A friendship between an African boy and an Indian girl is tested in Idi Amin's Uganda: "e;Fascinating and beautiful . . . hard to put down and hard to forget."e; -Kashmira Sheth, author of Boys Without NamesA Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Books of 2019 Selection and a Canadian Children's Book Center Best Books for Kids & Teens Pick Asha and her best friend, Yesofu, never cared about the differences between them: Indian. African. Girl. Boy. Short. Tall. But when the president, 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.Wanting 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 find that nothing seems sure-not even their friendship. Tensions between Indians and Africans intensify and the deadline to leave is fast approaching. Could the bravest thing of all be to let each other go?From Tina Athaide comes a soaring tale of empathy, hope, and resilience, as two best friends living under Idi Amin's divisive rule must examine where-and who-they call home."e;Address[es] the human complexity of literal borders and figurative walls and lives that are irrevocably and heartbreakingly changed in crises."e; -Kirkus Reviews (starred review)"e;A moving story."e; -Booklist"e;For those wondering how to discuss the dangers of manipulative and toxic nationalism with children, this delicately told story is it . . . a nuanced and balanced way to see politics through a child's eyes."e; -Nadia Hashimi, author of The Pearl that Broke Its Shell"e;In alternating perspectives within the 90-day countdown, both characters reckon with questions that are still relevant in today's world."e; -School Library Journal
* A Chicago Public Library's Best of the Best Books of 2019 Selection * A Canadian Children's Book Center Best Books for Kids & Teens Pick *
From debut author Tina Athaide comes a soaring tale of empathy, hope, and resilience, as two best friends living under Ugandan President Amin's divisive rule must examine where?and who?they call home.
Perfect for fans of Half from the East and Inside Out and Back Again.
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.
Tensions between Indians and Africans intensify and the deadline to leave is fast approaching. Could the bravest thing of all be to let each other go?
- Dual POV: See the crisis unfold through the eyes of both Asha, an Indian girl whose world is collapsing, and Yesofu, an African boy torn between loyalty to his friend and hope for his people.
- Forced Migration: Experience the tension and heartbreak of the 90-day deadline as Idi Amin's decree turns neighbors into strangers and forces thousands to abandon their homes.
- A Test of Friendship: When their identities as "Indian" and "African" suddenly matter more than anything, Asha and Yesofu must decide if their bond is strong enough to survive a country tearing itself apart.
- Based on Historical Events: A meticulously researched, unforgettable story that brings the 1972 Ugandan Asian expulsion to life for young readers, perfect for classrooms and families.
