Two best friends living under Ugandan President Amin’s divisive rule in the early 1970s must examine where — and who — they call home. Asha and her best friend, Yesofu, never cared about the differences between them: Indian. African. Girl. Boy. Short. Tall. But when 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 of a better future. Now as neighbors leave and soldiers line the streets, the two friends find that nothing seems sure — not even their friendship.
From debut author Tina Athaide comes a soaring tale of empathy, hope, and resilience, told in alternating chapters between two friends who wonder if their differences are destined to drive them apart.
"Through the eyes of two 12-year-olds, Athaide’s timely middle grade debut captures Uganda’s political unrest during three months in 1972, following President Idi Amin’s rapid expulsion of those of Indian descent from the country.... In alternating chapters, Athaide presents each child’s frustration at the other’s perspective, as well as their concern for each other’s welfare and their growing awareness of the danger their friendship poses to their families. This compassionate novel conveys the multiple injustices and tragedies experienced by both African and Indian Ugandans during this period, and the power of friendship to sustain hope in tumultuous times." — Publishers Weekly
Recommended Age | 10 - 14 |
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Author | Tina Athaide |
ISBN | 0062795295 |
Publication Date | Apr 2, 2019 |
Publisher | Katherine Tegen Books |
Language | English |