Child of Dandelions

School Library Journal

Gr 6-9 –Fifteen-year-old Sabine lives a life of luxury with her wealthy Indian family

in Kampala , Uganda . Then Idi Amin comes to power and things change quickly.

All British Indians are expelled from the country. Sabine’s father thinks they will be

safe because they are Ugandan citizens, but they soon discover that they are in

serious danger. Sabine’s beloved uncle disappears, and her friend Zena, who is

African, turns against her because Zena’s military uncle has convinced her that the

Ugandan Indians have exploited the African populace. The book effectively portrays

the rising terror and violence in 1972 as Sabine struggles to deal with a world

falling apart. Prejudices are clearly delineated, and the thin veneer of civilization

crumbles as the chilling background beat of the radio relentlessly counts down the

days left before all British Indians must leave the country. Sabine is a mature,

intelligent character amid the chaos, and the political situation is well realized

through her eyes. Secondary characters add depth to the story, and Sabine’s star-

crossed crush on Zena’s older brother makes her a realistic adolescent. Nail-biting

suspense is maintained to the end as Sabine must make the agonizing decision to

leave her grandfather behind to save the rest of the family. Excellent historical

fiction about a timely yet sadly universal subject.

–Quinby Frank, Green Acres School , Rockville , MD

May 2008