How Dare the Sun Rise

This is a compelling memoir from a young woman who suffered incredible trauma and tragedy, and who then learned to navigate America as a young black woman. A truly unique set of experiences that sheds light on the realities of life in Africa, the truth of immigration to the US, the experience of growing up black-but-not-American-black in New York, and the stress of coping with PTSD and depression as a result of trauma in college. She sheds light on cultural differences and common misconceptions she ran into during her young life. Truly a captivating read.

Sandra tells her story of being displaced due to war. It was something that happened to her family frequently growing up in the Congo. When her family was at a refugee camp in Burundi, she survived a massacre that took the life of her younger sister and seriously injured her mother and brother. This trauma and flashbacks haunted her. The family eventually moved to America and became citizens but it was not a smooth transitions. Sandra's activism put her on a world stage at a young stage, bringing incredible opportunities but also bringing back the trauma that she experienced. The first chapter shocks you into her reality, describing the massacre.

I think this book offers a wonderful perspective into the life of a refugee. Often, people fleeing violence and war are seen as statistics. Sandra gives us a look at the humanity of these people. She asks us to view her as more than a refugee, as a person. I think this book is especially important now, as our country faces growing numbers of asylum seekers at the southern boarder. Each one of those migrants has their own story and their own desire to find their place in the world. This book is young adult nonfiction, but I also think adults would get a lot out of reading it.

Amazing story about a girl who lived through truly horrific things and came out as an advocate for others. It was interesting to hear her perspective on race in America after coming from a completely different culture. There is a section where she talks about being sexually assaulted by a family member. She is very bold in what she says, and speaks out that the culture of keeping quiet is not right. She is very forward with all of the issues that she must deal with related to being a refugee, being an African-American, being a teenager, being religious, and so many other aspects of her life.

My Review (see below for student review)
Literary Merit: Good
Characterization: Good
Recommended
Grades: 9-12

How Dare the Sun Rise is the true story of Sandra Uwiringiyimana a “child of war” turned activist. Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sandra is a member of the Banyamulenge Tribe, a minority group that was persecuted and forced into refugee camps at various times throughout her otherwise happy childhood. Sandra and her family were living in a refugee camp in Burundi when camp was attacked by a brutal militia group who murdered 166 people and injured 116. After the massacre, Sandra’s younger sister Deborah was among the dead. Though wounded in various ways both mental and physical, the rest of the family survived the show more massacre and were eventually relocated to the United States. Still haunted by the experience and mourning her sister, Sandra’s anger that the perpetrators of the massacre have not been brought to justice inspire her to activism. Eventually, she and her family are also forced to deal with hidden wounds and fissures created by this terrible trauma.

Sandra’s story shines a light on the persecution that refugees around the globe face as well as issues of race and nationalism here in the United States. Sandra is an inspiring woman who doesn’t shy away from sharing her struggles as well as her accomplishments. She has overcome a lot but the journey was not easy. Especially in light of the ongoing national conversation about refugees, stories like Sandra’s are important because they put a human face to issues that can otherwise seem too overwhelming to fully contemplate. Though Sandra’s story is inspiring, the memoir itself is a little uneven; some chapters are very gripping, others are less so. Still this is appropriate and accessible for teens who might appreciate the author’s straightforward style.

Student Review by: Sarah W (Grade 11)
Grade Range: 8th Grade and Up
Genre: Nonfiction/ Memoir
Literary Merit: Excellent
Characterization: Excellent

Sandra Uwiringiyimana tells her story in How Dare The Sun Rise. In this heart wrenching, inspiring memoir, we explore her life, first when she lived in the Democratic Republic of Congo, then further when she moved to America as a refugee. She explains how her childhood was happy before the war struck, how she had a fairly normal childhood with indoor plumbing, friends, family, and school, then goes on to explain how the refugee camp her family was forced to take residence in changed her and her struggles of living as an outsider in America. Uwiringiyimana discusses important topics in today’s society like racism, refugee status’, overwhelming family expectations, and depression in a unique perspective that many could benefit from hearing.

How Dare The Sun Rise was an amazingly written book, that really made you think. I enjoyed it immensely, really feeling the emotions as I read. Sandra Uwiringiyimana is an outstanding author, with her stories flowing in a way to keep the reader interested. She includes the information that is vital to the story, while also giving you room to do your own research about the different topics involved. Throughout the memoir, there is never a dull moment, and the way she describes the world makes the reader look into themselves and see the privilege they have, and recognize their power in the world. I enjoyed the sheer range of topics that Uwiringiyimana was able to include in her memoir without clouding the main point or losing her audience along the way. An amazing memoir about surviving, feminism, racism, American culture, war, hate, and love, there is something in this work for every reader to relate to, and even more for the audience to learn about and become better, more educated, loving, whole people.
Recommendation: I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys inspiring stories that make you feel important in the world. show less

Sandra Uwiringiymana's story of the first 20 years of her life. Sandra was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo but her family were part of a tribe driven out of Rwanda to the Congo. They were never really accepted as Congolese and didn't even have the rights of citizenship. When the refugee camp where her family was living was raided by a militia group Sandra's sister Deborah was killed and her parents badly wounded. After years in camps the family was resettled in the United States in Rochester, New York. Sandra has become a leader and advocate for refugees and women in Africa.

This book was truly heartbreaking. Knowing that a real person had to go through this is utterly fascinating and really gets you thinking. I enjoyed how it had photos of not only Sandra's family but also other survivors of the Gatumba massacre. I enjoyed the little tales Sandra told about her childhood and the fun she would have with her brothers and sisters. I thought that it was special how Sandra spoke about each sibling individually too.