chloe341's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
mikebond's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
echo_finished_cake's review against another edition
4.0
I first heard of this book years ago and have always wanted to read it.
I bought this Kindle edition with high hopes. I was a bit surprised the book was as short as it is, but then again, it is meant for young people.
I loved how the story represented the concept of questioning the way things are, which is something the author wanted convey through the characters' journey to find their mother and save their sister. I also thought the brief history behind the apartheid. I also appreciated the connection between what the author experienced personally and the personal journey of the main character, Naledi. Very well written and educational on fairly recent South African history.
I bought this Kindle edition with high hopes. I was a bit surprised the book was as short as it is, but then again, it is meant for young people.
I loved how the story represented the concept of questioning the way things are, which is something the author wanted convey through the characters' journey to find their mother and save their sister. I also thought the brief history behind the apartheid. I also appreciated the connection between what the author experienced personally and the personal journey of the main character, Naledi. Very well written and educational on fairly recent South African history.
suzannehines's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
ciikum's review against another edition
4.0
Reading the class reader for year 6, this is a good book to start the conversation on what segregation is and to help kids to be deeper thinkers - i think the teacher says for them to be introspective. This was a banned book in SA a while back.. let the conversation begin.
marlo_c's review against another edition
3.0
I read this to my daughter as part of her 6th grade curriculum. The story was sad, but it gave a good depiction of the harmful, hateful practices of apartheid. The brevity of the story was effective, with the author's note at the back of the book an appreciated addition.
libraryleslie's review against another edition
4.0
Naledi and Tiro run off to Johannesburg to tell their Mma their little sister is sick and needs to go to the hospital. They set off on foot to walk the 250 kilometers to find their mother. On the way their eyes are opened to the unfairness of apartheid and how awful black citizens in South Africa are treated.
Along with Naledi, my eyes were opened. Apartheid was something glossed over in school. A horrible period, but with no specifics given just that Nelson Mandela was a great man who ended it peacefully. The extreme poverty many of the black Africans were forced to live in is shown through the eyes of a child.
On their travels the children witness first hand the brutality of the police, and the inhumanity of the whites. When they reach their mother, the white woman of the household hears that the baby is dying, and she only permits her to leave the next morning because she is going to a party and needs someone to watch her children. This woman believes a party is more important than the life of her employees child!
I cannot imagine how Mma and other women like her only saw their children a few times a year, worked pretty much as slaves, for a tiny bit of money to send home so their children didn't starve.
The new edition of the book has a section about the author. A white woman growing up during this time period, who didn't notice the racial issues in her country till she was in college. After college she moved to England and mentions that under apartheid she was not able to live with her husband in South Africa because his grandparents had come to South Africa from India. I think her biography would make an interesting story, too.
Along with Naledi, my eyes were opened. Apartheid was something glossed over in school. A horrible period, but with no specifics given just that Nelson Mandela was a great man who ended it peacefully. The extreme poverty many of the black Africans were forced to live in is shown through the eyes of a child.
On their travels the children witness first hand the brutality of the police, and the inhumanity of the whites. When they reach their mother, the white woman of the household hears that the baby is dying, and she only permits her to leave the next morning because she is going to a party and needs someone to watch her children. This woman believes a party is more important than the life of her employees child!
I cannot imagine how Mma and other women like her only saw their children a few times a year, worked pretty much as slaves, for a tiny bit of money to send home so their children didn't starve.
The new edition of the book has a section about the author. A white woman growing up during this time period, who didn't notice the racial issues in her country till she was in college. After college she moved to England and mentions that under apartheid she was not able to live with her husband in South Africa because his grandparents had come to South Africa from India. I think her biography would make an interesting story, too.
luzbella's review
4.0
Originally written in 1985, this book was not historical fiction but a description of life as it was in South Africa at the time. The author wanted to teach young children about the unacceptable policy of Apartheit that separated Africans from Caucasians purely by colour. The wealth was all in the hands of the 'Whites', while the labour was done by the 'Blacks' who worked long hours for little pay and lived under apalling conditions. 4/5 ⭐️
gracie_mills_06's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-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? No
5.0
haitch's review against another edition
3.5
A childhood school group read. I remembered the oranges and a journey to Jo’burg
On a reread this showed bleak circumstances and touched on death, protest, slavery, racial segregation, poverty, healthcare.
4 stars Because of the topics covered, the significance of the book, the time in which it was published and the very enlightening background context of the book (within the book) regarding the Apartheid
On a reread this showed bleak circumstances and touched on death, protest, slavery, racial segregation, poverty, healthcare.
4 stars Because of the topics covered, the significance of the book, the time in which it was published and the very enlightening background context of the book (within the book) regarding the Apartheid