Orange for the Sunsets

Through the eyes of two 12-year-olds, Athaide’s timely middle grade debut captures Uganda’s political unrest during three months in 1972, following President Idi Amin’s rapid expulsion of those of Indian descent from the country. Asha’s family heritage is Indian; Yesofu’s is African. They’re best friends, but after Asha invites Yesofu to her birthday party at a club where “the only Africans inside were... serving the drinks and food,” he becomes increasingly exasperated with her obliviousness to their class differences. His mother does household work for Asha’s parents, who enable Yesofu to attend school and play cricket, but Asha has never been to his home. As Ugandans of African descent celebrate when people of Indian descent begin to leave the country, tensions heighten, spilling over into the classroom, the cricket field, and the town, and erupting into violence. In alternating chapters, Athaide presents each child’s frustration at the other’s perspective, as well as their concern for each other’s welfare and their growing awareness of the danger their friendship poses to their families. This compassionate novel conveys the multiple injustices and tragedies experienced by both African and Indian Ugandans during this period, and the power of friendship to sustain hope in tumultuous times. A context-building timeline and author’s note conclude. Ages 8–12. [em](Apr.) [/em]