Child of Dandelions

Written by Shenaaz Nanji

Narrated by Vaishali Sharma

“This is a gripping drama about a fascinating fragment of time in history - the expulsion of Indians from Uganda in 1972. Fifteen-year-old Sabine poignantly straddles two worlds - those of the landed Indian gentry and of the native Ugandans amid wrenching turmoil. Quietly and crisply written, all of Nanji's characters are beautifully realized, morally nuanced and compellingly crafted.”

—Governor General's Literary Awards - Canada Council for the Arts.

In August 1972, President Idi Amin declares that a message from God has come to him in a dream: all foreign Indians must be “weeded out” of Uganda in the next ninety days. Fifteen-year-old Sabine and her father, a successful businessman, are confident that their family will not be affected, since they are Ugandan citizens, but Sabine’s fearful mother is certain that they will have to leave.

As the ninety days tick by, the President’s message – the “countdown monster,” as Sabine calls it – is broadcast every day on the radio, and life becomes more difficult for her family and other Indians in Uganda. Sabine tries to hold on to her optimism, counting on her best friend, Zena, and her grandfather, Bapa, to keep her spirits up, but after her beloved uncle Zulfiqar disappears and Zena turns against her, Sabine begins to share her mother’s fears. When a new law is declared on the radio – all Indians must leave – Sabine and her family have a hard decision to make. Should they stay and defend their rights, or should they go? And how will they begin a new life in a different land?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brilliance Audio
• Release date: Dec 20, 2008
• ISBN: 9781423370680

Shenaaz Nanji

Shenaaz Nanji was born on the ancient island of Mombasa, one of the oldest settlements on the East African coast, and grew up amid a fusion of cultures: Bantu-Swahili, Arabic, colonial British, and East Indian. Every year she visited her grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins in Uganda until Idi Amin turned them into refugees. She moved to the United States and lived in upstate New York before moving to Calgary, Alberta, Canada, where she now lives with her husband and children. She holds an MFA in writing for children and young adults from Vermont College and has written several books for children.

Reviews for Child of Dandelions

[NEETHU VARUGHESE · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Interesting book. Last 30 min of listening was hurtful. The struggle that people felt when asked to leave all they worked for, to go back to "where they are from" is heart wrenching.

[deltaqueen50 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

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. 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.

[cbl_tn · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

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 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.

[gypsysmom_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I listened to the audio version of this book narrated by Vaishali Sharma. I had no knowledge of this episode in African history. I guess this was just the start of things for Idi Amin who became known as The Butcher of Uganda. It is probably lucky for the East Indian people that they were forced to leave the country. Surely not many of them would have survived. I hope Nanji is going to write another book. I really want to know how Sabine's grandfather made out and I would like to know about Sabine's experience in Canada.This is classified as a Young Adult read but it would have to be introduced carefully to anyone under highschool age. It also was very interesting for a much older reader.

[sshadoan_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I love historical fiction, especially when the subject isn't really well-known. Isn't that why we write-to remember, to make sure no one forgets?

[meggyweg · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

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 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.

[stjohnbrebeuf · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is the story of Sabine, an East Indian living in Uganda during Idi Amin's reign of terror in 1972. Her family faces persecutions and exile from their home. What shines through is Sabine's courage and strength of character. The violence and suspense are best suited for middle school readers. Overall, an amazing story.