Playing a Dangerous Game

by Patrick Ochieng

Lumush and his three friends live with their families in Railway Estate, spending their free time in the countryside or in the yards behind the estate, playing a game of chance called pata potea next to the wreck of an old car. When the boys’ attention begins to wander farther, they discover a deserted house believed to be haunted. As they explore the house, they learn that it’s not ghosts they have to fear but the malevolent Mwachuma. By day he works in his junkyard, but by night he and his accomplices steal coffee from the railway yard and smuggle it into the “ghost house.” As the young boys are drawn into this criminal underworld, they face a mounting danger that threatens both themselves and their families.

With rich storytelling and gripping adventure, Playing a Dangerous Game is a brilliant debut set in 1970s Kenya from a talented new voice in children’s fiction.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Audiobook, Childrens

208 pages, Hardcover

Published August 17, 2021

Reviews

[Lulu]

This was a quick, entertaining read. Definitely reminiscent of Ali Cross and his buddies solving a crime. I wouldn’t mind reading more by this author.

[Crystal]

Fun little story of African boys in a neighborhood. A little snapshot of early teen life in Kenya. I think boys would like this book.

[Hannah]

Ideal for upper elementary students, this book is a fun read into a culture different from America. The plot is simultaneously low stakes yet exciting for the reader.

[Gus]

Some problems with pacing, but a good plot nonetheless.

[Cheryl]

Well. I wanted to like it well enough to recommend, and I did. I do recommend it to any library that wants to broaden its diversity or historical fiction collection. And the adventure is exciting.

But so much confused me. It's not just that there's a lack of a glossary for the vocabulary words, but also that everyone is known by one name, so I keep having to remember that A** is a girl, and A** is a close adult, and A** is an adult less well known. And the mystery itself is actually not all that confusing.

But why is (Mr.) Bumbles so mean to our mc at Hill School?

[Ms. Yingling]

E ARC provided by Netgalley

Lumush (which is short for Lumumba) lives in Nairobi, Kenya in about 1975 with his sister Awino, brother Deno, mother, and father. His father has recently been promoted to manager, so while the family continues to rent a house in the Railway Estates, there is now enough money for him to go from St. Joseph's Primary and attend the much nicer Hill School. His mother gets him his uniform and supplies, and soon he is enjoying the nicer facilities but having to put up with the teachers and students who look down on him. He still hangs out with his neighborhood friends, Odush, Dado, and Mose. They frequently hang out in an old, abandoned car, and are enthralled by a local "ghost house" where a woman and her daughter were said to have died, and where the father is said to have killed himself. During one of their sorties into the house, Lumush breaks his arm and has to have it in a plaster cast, which does not make his mother happy! There are lots of interesting details about Lumush's life, like the appearance of a film corporation truck that shows outdoor movies in the housing estate, the monthly spraying of toxic chemicals to control mosquitoes, the fact that Idi Amin was removing the Indian immigrant population from nearby Uganda, and the circumcision of one of the friends. Also mentioned is the spike in coffee prices due to weather damaging much of the Brazilian crop. This becomes entwined with the boys' investigation of the ghost house, as they uncover a devious plot to smuggle coffee and have to deal with Tumbo, a local police chief. When a local boy is killed in an odd traffic accident, are Lumush and his friends in a dangerous situation?
Strengths: For me, books are the best way to travel the globe and learn the details about how people live, and I'm so glad that we're starting to see titles like Baitie's Crossing the Stream (June 8th 2021 by Norton Young Readers), especially since recently I've had a number of students who have lived in African countries before coming to my school, and they are so thrilled to see books that remind them of home. (One girl who was from Nigeria even introduced me to Nollywood films!) Not only that, but this was a fast-paced book about boys roaming around the neighborhood and getting into low levels of mischief, and that is always a popular sort of book. There's just enough history to encourage students to learn more about this time period. The cover is great, and the illustrations remind me of some of the reading textbooks I had in the 1970s-- those colors!
Weaknesses: Other cultures have different norms when discussing or describing things. Many characters are described as "fat", or with words that US culture would deem judgmental. This is not a weakness, but a warning that there is some discussion of male circumcision, with female circumcision hinted at, as well as some depictions of drinking parlors, grave robbing, and violent deaths that might make this a difficult read for elementary school students.
What I really think: Definitely purchasing, and I hope that Norton Young Readers continue to find titles written about a variety of different countries by people who have lived in them! I hope that Mr. Ochieng is planning on writing more as well.

[Nancy Alvarado]

Read this with my 14yo daughter. It felt like a series of vignettes involving these boys. It was a bit of a surprise at the end to have a story come out of the various pieces.

What I liked: It did what I love best about historical fiction: it taught me about different times and different places. I can't say I knew anything about 1970s Kenya before this.

What could be improved: It needs a glossary! So many words and terms we got an idea about from the context, but we just wanted to understand better. For example, a certain fruit was named, and my daughter and I were curious if this was some sort of citrus fruit or more like an apple or what. A glossary would have helped us understand this and understand so much more about this world. I don't think the book/story/vignettes needed to be interrupted with definitions, but a glossary that we could choose to read would help people like us for which this is all new. So, while I liked that this book taught me about a time and place I knew nothing about, I only feel like I know a *bit* more.

[Erin Hatt]

This book is a fun, middle grade historical fiction set in Kenya. Revolving around a boy and his friends, I enjoyed getting glimpses into their lives as they uncover mysteries of a local home that's haunted, coffee smuggling, and more. Although it's a children's book, I enjoyed it as a 40 year old and I think other adults might enjoy it too, especially if they're reading it with a child who fits in the demographic it's written for. I found it to be interesting, and it caught my attention early on which I think is important especially in a book for kids when there are so many things to distract them from reading.

Please note that I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway, but that has no influence on my review.

[Sooz Hutch]

Thanks to Goodreads for this book won in a giveaway! This book is set in 1970’s Kenya and circles around 4 friends. They live in the same area as each other and meet everyday at a broken down car. They become interested in a house the whole area believes is haunted. So they investigate! I liked the whole mystery vibe but also the friendships. One boy has moved to a fancier school bc of his dads position but they still all remain friends. I like the different words I was not familiar with sprinkled throughout as well. I knew nothing about this area and it was interesting to learn alittle about it. I’m going to give it to my 10 yr old daughter to read as well!

[B Pastore]

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway.

On the one hand I truly enjoyed reading this book and getting an insight into the life of a group of young friends who sometimes struggled to grow up in Kenya in the 1970's. What their lives were like and the challenges they faced (for them and their families). On the other hand I would have enjoyed having more information on their lives and the transition from one event to another.

I look forward to putting this book in our Little Free Library to be available to our neighbors and community members to read, learn from and enjoy.

[Tessyohnka]

My grandson was really tough on this one, but I have to say that I agreed. Despite the things we learned about Kenya, and the references to Idi Amin, the book seemed to roam between the topics of school, friendships, fitting in, strict parents, class distinctions, it finally settled on the boys getting involved in police business and putting themselves in harm's way. After wandering for most of the book's journey, it summed up very quickly.

[Autumn]

Fun quick read about 4 young teen guys goofing around in 1970s Nairobi. I’m happy to read a universal coming of age story that’s giving me strong Stand By Me vibes but set in an interesting place and time I rarely get to hear about. It has a nice nostalgic tone — maybe not a ton of immediacy or action, but tons of atmosphere. Great middle grade library purchase!

[Jennifer Willoughby]

This is a fun middle grade read about a group of friends in 1970's Kenya. They are struggling to grow up and scrapping along the way. They work to manage their teachers and parents who seem to get in the way of having fun and just living life. This is a great book for fans of the 1986 movie, Stand By Me.

[Gina]

I think I liked this book... I think I also need to make a second pass at this book. I think I liked the first half because it was unlike anything I'd ever read before. The second half of the book kind of reminded me of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.

[Jennifer Halbur]

A group of boys inadvertently find themselves in the middle of a coffee smuggling operation. Great coming of age book and a story of persistence.

[Kelly]

A quick little trip to 1970s Kenya with Lumush and his friends is just what you need right now!

[Pam]

Historical fiction -- children's. Look into 1970"s Kenya. Coming of age, mystery.

[M.]

It was a good read.

[Got Twins-Need Coffee]

Quick entertaining read about a group of boys growing up in 1970's Kenya who find themselves wrapped up in a coffee smuggling operation.

[LeeAnn]

I mentioned on my Bookstagram that this book reminded me of the 1986 movie Stand By Me.

It's the same coming-of-age style story.

[Sherry Brown]

This book is about the adventures of four young boys and their friendship. Never a dull moment for these boys! I really enjoyed this book and feel middle age kids would too!

[Erhu Kome]

A sweet coming of age book children will love. Adults too. The author wrote with a child like voice that was hard to ignore, something not every writer can do well.

[Pamela]

A great novel for middle grade kids to savour and mull over.