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Child of Dandelions

Child of Dandelions Review on Literary Safari

Review Booklist - June 1, 2008

Sabine is 15 years old in the summer of 1972, when Ugandan president Idi Amin issues his proclamation that all “foreign Indians” must leave the country within 90 days. Unlike many of the Indians in their Kampala community, Sabine was born in Uganda, and although she is of Indian ancestry, she feels as much a Ugandan as her best friend, Zena, an “ethnic African.” As the countdown continues, though, the terrifying street violence reaches into Sabine’s home, and she realizes that despite her family’s Ugandan citizenship, they aren’t immune from the president’s decree. Nanji, who grew up in East Africa, exposes a period of shocking, rarely viewed political history in this vivid story that makes the horrors feel both personal and universal. Sabine’s close, realistic friendship with Zena, who admires “Dada Amin,” mirrors societal warfare over issues of class, race, and nationhood. The story’s authentic emotions and relationships balance the detailed cultural and historical explanations and combine in a gripping story of a remarkable teen who helps her family face impossible loss. — Gillian Engberg

For many young people, this debut YA novel will put Uganda on the map, and for those aware of Africa's violent conflicts, the author offers some insight into the seeds planted deep in its past. The book unfolds through the third-person perspective of 15-year-old Sabine. It opens on August 6, 1972--the morning after Uganda's president, Idi Amin, has had a dream that "all foreign Indians" must be expelled from the country--and the narrative extends through the 90-day period he gives the Indians to flee. As a man spits at Sabine, who is Ugandan-born but of Indian descent, her best friend, Zena, defends her. "One day you'll see with new eyes," the man replies, a foreshadowing of the pain to follow.

Sabine's grandfather, Bapa, came to Uganda from India when British colonials recruited workers to build the Kenya-Uganda Railway. Now Bapa runs a successful farm, and his son, Sabine's father, is a wealthy businessman. Zena and her family work on Bapa's farm. The two girls spend every spare moment together; Bapa calls Sabine and Zena "twin beans of one coffee flower." But the escalating resentment the Ugandans develop toward those of Indian descent begins to affect the girls' friendship. On day 12 of the countdown, Sabine's uncle disappears; on day 29, Zena tells Sabine of her own uncle's plans to arrange Zena's marriage to "a high-ranking official in the army"; and on day 36, Zena tells Sabine, "We have to clear our land . . . You are the child of dandelions." With smooth pacing, African-born author Nanji reveals the inequalities of Ugandan society as they enter Sabine's consciousness. The heroine starts out certain of her father's commitment to stay in Uganda, and grows stronger in her defense of the Indians who come under increasing attack. But her resolve diminishes as the tide of hatred becomes seemingly insurmountable. The author paints a balanced portrait; both Sabine and Zena show their shortcomings as well as their strengths, as do other key characters. There are no easy answers here, and Nanji creates a platform for lively debate about the causes of war, and demonstrates how the actions of today influence the societies of tomorrow.—

Jennifer M. Brown

The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books April 2008 issue

"This is an absorbing story rich with historical detail and human dynamics. It's also a subject not often treated in literature for youth but one that resonates with issues closer to home, making this an important addition to young readers' understanding of twentieth-century history. An author's note provides clear, informative background information and context."

The author delves into her own background with this striking, fictionalized account of a truly dark period in history. Fifteen-year-old Sabine and her family are quickly running out of time. The family has been enjoying a happy life in Uganda, circa 1972, until political upheaval forces them to fight, not just for their livelihood, but for their very lives. Dictator Idi Amin has taken control of the country, and he has just given all Indians, such as Sabine and her family, a mere 90 days to leave the country, or risk the potentially dire consequences of staying. Sabine’s parents are in disagreement over what to do, and the teen begins to worry that whatever they do, their family will be forever changed.

JFK’S RECOMMENDED BOOKS:
ALAN Newsletter - The Assembly for Literature for Adolescents

This past weekend, I finished Child of Dandelions by Shenaaz Nanji, and I hope you all put it on your must-read list. There is so much to this short book that is long in effect. I can’t stop thinking about it. In 1972, President Ida Amin had a dream that he believed was a message from God. Based on that dream, this dictator decides to eliminate all foreign Indians—the “Jews of Uganda”—in 90 days. Fifteen-year-old Sabine thinks that she and her family will be spared since they are citizens of Uganda, but eventually no one is spared from the effects of this mandate.

Joan F. Kaywell, Ph.D.
2007-2008 FCTE President
ALAN Membership Secretary
Professor of English Education
University of South Florida

Jan Markley's Review

Compelling and Suspenseful

The friendship of Sabine and Zena mirrors the social and ethnic conflict in Uganda during Idi Amin's 90 day deadline for the expulsion of Indians. Sabine is an Indian national and Zena an African national; and despite their social and economic differences they are best friends. The friendship and everything Sabine holds dear is threatened amid the increasing violence and racial unrest. Trying to find her uncle after his disappearance leads her face to face with the harsh realities of the dictatorship. Nanji is a gifted writer who puts a human face on this historic period of time and continues to ratchet up the tension as the countdown to the deadline draws near. Nanji's descriptive language evokes Sabine's emotions, the rich landscape of the country and the beauty of the cultures of Uganda. Sabine awakens to the social justice issues as she realizes how ingrained the class differences are, even in her own family. This book will introduce youth to the complexities behind many social issues. While written for a young adult audience, anyone who has an interest in this time period would find it an enthralling read. In the end, friendship transcends political differences and at the heart of this story is the strength of the human spirit.

April 24, 2008

School Library Journal

May 2008

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

Drawn in part from the veteran author's own experiences, this deeply felt tale

takes readers to 1972 Uganda where, shortly after coming to power, Idi Amin

gave all Indians and citizens of Indian descent just 90 days to leave the

country. As the countdown progresses, 15-year-old Sabine witnesses a rising

tide of hostility against her generally prosperous community, manifested not

just in glances and silences, but riots and public beatings too. Profoundly

disturbed by the disappearance of her beloved uncle, the sudden distance of

her darker-skinned best friend and the arguments between her fearful mother

and stubborn father, she is torn between her attachment to the only life she

has ever known and the desire to flee the terror, the swaggering soldiers and

the widespread violence. In the end, Sabine and most of her family survive the

harassment and worse to make a suspenseful escape. Readers will feel her

inner conflict sharply, admire her resilience and quick thinking—and come

away shocked themselves by the brutality she encounters during this little

known historical epsiode

- Kirkus Review January 15, 2008