Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.63 AVERAGE
3.63 AVERAGE
This novel very well portrays the difficult journeys of the refugees. Here, they happen to be Nigerian, and the 12 year old protagonist Sade does not only share what happens to her, but her emotions. This is a heartbreaking tale, but also inspiring and hopeful. Very well done.
I started reading this at the same time as I was reading We Need New Names and the dry style of this book left me a bit cold. As I read on I found myself more engaged with the story and with the protagonists. If I was reviewing this as an adult book I'd give it three stars but as a book for children I give it four. As the story unfolds the pace picks up and I quickly got to the end, wanting to find out what the future may hold for the family in the book. I can't remember off hand whether the story is told in the first person, I think it's third person, but it certainly is told from a child's perspective. Children tend to love reading about 'survival' stories, especially when it's a matter of children close to their age who are involved. I'll definitely look out more books by Beverley Naidoo as I enjoyed getting into the heads of the people in this one.
this was a really hard read. don't get me wrong, i really liked it, and the message behind is powerful and important, but it was really difficult for me get through the first half, where the children are mistreated over and over again.
i didn't know a lot about the political situation in nigeria back then, and this book really opened my eyes and let me learn a lot more about it. i'm also really glad that there's a happy ending, both in this novel, and in real-life Nigeria, where democracy was restored.
i didn't know a lot about the political situation in nigeria back then, and this book really opened my eyes and let me learn a lot more about it. i'm also really glad that there's a happy ending, both in this novel, and in real-life Nigeria, where democracy was restored.
A review from my old blog...
Wow. What a very well written book. This book tells the story of two children, Sade and Femi who flee their native Nigeria immediately after the murder of their mother and find themselves lost and without family in London. Naidoo tells the story from an omniscient third person narrator but places much emphasis on the events that occur to Sade specifically.
I absolutely loved this book because of the fantastic storytelling and felt so sorry for Sade and Femi because of the terrible circumstances that surrounded them. I knew that of course these characters were fictional but unfortunately the situation the fled from is very real.
Wow. What a very well written book. This book tells the story of two children, Sade and Femi who flee their native Nigeria immediately after the murder of their mother and find themselves lost and without family in London. Naidoo tells the story from an omniscient third person narrator but places much emphasis on the events that occur to Sade specifically.
I absolutely loved this book because of the fantastic storytelling and felt so sorry for Sade and Femi because of the terrible circumstances that surrounded them. I knew that of course these characters were fictional but unfortunately the situation the fled from is very real.
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
3.5/5
The saddest thing is that stories like these actually happen to real people.
The saddest thing is that stories like these actually happen to real people.
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I should not have been worried about reading this book. Sade and Femi are great characters who deal with the ugly truth of murder and the corrupt government of Nigeria and being smuggled out of the country without their father. Nothing is easy, and that is hard to read, but there are enough good people to help them in England. The importance of telling the truth in this novel is prominent but it is not a theme that hammers you over the head. It was not an easy read but I couldn't put it down.
I found this book dull and boring. I had to read it for school, which may be why i didn't enjoy it, but I just couldn't relate to any of the characters.
The Other Side of Truth tells the story of a Nigerian family's escape from their beloved home in Africa to England. The father is an outspoken journalist. He reminded me of the American revolutionists: he spoke out about the injustices in his country, he moved his press time and again to avoid discovery, and he was targeted as an undesirable element. The events in this book take place just after the sham trial and heinous execution of Ken Saro-Wiwa, and Naidoo does a fine job of placing this within the context of the story. After the mother of the family is mistakenly murdered instead of the father, the two children are whisked away to England. Their traumatic trip and harrowing experiences upon reaching England are sanitized somewhat for the age group for which this story was written, but it works quite well. I'd recommend this book for any 10-12 year old, especially those with an interest in history and social injustice.