Orange for the Sunsets

Gr 4-7--Twelve-year-olds Asha and Yesofu have been friends their whole lives. African Yesofu's mother works for Indian Asha's family in formerly British-occupied Uganda. Their many differences have never bothered them, until the year Asha invites Yesofu to her birthday and he doesn't attend. Then, Uganda's leader declares that all Indians with British citizenship must leave Uganda within 90 days in order to return the country to its original and true proprietors: the African people. As the countdown progresses, the mandate becomes more exclusionary to all Indian citizens, and the friends struggle to repair their friendship as both are torn between what they feel is right for themselves versus the unfair treatment of the other. Any chance of reconciliation is thrown into question when Yesofu shares a secret about Asha's family that puts them even more at risk. Athaide's debut competently tackles the tough topics of colonialism and refugee crises, among other issues that were faced by the citizens of Uganda in 1972. Told in alternating perspectives within the 90-day countdown, both characters reckon with questions that are still relevant in today's world. An author's note provides more information about this conflict. VERDICT A timely addition to middle grade shelves in need of non-Western historical fiction. This works as a strong companion to Veera Hiranandani's The Night Diary and A.L. Sonnichsen's Red Butterfly.--Brittany Drehobl, Morton Grove Public Library, IL

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

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. Asha's family heritage is Indian; Yesofu's is African. They're best friends, but after Asha invites Yesofu to her birthday party at a club where "the only Africans inside were... serving the drinks and food," he becomes increasingly exasperated with her obliviousness to their class differences. His mother does household work for Asha's parents, who enable Yesofu to attend school and play cricket, but Asha has never been to his home. As Ugandans of African descent celebrate when people of Indian descent begin to leave the country, tensions heighten, spilling over into the classroom, the cricket field, and the town, and erupting into violence. 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. A context-building timeline and author's note conclude. Ages 8-12. (Apr.)

Copyright 2019 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

"Tina Athaide has tapped deep wells of friendship and family in this story set against the chaotic ferment of Uganda in 1972. Hostage to uncontrollable forces of dictatorship and political turmoil, Asha and Yesofu are heroes for our own century, eloquent voices in the face of racism and nativism."—Uma Krishnaswami, author of Step Up to the Plate, Maria Singh and other books for young readers