sarahannkateri's review against another edition
4.0
After leaving their family home to search for work, Amadou and his younger brother Seydou are forced into a life of slavery on a cocoa plantation in Cote d'Ivoire. Along with other boys, the brothers are made to spend their days working at dangerous, back-breaking tasks, in order to work off their debt. At night, they are locked in a shed, and they know if they ever attempt escape, they will be caught, beaten, or possibly even killed. But after a girl named Kadijah arrives at the plantation and bravely stands up against the bosses, Amadou becomes inspired to try to escape his captors and take his brother to safety.
This is a really well-done book about an important, real topic. The writing is detailed and immersive, bringing the plantation and other African locations and cultures to life. While readers will learn a lot, the novel's never feels preachy or dry. You can't help rooting for the characters, so reading about all the suffering and struggles they go through (which include amputation and non-graphic rape, and are not for the faint of heart) is pretty emotionally exhausting.
The Bitter Side of Sweet is a good choice for readers who are interested in topics like child slavery and human trafficking and modern African stories, as well as fans of survival stories. There's lots of violence and suffering, but it's not gratuitous, which could make it suitable for younger teens and tweens. It would also be a good choice for school projects & book clubs.
This is a really well-done book about an important, real topic. The writing is detailed and immersive, bringing the plantation and other African locations and cultures to life. While readers will learn a lot, the novel's never feels preachy or dry. You can't help rooting for the characters, so reading about all the suffering and struggles they go through (which include amputation and non-graphic rape, and are not for the faint of heart) is pretty emotionally exhausting.
The Bitter Side of Sweet is a good choice for readers who are interested in topics like child slavery and human trafficking and modern African stories, as well as fans of survival stories. There's lots of violence and suffering, but it's not gratuitous, which could make it suitable for younger teens and tweens. It would also be a good choice for school projects & book clubs.
sansaraf's review against another edition
4.0
The writing is a bit uneven, but the story is compelling enough to make the book worthwhile.
Fair warning,: the first third of the book is absolutely excruciating. There is horrific child abuse, tragic misfortune, and rape used for the purpose of maintaining a power imbalance. (The rape scene is not graphic and not even directly mentioned, but it's clear what is happening and nauseating despite the vagueness.)
It's hard to separate "the story" from "the message." This is definitely a book with an agenda (an important one). Many reviewers felt like it got too preachy at the end, but (as the mom of a middle-grader) sometimes the target audience needs connections made explicitly.
The author made good use of the theme of "counting the things that matter," and that's one of the ideas that makes this book so good: in a world full of overwhelming, uncountable tragedies, telling the story of ONE tragedy makes it possible to see it. Stories are so much more powerful than facts.
As for the story itself, it was compelling and believable. The characters were conflicted and sometimes contradictory in a way that felt true. Even in a world dominated by abusers, there is nuance; humanity still exists even in dark places, and it brings up good questions about what leads a person to exploit others.
Like most reviewers, this solidifies my commitment to only purchase fair-trade cocoa products. I'm on the fence, though, about when I'll recommend it to my son.
Fair warning,: the first third of the book is absolutely excruciating. There is horrific child abuse, tragic misfortune, and rape used for the purpose of maintaining a power imbalance. (The rape scene is not graphic and not even directly mentioned, but it's clear what is happening and nauseating despite the vagueness.)
It's hard to separate "the story" from "the message." This is definitely a book with an agenda (an important one). Many reviewers felt like it got too preachy at the end, but (as the mom of a middle-grader) sometimes the target audience needs connections made explicitly.
The author made good use of the theme of "counting the things that matter," and that's one of the ideas that makes this book so good: in a world full of overwhelming, uncountable tragedies, telling the story of ONE tragedy makes it possible to see it. Stories are so much more powerful than facts.
As for the story itself, it was compelling and believable. The characters were conflicted and sometimes contradictory in a way that felt true. Even in a world dominated by abusers, there is nuance; humanity still exists even in dark places, and it brings up good questions about what leads a person to exploit others.
Like most reviewers, this solidifies my commitment to only purchase fair-trade cocoa products. I'm on the fence, though, about when I'll recommend it to my son.
jordynkw's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Trafficking, Blood, Confinement, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
internationalkris's review against another edition
4.0
Another winner from Tara Sullivan, this time about cocoa slavery in Ivory Coast.
mbincolor's review against another edition
4.0
Books like "The Bitter Side of Sweet" make me sympathize and empathize with children who have endured hardship so that I can live my (not so) luxurious life. "The Bitter Side of Sweet" is a fictionalized tale of what is the reality for boys and girls throughout many less developed countries who are just trying to keep shelter over their head and a little food in their stomachs.
There are so many layers in this book, which is centered on the harvesting of cacao: class, gender, country of origin, kidnapping, poverty, freedom of speech, use of natural resources and forced labor.
I mean is ethical treatment something we really have to think hard about? Oh, wait... capitalism...hmm.
Despite all the hardship, mistrust and mistreatment, "The Bitter Side of Sweet" is also a tale of the power of determination, a courageous spirit, and kinship. Because this book targets the middle school student, I would say, it's a great introduction to globalization, fair trade, ethics, history, geography and informed consumerism.
There are so many layers in this book, which is centered on the harvesting of cacao: class, gender, country of origin, kidnapping, poverty, freedom of speech, use of natural resources and forced labor.
I mean is ethical treatment something we really have to think hard about? Oh, wait... capitalism...hmm.
Despite all the hardship, mistrust and mistreatment, "The Bitter Side of Sweet" is also a tale of the power of determination, a courageous spirit, and kinship. Because this book targets the middle school student, I would say, it's a great introduction to globalization, fair trade, ethics, history, geography and informed consumerism.
annebennett1957's review against another edition
4.0
Oh my. I love chocolate everything and anything but now I will have to really scrutinize my choices and just select fair trade products. Sullivan has done it again. She has alerted me to an issue getting very little attention, but one which deserves much more. I recommend this book.
ashleyb19's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
carstensena's review against another edition
5.0
This was very popular with some of the 7th graders last year so I wanted to give it a try. What an amazing story. Perfect for that age—hard hitting but details of the worst treatment left out. Excellent audio narration.
caroline_nfr's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.75