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amandabock's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
myrthekorf's review
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
maliameiireads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
tense
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
I will be buying this for my shelves!
WOWOW!! Recently published, Middle Grade debut “The Songbird and the Rambutan Tree” blew my expectations out of the water. This story should be part of primary school curriculums and winning kid lit book awards! ESPECIALLY since it’s strongly grounded in the author’s grandmother’s personal experiences and discusses the history of a lesser known part of the world (Java/Indonesia). Please read the author’s note at the end!!
What to expect:
- Friendships between the social classes
- Lush descriptions of the setting in Batavia and mouthwatering descriptions of dishes
- WW2 in Eastern Asia & deadly Japanese POW camps
- Parent/child relationships
- Courage in the midst of great danger & suspenseful moments
- Reclaiming identity
- “Indigenous” compared to a “local”
I won’t give much away but I think this should be required reading for everyone. Great book for discussion with older kids!
*Thank you to NetGalley and Flux for an Advanced Reader’s E-copy. All opinions are my own.
WOWOW!! Recently published, Middle Grade debut “The Songbird and the Rambutan Tree” blew my expectations out of the water. This story should be part of primary school curriculums and winning kid lit book awards! ESPECIALLY since it’s strongly grounded in the author’s grandmother’s personal experiences and discusses the history of a lesser known part of the world (Java/Indonesia). Please read the author’s note at the end!!
What to expect:
- Friendships between the social classes
- Lush descriptions of the setting in Batavia and mouthwatering descriptions of dishes
- WW2 in Eastern Asia & deadly Japanese POW camps
- Parent/child relationships
- Courage in the midst of great danger & suspenseful moments
- Reclaiming identity
- “Indigenous” compared to a “local”
I won’t give much away but I think this should be required reading for everyone. Great book for discussion with older kids!
*Thank you to NetGalley and Flux for an Advanced Reader’s E-copy. All opinions are my own.
jnishi's review
5.0
Just a fantastic read! Had me sucked in from the beginning and broke my heart and mended it all in one swoop. Kept me up late.
rebeccatan's review
4.0
The Songbird and the Rambutan Tree is a historical fiction novel that takes place in Batavia (Jakarta) in 1942. We follow 11 year old Emmeline, a talented singer who is brave, smart, and stubborn. Her family try to send her to a singing school in England to help her stay safe during the war, however Emmy refuses as she wants to stay with her family and friends. This takes a turn for the worse when Japan invades her country. Emmy ends up getting captured and ends up in a refugee camp for women and children. She must now find her courage and strength to survive, find her voice, and reclaim her freedom.
A beautiful novel based on a true story, this gives a great insight into what was happening in Asia during WWII which I feel is a slightly less known perspective on the war (coming from an Australian, who only really knows the effects on European countries). At some points of this book it seems to read a bit too modern, where the tone seems more current and from a place of activism. It didn't affect me too much but it definitely took me out of the book for a bit. I like how at the end we get to read some extra factual information about the period that the book is set, as well as a section where the author explains which parts of the novel came from the true story and which were fictional.
AGE: 13+
GENRE: Middle Grade, Historical Fiction, Asia, World War II, WWII
DETAILS: 320 Pages, Historical Fiction
I received this as an eBook through NetGalley in return for an honest review.
A beautiful novel based on a true story, this gives a great insight into what was happening in Asia during WWII which I feel is a slightly less known perspective on the war (coming from an Australian, who only really knows the effects on European countries). At some points of this book it seems to read a bit too modern, where the tone seems more current and from a place of activism. It didn't affect me too much but it definitely took me out of the book for a bit. I like how at the end we get to read some extra factual information about the period that the book is set, as well as a section where the author explains which parts of the novel came from the true story and which were fictional.
AGE: 13+
GENRE: Middle Grade, Historical Fiction, Asia, World War II, WWII
DETAILS: 320 Pages, Historical Fiction
I received this as an eBook through NetGalley in return for an honest review.
heavenlyrealms's review
5.0
It’s one of the best historical fiction books I’ve read so far. Although some parts are true, this story originates from the real-life experiences of the author’s Oma (grandma) in Batavia during Indonesia’s wartime, when it was colonized by Japan and the Dutch.
The narrative takes the perspective of a Dutch daughter, Emmy. Initially living comfortably, she gradually becomes aware, through her close friend Bakti (likely her servant but considered her best friend), of the disparity between her lifestyle and the locals’ struggles. The reality of colonialism becomes apparent when Japan soldiers arrive, stripping her of everything.
The novel unfolds as Emmy strives to survive as a Japanese prisoner and escape to find her Papa. Her heroic actions aim to save her loved ones, revealing the harsh treatment of women and children by Japanese soldiers. The narrative sheds light on the brutalities of Japanese colonialism.
Despite the heart-wrenching moments, the novel concludes with a glimmer of hope. The war ends, Indonesia gains freedom, and Emmy reunites with her family (Papa, Bakti, Ibu Lia, and Mr. Yukoshima).
The most poignant line, “I’m too foreign for Indonesia, too different for Europe, and I just want to be me,” shows the struggle of not belonging anywhere, leaving a lasting emotional impact.
The narrative takes the perspective of a Dutch daughter, Emmy. Initially living comfortably, she gradually becomes aware, through her close friend Bakti (likely her servant but considered her best friend), of the disparity between her lifestyle and the locals’ struggles. The reality of colonialism becomes apparent when Japan soldiers arrive, stripping her of everything.
The novel unfolds as Emmy strives to survive as a Japanese prisoner and escape to find her Papa. Her heroic actions aim to save her loved ones, revealing the harsh treatment of women and children by Japanese soldiers. The narrative sheds light on the brutalities of Japanese colonialism.
Despite the heart-wrenching moments, the novel concludes with a glimmer of hope. The war ends, Indonesia gains freedom, and Emmy reunites with her family (Papa, Bakti, Ibu Lia, and Mr. Yukoshima).
The most poignant line, “I’m too foreign for Indonesia, too different for Europe, and I just want to be me,” shows the struggle of not belonging anywhere, leaving a lasting emotional impact.
2treads's review against another edition
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
The Songbird and the Rambutan Tree shows once again why I will always keep coming back to middlegrade reads. Having these young teens tackle heavy social themes and come out the other side stronger and with a deeper appreciation for their circumstances will always resonate with me.
Here Emmy and her friends are caught in the war for domination and the cruelty they experience makes them mature in ways that will give them resilience to keep on going.
Here Emmy and her friends are caught in the war for domination and the cruelty they experience makes them mature in ways that will give them resilience to keep on going.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and War
Minor: Death of parent
goldenelegy's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
i was curious the first time i read the title of this book. as far as i know, "rambutan" is a tree native to tropical regions in southeast asia, including indonesia. so i wondered, could the story take place in indonesia? and the answer is yes! i hesitated for a while though, could it provide fair and sensible portrayal of the situation during the time of dutch colonialization and japanese invasion in indonesia? still, i was curious so i picked it up.
this story is about emmy, a dutch born and live in batavia (now jakarta). she used to love singing with her mom, but ever since she passed away, she couldn't continue doing what she used to love to do. she had a native friend named bakti. set amidst the WW II, the story includes the invasion of japan. after the japanese arrival in batavia, the europeans were kept as prisoners, including emmy and her father. they had to separate though, cause they had different prison for women, children, and elders; and for men.
they didn't really talk about this part in the history classes here, but i remember vaguely about the mention of europeans being kept as prisoners during the japanese invasion. the portrayal of the situation in the tjideng prison, where emmy was kept, is horrifying. they were given small portion of food, even foods that are no longer edible. they had to do tenko under the blazing sun. people became prone to more diseases. i think the writer did a good job in describing the situations there. i read in the end section of the book that the author visited the place where it used to be tjideng prison in batavia. i learnt that now it became a subdistrict in jakarta named cideng. it's completely different to what that place used to be. i thought it must be really hard picturing the place that no longer exists.
to me this book added new insights of what happened around the WW II, also the era of japanese invasion in indonesia. this book also portrays the colonial dutch governtment's unfair treatments to the natives like bakti compared to what the europeans get. i have so little knowledge about jakarta or batavia around that time though so i can't say much about the social and cultural context.
emmy is a clever and brave girl, but she's also innocent, which also makes sense because she's still a child in the story. suitable protagonist for a middle grade book. but looking at what are portrayed in the story, i wonder, is it really suitable for children? but this could add new insights to them cause i honestly barely found other historical fiction books during the WW II that is set in southeast asia.
if you want to give this book a try then give it a try!!
this story is about emmy, a dutch born and live in batavia (now jakarta). she used to love singing with her mom, but ever since she passed away, she couldn't continue doing what she used to love to do. she had a native friend named bakti. set amidst the WW II, the story includes the invasion of japan. after the japanese arrival in batavia, the europeans were kept as prisoners, including emmy and her father. they had to separate though, cause they had different prison for women, children, and elders; and for men.
they didn't really talk about this part in the history classes here, but i remember vaguely about the mention of europeans being kept as prisoners during the japanese invasion. the portrayal of the situation in the tjideng prison, where emmy was kept, is horrifying. they were given small portion of food, even foods that are no longer edible. they had to do tenko under the blazing sun. people became prone to more diseases. i think the writer did a good job in describing the situations there. i read in the end section of the book that the author visited the place where it used to be tjideng prison in batavia. i learnt that now it became a subdistrict in jakarta named cideng. it's completely different to what that place used to be. i thought it must be really hard picturing the place that no longer exists.
to me this book added new insights of what happened around the WW II, also the era of japanese invasion in indonesia. this book also portrays the colonial dutch governtment's unfair treatments to the natives like bakti compared to what the europeans get. i have so little knowledge about jakarta or batavia around that time though so i can't say much about the social and cultural context.
emmy is a clever and brave girl, but she's also innocent, which also makes sense because she's still a child in the story. suitable protagonist for a middle grade book. but looking at what are portrayed in the story, i wonder, is it really suitable for children? but this could add new insights to them cause i honestly barely found other historical fiction books during the WW II that is set in southeast asia.
if you want to give this book a try then give it a try!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Colonisation
Moderate: Racism, Torture, War, and Classism
zoe_94's review
5.0
Truly one of the most beautiful and poignant middle grade novels I’ve read recently!
My grandfather spent two years in a POW camp in South-East Asia, so when I noticed that this novel – based on the author’s own family history – was set in the 1940s in what is now Indonesia, I knew I absolutely had to read it. And I was not disappointed: I cried, I felt in turn hopeless and hopeful, and I learnt about strength and resilience.
The topics the novel covers are very complex: they include colonisation and decolonisation, as well as war-time invasion and imprisonment, but the author really manages to capture with honesty and sensitivity the sometimes contradicting emotions of all the people involved. The characters learn, grow and evolve, and a glimmer of hope is always present. Language is also a key part of the story: by telling us which languages the characters speak (or do not speak), we delve yet again in the complex relationships of all those present.
I cannot recommend this book enough! Beyong the young protagonist’s story, the novel represents a chapter of history that is sometimes overlooked in WWII fiction. It is an essential read.
Many thanks to North Star Editions and NetGalley for the advance reader copy. This is my honest opinion of the book. Review available on Goodreads now, and retailer sites after publication date.
My grandfather spent two years in a POW camp in South-East Asia, so when I noticed that this novel – based on the author’s own family history – was set in the 1940s in what is now Indonesia, I knew I absolutely had to read it. And I was not disappointed: I cried, I felt in turn hopeless and hopeful, and I learnt about strength and resilience.
The topics the novel covers are very complex: they include colonisation and decolonisation, as well as war-time invasion and imprisonment, but the author really manages to capture with honesty and sensitivity the sometimes contradicting emotions of all the people involved. The characters learn, grow and evolve, and a glimmer of hope is always present. Language is also a key part of the story: by telling us which languages the characters speak (or do not speak), we delve yet again in the complex relationships of all those present.
I cannot recommend this book enough! Beyong the young protagonist’s story, the novel represents a chapter of history that is sometimes overlooked in WWII fiction. It is an essential read.
Many thanks to North Star Editions and NetGalley for the advance reader copy. This is my honest opinion of the book. Review available on Goodreads now, and retailer sites after publication date.