Orange for the Sunsets

by Tina Athaide

Overview

A friendship between an African boy and an Indian girl is tested in Idi Amin’s Uganda: “Fascinating and beautiful . . . hard to put down and hard to forget.” —Kashmira Sheth, author of Boys Without Names

A Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Books of 2019 Selection and a Canadian Children’s Book Center Best Books for Kids & Teens Pick

Asha and her best friend, Yesofu, never cared about the differences between them: Indian. African. Girl. Boy. Short. Tall. But when the president, Idi Amin, announces that Indians have ninety days to leave the country, suddenly those differences are the only things that people in Entebbe can see—not the shared after-school samosas or Asha cheering for Yesofu at every cricket game.

Wanting her life to stay the same, Asha clings to her world tighter than ever before. But Yesofu is torn, pulled between his friends, his family, and a promise of a better future. Now as neighbors leave and soldiers line the streets, the two find that nothing seems sure—not even their friendship. Tensions between Indians and Africans intensify and the deadline to leave is fast approaching. Could the bravest thing of all be to let each other go?

From Tina Athaide comes a soaring tale of empathy, hope, and resilience, as two best friends living under Idi Amin’s divisive rule must examine where—and who—they call home.

“Address[es] the human complexity of literal borders and figurative walls and lives that are irrevocably and heartbreakingly changed in crises.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“A moving story.” —Booklist

“For those wondering how to discuss the dangers of manipulative and toxic nationalism with children, this delicately told story is it . . . a nuanced and balanced way to see politics through a child’s eyes.” —Nadia Hashimi, author of The Pearl that Broke Its Shell

“In alternating perspectives within the 90-day countdown, both characters reckon with questions that are still relevant in today’s world.” —School Library Journal

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062795311
Publisher:	HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date:	09/22/2023
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	309
Lexile:	600L (what's this?)
File size:	2 MB
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Tina Athaide was born in Uganda and grew up in London and Canada. While her family left Entebbe just prior to the expulsion, she has memories of refugee family and friends staying with them in their London home. The stories and conversations she listened to through the years became the inspiration for her book Orange for the Sunsets. Tina now lives in California with her husband, Ron, and their daughter, Isabella.

Editorial Reviews

★ 02/18/2019

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. (Apr.)

Publishers Weekly

Tina Athaide has tapped deep wells of friendship and family in this story set against the chaotic ferment of Uganda in 1972. Hostage to uncontrollable forces of dictatorship and political turmoil, Asha and Yesofu are heroes for our own century, eloquent voices in the face of racism and nativism.” — Uma Krishnaswami, author of Step Up to the Plate, Maria Singh and other books for young readers

“Set during one of the most turbulent times in Uganda’s history, Tina Athaide’s debut novel deftly navigates the transcending bonds of friendship against the upheaval, shifting alliances, and brutality of Idi Amin’s reign. Fascinating and beautiful, Orange for the Sunsets is hard to put down and hard to forget.” — Kashmira Sheth, author of Boys Without Names

“[T]his novel is timely, addressing the human complexity of literal borders and figurative walls and lives that are irrevocably and heartbreakingly changed in crises.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“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.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“A heartbreaking and resonant tale.” — Horn Book

“Athaide’s debut competently tackles the tough topics of colonialism and refugee crises… questions that are still relevant in today’s world. A timely addition to middle grade shelves in need of non-Western historical fiction… a strong companion to Veera Hiranandani’s The Night Diary and A.L. Sonnichsen’s Red Butterfly.” — School Library Journal

“Athaide, who was born in Uganda and lived there until her family left just before the expulsion, excellently captures how Amin’s plan affected individuals in complex and heart-wrenching ways. A moving story about the power and limits of friendship.” — ALA Booklist

“For those wondering how to discuss the dangers of manipulative and toxic nationalism with children, this delicately told story is it. Orange for the Sunsets is a nuanced and balanced way to see politics through a child’s eyes.” — Nadia Hashimi, MD, author of The Sky at Our Feet and One Half from the East

"Though this is a historical tale, it is a timely one that examines the complexity of figurative and literal walls and discusses these issues with compassion and hope. Highly Recommended. " — Canadian Review of Materials

From the Publisher

Tina Athaide has tapped deep wells of friendship and family in this story set against the chaotic ferment of Uganda in 1972. Hostage to uncontrollable forces of dictatorship and political turmoil, Asha and Yesofu are heroes for our own century, eloquent voices in the face of racism and nativism.

Uma Krishnaswami

"Though this is a historical tale, it is a timely one that examines the complexity of figurative and literal walls and discusses these issues with compassion and hope. Highly Recommended. "

Canadian Review of Materials

For those wondering how to discuss the dangers of manipulative and toxic nationalism with children, this delicately told story is it. Orange for the Sunsets is a nuanced and balanced way to see politics through a child’s eyes.

Nadia Hashimi

A heartbreaking and resonant tale.

Horn Book

Athaide, who was born in Uganda and lived there until her family left just before the expulsion, excellently captures how Amin’s plan affected individuals in complex and heart-wrenching ways. A moving story about the power and limits of friendship.

ALA Booklist

Set during one of the most turbulent times in Uganda’s history, Tina Athaide’s debut novel deftly navigates the transcending bonds of friendship against the upheaval, shifting alliances, and brutality of Idi Amin’s reign. Fascinating and beautiful, Orange for the Sunsets is hard to put down and hard to forget.

Kashmira Sheth

03/01/2019

Gr 4–7—Twelve-year-olds Asha and Yesofu have been friends their whole lives. African Yesofu's mother works for Indian Asha's family in formerly British-occupied Uganda. Their many differences have never bothered them, until the year Asha invites Yesofu to her birthday and he doesn't attend. Then, Uganda's leader declares that all Indians with British citizenship must leave Uganda within 90 days in order to return the country to its original and true proprietors: the African people. As the countdown progresses, the mandate becomes more exclusionary to all Indian citizens, and the friends struggle to repair their friendship as both are torn between what they feel is right for themselves versus the unfair treatment of the other. Any chance of reconciliation is thrown into question when Yesofu shares a secret about Asha's family that puts them even more at risk. Athaide's debut competently tackles the tough topics of colonialism and refugee crises, among other issues that were faced by the citizens of Uganda in 1972. Told in alternating perspectives within the 90-day countdown, both characters reckon with questions that are still relevant in today's world. An author's note provides more information about this conflict. VERDICT A timely addition to middle grade shelves in need of non-Western historical fiction. This works as a strong companion to Veera Hiranandani's The Night Diary and A.L. Sonnichsen's Red Butterfly.—Brittany Drehobl, Morton Grove Public Library, IL

School Library Journal