Shenaaz Nanji

I think I had heard somewhere before about the expulsion of Indians from Uganda, but beyond a vague recollection I knew nothing about it. Nanji has done teenagers a service with this novel, which tells the story of an episode in recent African history that's been all but forgotten in the West. Idi Amin came out against the wealthy Indian minority in Uganda and gave the entire population ninety days to get out of the country or die. Sabine's family believes the order doesn't apply to them show more because they are Ugandan citizens who have been living in Africa for generations, but they quickly learn that such niceties mean little to the dictator and his henchmen.

Nanji resists the temptation to turn the characters into stereotypes; there are no all evil or all good people in this novel, but you see shades of gray in each one: Sabine's racist but kind family friend. Sabine's family's loyal African servant, who thinks of her family as his own. Sabine's African best friend who worships Idi Amin and agrees that, for the good of Uganda, the Indians must go. Her friend's uncle who is one of those abusing the Indians but protects Sabine's family at risk to himself. Sabine's grandfather, who's carrying a secret. Occasional phrases in African and Indian languages are sprinkled throughout and add authenticity without being distracting.

This story is taut and suspenseful. As the countdown continues and the tensions escalate, readers will keenly feel Sabine's fear and uncertainty. A fine work; I would recommend it, and read this author again. show less

Packs a lot into a short book -- starting a new school, bullying, heritage foods and cooking contests, missing your parents when they leave for major family matters and a little bit of mystery thrown in. Set in Calgary, and Alina has a faithful cockapoo dog and a youtube channel (not sure how, given that she's definitely not a teenager). On the whole, a great book -- good messages, good heart, and I love that her family is East Indian out of Kenya. Lots of good food celebrations as well. show more

Some things I find curiously unexplained and would be more annoyed about in a longer book:
Why do Kim and Liam (the 2 kids she connects with) get to leave school for lunch at home each day?
Why does Liam wear a sherwani on International day? Is it part of the message not to judge other people without learning more about them? -- that was a great message, by the way.
The illustrations are cute but kind of crude -- there are size differences between Alina and Nani that are very odd, and the detail is lacking in kids' faces.

Honestly, I'm still just really impressed about how much story there is in this short chapterbook. Lots to engage with and get into. show less

In January, 1971 Idi Amin came to power in Uganda. Uganda was a divided country, along tribal lines and in a loose class system that saw Asians controlling the upper and middle classes. The country’s financial strength was in the hands of these people who originally came from countries like India. They were the bankers and business owners. Amin needed to get his hands on that money both because it would help him buy the loyalty of the military and also for his own outrageous spending. show more Lumping these people together as Indians, Amin gave them 90 days to leave the country. They were not allowed to take more than one (well searched) suitcase and no large sums of money were to be taken out of Uganda.

Through the eyes of fifteen year old Sabine, author Shenaaz Nanji tells the story of this time of terror and confusion in Child of Dandelions. This story captures perfectly the feeling of total disbelief and bewilderment that eventually gives way to acceptance and sadness that she and her family must leave their home forever. Life-long friends turn their backs and refuse to see what is happening, soldiers walk the streets and have total control over everyone. People disappear and are never seen again. Eventually her father becomes a target and he must flee the country. Her mother soon has to join him, leaving Sabine and her brother, with the help of her grandfather, to obtain vistas and get them out to safety in Nairobi.

The title Child of Dandelions refers to a statement that Amin made about “weeding” out the Indians in order to redistribute the land among the native population. Some 80,000 people of Asian heritage were expelled and the countries of Britain, Canada and the United States took the majority of them in. This book defines the shock, horror and brutality of this time by telling this simple story that touches on feelings of love, betrayal, fear and ultimately forgiveness and hope. show less

In 1972 when Ugandan president Idi Amin gave all foreign national Indians 90 days to leave Uganda, Sabine and her family mistakenly think the order doesn't apply to them. They are Ugandan citizens after all. At first things aren't much different. Sabine continues to spend time with her African best friend, Zena. However, their friendship soon shows signs of strain as the ethnic division becomes sharper. By the time Sabine and her family realize they need to leave Uganda, it may be too show more late.

This YA novel is based on a real historical event. Sabine compares what is happening to the Indians in Uganda to what happened to the Jews in Europe during the Holocaust. Idi Amin's government keeps stripping rights and possessions from the Indian population. After witnessing soldiers' attacks on helpless people, Sabine fears for her own and her family's safety. Sabine's eyes are also opened to things she hasn't noticed before, particularly the racism practiced in the Indian community and in her own family.

As in many children's and YA novels, the reader is immediately plunged into danger. It's there from the beginning of the novel, which opens on the first day of the 90-day countdown. The book will appeal most strongly to teen girls. Educators might want to use it for supplemental reading in social science courses (world history, sociology, etc.) Recommended. show less