary books and good for boys and girls as it has dual protagonists, just not my favorite book.
contains racial violence, bullying
Still think it's a great story and good for readers looking for contemporary books and good for boys and girls as it has dual protagonists, just not my favorite book.
contains racial violence, bullying
September 10, 2020
The friendship of an African boy and Indian girl in Uganda is complicated, put to the test, and ultimately shines when Idi Amin orders the expulsion of Indians in 1972. This is an own-voices story where the author explores class and race and the attitudes and events of the time. I learned a lot, but seamlessly, through story.
March 19, 2022
Read for Middle Grade March. The expulsion of Indians from Uganda took place when I was 10 years old. I was ignorant about this event until reading this book. Another reason to love historical fiction…learning about history through the eyes of compelling characters.
March 13, 2022
I had no idea about the events that happened in Uganda in 1972 prior to reading this book. I appreciated that both Asha's Indian perspective and Yesofu's Ugandan one is included in the book. I especially enjoyed the events timeline and author's note in the back.
May 12, 2023
Well written middle grade novel. I never knew that an event like this even happened. And now I’m a bit less ignorant.
May 30, 2019
I would have given it a five, if it had ended better. It seemed like it ended at a cliffhanger, and I want to know what happened to Asha and Yesofu, but there isn't anyway to find out because there isn't a sequel yet, and if there is one I'll probably have forgotten the book by then.
October 8, 2022
Until reading this book I knew nothing about this time in history. This book did a great job of telling the history and adding a story with wonderful characters.
March 28, 2026
I have to admit that I didn’t know that Uganda had an expulsion of Indians in 1972. This book was well researched and felt like it accurately portrayed what it might have been like to live through this event in history.
January 4, 2021
Embarassed to say that I never knew about the events of 1972, when Indians were expelled from Uganda. Asha and Yesofu's stories are brave, yet incredibly heartbreaking, and this middle grade novel is well-told. and, at least for me, a reminder of how many historical events we are ignorant of.
September 11, 2020
I thought this book was so good. It's from 2 points of view. An Indian and an African tell their story of when the Indians are forced to leave Uganda.
August 19, 2020
Yesofu, an African boy, and Asha, an Indian girl, are best friends living in Entebbe, Uganda. When Idi Amin seized power in Uganda, he gave the Indians living there 100 days to leave -- and to leave everything behind. Asha and Yesofu struggle with their friendship and both come to realize there was a large societal divide between them (Yesofu's mother worked as a housemaid for Asha's family). The author's family left Uganda before the expulsion and she included some photos and sources for further reading. Nominated for the 2020-2021 Maine Student Book Award.
August 17, 2020
I was alive when this story took place, but I was only 8 years and we here basically have no idea of the atrocities that happen worldwide. This book shows that being a refugee is not a new crisis. I appreciate how it opened my eyes to the happenings in Uganda in the early 70's under Idi Amin. I had heard his name, but I did not know the acts he committed. This is not a comfortable read, but it is an important one.
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