Burn My Heart

written by:  Beverley Naidoo
published by: Amistad, an Imprint of HarperCollins, 2007
Audience (reading level): 10 and up (Flesch-Kincaid 5.6)

In this historical fiction novel, Beverley Naidoo takes us to Kenya in the early 1950s. This is the story of the Mau Mau rebellion, seen through the eyes of two young boys.

Mathew and Mugo share a friendship, just as their fathers had before them. The boys are the third generation of their families living in British-occupied Kenya.  What had been the tribal land of Mugo’s grandfather now belonged to the Graysons.  By British decree, Mathew’s grandfather owned 5,000 acres. The Kikuyus – Mugo’s people – were hired as staff and were allowed to create a homestead on some of the land.

It is November 1951, and the rumblings of a rebellion against the British occupiers are beginning to grow.  Talk of the Mau Mau among adults was now spilling over to young ears, including Mugo’s and Mathew’s. This is where the story begins and their lives begin to diverge.

• Mathew believes that loyalty and friendship will protect them from the Mau Mau.  Mugo is his friend. They do fun things together, they share secrets. Mugo saved his life – twice!

• When Mugo witnesses a Mau Mau initiation meeting – and sees his father take an oath, he is confused. Bwana Kidogo (little master) doesn’t always make good choices, but he isn’t like the white people the Mau Mau described.

Both boys struggle with trying to understand what is going on and what it means for their families.  In their own way, they are angry and saddened by what is happening.  Thanks in part to the heavy-handed Kenya Police Reserve, every event is blown out of proportion, fueling fear, resentment, and misunderstanding. The secrets they share become huge knots in their stomachs.

In December 1951, Lance Smithers, Mathew’s classmate and the zealot son of a Kenya Police Reserve inspector, arrives on the scene.  He is a catalyst – more like a firebomb – that pushes Mathew and Mugo to harden their positions.  Lance, as unlikeable as he is, is an important piece of the story. His close-minded, aggressive behavior helps the boys uncover their own feelings.

In Burn My Heart, Naidoo turns innocence on its ear.  On first glance, the three boys’ indiscretions (disobeying a parent so they can hunt, staying up past bedtime, keeping secrets) seem typical of a young boys.  They are children, and these are innocent, minor things.  No one got hurt. As the story unfolds, that innocence is eroded. In part, because of their own actions, but also because of events thrust upon them. Yes, somebody did get hurt.

Whenever I read a book where the story built around black v. white characters, I  always feel uneasy and ignorant. No matter how many stories I hear or read, I still have a difficult time understanding why people treat each other the way they do. I don’t “get” their reasoning, either.

In Burn My Heart, Naidoo helps clarify how things turn ugly.  This is a story about Character. There were times in the story that I got angry at Mathew and ached for Mugo. There were times when I was angry at Mugo and ached for Mathew. In talking about the boys in her afterword, Naidoo closes with this adage:

the word in the heart is drawn out by talking.

THAT I get. Burn My Heart is exceptional, and Naidoo has crafted another wonderful story. I can easily imagine Mugo and Mathew walking down the street. There is no more Mau Mau, but fear and misunderstanding are still very much a part of this world. This is a book meant for readers pre-teen thorugh adult. It is destined to open some wonderfully thoughtful, candid discussions that are as relevant today as theywould have been in 1951.

Other books by Beverley Naidoo
Out of Bounds: Seven Stories of Conflict and Hope (HarperCollins, 2008)
Web of Lies (Amistad, 2006)

This is our March selection for the Diversity Rocks book challenge. Be sure to stop by Diversity Rocks! to see the collection of March reviews.

February 2009 [New Books Received: 41; Books Read: 27]

This month there are plenty of new books and some old favorites, too. Since the favorites are child selected I decided to include them since that’s an indicator (at least to me) of just how much a story can mean to its audience! Previously reviewed books  aren’t counted in the monthly total, and this months “old favorites” won’t appear in any subsequent lists.

Picture Books (all ages)

10 Things I Can Do to Help My World: Fun and Easy Eco-tips written and illustrated by Melanie Walsh review

Bats at the Beach written and illustrated by Brian Lies (review to come)

Boycott Blues: How Rosa Parks Inspired a Nation written by Andrea Davis Pinkney, illustrated by Brian Pinkney review1 review2

Coretta Scott written by Ntozake Shange, illustrated by Kadir Nelson review

H is for Homerun: A Baseball Alphabet written by Brad Herzog, illustrated by Melanie Rose (previously reviewed)

Home to Me, Home to You written by Jennifer A. Ericsson, illustrated by Ashley Wolff (previously reviewed)

I Can Do it Myself written by Diane Adams, illustrated by Nancy Hayashi review

I Have a Loose Tooth written and illustrated by Sally Noll (review to come)

I Like Myself! written by Karen Beaumont, illustrated by David Catrow

Louise, The Adventures of a Chicken written by Kate DeCamillo, illustrated by Henry Bliss review

Manners Can Be Fun by Munro Leaf

The Monster Who Did My Math written by Danny Schnitzlein, illustrated by Bill Mayer review

My Mama Says there Aren’t Any Zombies, Ghosts, Vampires, Demons Monsters… written by Judith Viorst, illustrated by Kay Chorao

Oh, the Places You’ll Go by Dr. Seuss

Patch the Porcupine and the Bike Shop Job written and illustrated by Scott Nelson (previously reviewed)

Pinkalicious written by Victoria Kann and Elizabeth Kann, illustrated by Victoria Kann

Pippo the Fool written by Tracey E. Fern, illustrated by Pau Estrada review

President’s Day written by Anne Rockwell, illustrated by Lizzy Rockwell review

Splat: The Tale of a Colorful Cat written by Jane Seymour and James Keach, illustrated by James Keach (previously reviewed)

Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born written by Jamie Lee Curtis, illustrated by Laura Cornell (previously reviewed)

Velma Gratch and the Way Cool Butterfly written by Alan Madison and Kevin Hawkes (previously reviewed)

What Lincoln Said written by Sarah L. Thomson, illustrated by James E. Ransome review

When Dinosaurs Came with Everything written by Elise Broach, illustrated by David Small (previously reviewed)

Easy Readers (Early, Emerging, Transitional)

The 100th Day of School written by Abby Klein

The Cabbage Princess written by Joy Cowley

Charming Ponies: A Pony to the Rescue written by Lois Szmanski

Dirk Bones and the Mystery of the Haunted House, [I Can Read, level 1] written and illustrated by Doug Cushman (previously reviewed)

Junie B. Jones Has a Monster Under Her Bed written by Barbara Park, illustrated by Denise Brunkus

The Skeleton on the Bus written by Gwen Pascoe, illustrated by Mark Payne

Snow Surprise [Green Light Readers, level 2] written and illustrated by Lisa Campbell Ernst

Middle Grade and Young Adult

Dr. Quantum in the Grandfather Paradox written by Fred Alan Wolf review

Ghost Medicine by Andrew Smith review interview

Burn My Heart by Beverley Naidoo review

Out of Bounds: Seven Stories of Conflict and Hope by Beverley Naidoo review

My Friend Flicka by Mary O’Hara review

The Magic Thief: Lost (Book 2) Sarah Prineas (publication: May 2009) review

The Strongbow Saga: Book 1 Viking Warrior by Judson Roberts review

When I started the Reading Tub, I wrote the tag line “Turning a page … opening the world.” I thought it captured the potential and reach of reading. There is so much to explore between the covers of a book. Reading can transport you to new places (of this earth and beyond), introduce you to new people (real and not), and expand your everyday world. That idea is what drew me to Ali’s Diversity Rocks! book challenge.

One of the things I like about the challenge (aside from the flexibility) is that it will help me take a more thoughtful approach in selecting books I read. Frankly, I don’t think about ethnicity or race when I look at a book. I am drawn to a book because the story sounds interesting. Sometimes it is because the illustrations or photographs draw me in without reading a word. Taking the time to learn more of the back story or pay attention to the origin of the stories will round out my reading experience. And that’s cool.

Here are the books I’ve selected for the challenge. Update: In my previous post, I said I would commit to six books. In my original comment on Ali’s post announcing the challenge, I have committed to reading nine books … and secretly hoping to read 12. Here are the first six books on my list (in no particular order). You may recognize a few of these from my TBR pile …

Give a Goat written by Jan West Schrock, illustrated by Aileen Darragh. This may be a stretch, but it offers a true-life story about a 5th grade class and their effort to think beyond themselves to help a family continents away. From the publisher’s website: “Give a Goat is a template for adults and children who want to work together to experience the satisfaction of giving to others and making a difference in the world. “

Out of Bounds: Seven Stories of Conflict and Hope by Beverley Naidoo. I love Naidoo’s work. I read Web of Lies, several years ago and she got me hooked on stories that let you tap into the struggles of immigrant kids and their families. This is a collection of short stories about apartheid in South Africa. This was a book that caught my eye last September.

The Dragon’s Child: A Story of Angel Island by Lawrence Yep with Dr. Kathleen S. Yep. This is a middle-grade story about immigration that one of our parents already reviewed. Their review is compelling, and I want to read it myself.

Mountains to Climb written by Richard Wainwright, illustrated by Jack Crompton. From School Library Journal: “A gentle story about a boy from the Andes mountains and his pet llama, born with one eye, who sail to America to live with his aunt and uncle for ‘a year or two.’ He helps his fellow Explorers Club members find shelter on a stormy mountain top and rescue their injured advisor. Before he returns to South America, Roberto convinces the Explorers to admit two new members–one boy who is blind and another who has two artificial legs. The portrayal of the two physically challenged boys and their interaction with the others on the camping trip is the book’s strength.”

Little Leap Forward: A Boy in Beijing written by Guo Yue and Clare Farrow, illustrated by Helen Cann. This is a book that arrived in the office last fall and was in my last Reading Ahead column. This middle-grade novel is set in in Beijing, China, in 1966. I wsa three in 1966, and I know very little about the Cultural Revolution. The author is a contemporary, and I would like to see how his story unfolds.

Seven Miles to Freedom: The Robert Smalls Story written by Janet Halfmann, illustrated by Duane Smith. This is the story of an escaped slave’s journey to freedom. What captured my interest in reading this book was this statement in Cloudscome’s review at A Wrung Sponge: “You don’t often get exciting stories of heroism and resistance by smart, brave, persistent African Americans who spent their lifetime working for justice and freedom. Robert Smalls is such a man and Seven Miles to Freedom is a thrilling biography for elementary age children.”

Rather than pre-select all of my titles just to “fit” the challenge, I am going to opt to add some later. That will allow me to explore and get suggestions from other readers and take advantage of new titles that come in for review.

The Diversity Rocks! book challenge is, well, diverse. There are no genres or age ranges involved. I’m sticking with children’s books because that’s (a) what I read the most; (b) that’s my audience; and (c) it’s easy. If you’re looking for ideas, read Ali’s posts about children’s picture books and middle-grade titles.

This work by Reading Tub is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 US License

The bookshelves continue to fill up with largely fantasy and science fiction … all of which are one volume or another of a series. Specific plot elements and character names aside, they are running together. Here’s what looks cool … and distinguishes itself because it’s NOT in that mix.

Man in the Moon by Dotti Enderle This is a story set in Texas in the summer of 1961. What catches my eye about it is this part of the blurb: “When Ricky takes sick, really sick…Janine feels powerless to help her brother, but Mr. Lunas has a plan.” More and more, kids are having to deal with seriously ill relatives. This may be a story that helps them understand life. (Delacorte Press, an Imprint of Random House, Inc., 2008)

Reaching for the Moon by Buzz Aldrin, illustrated by Wendell Minor. I am always happy to highlight potentially great books that are (a) non-fiction and (b) books that can engage boys. This illustrated biography (reading level 6.1) looks like it could be perfect for reluctant and remedial readers. (Collins, an Imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, 2008)

Listen! by Stephanie S. Tolan. There are lots of books about kids and pets, but usually they’re for younger kids. This is the story of a young girl who, while dealing with her own pain, crosses paths with an abused dog. It’s nice to see something that ISN’T princess or intergalactic! (HarperTrophy, an Imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, 2008)

Out of Bounds; Seven Stories of Conflict and Hope by Beverely Naidoo. We loved Web of Lies, and this collection of short stories looks like they could be as equally compelling as that novel was two years ago. These are stories about apartheid in South Africa, in a “youth voice.” HarperTrophy, an Imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, 2008)

Ghost Files by the Ghost Society Just thumbing through this book is neat. There are pages within pages, tabs to pull, and things to move as you learn about ghosts and ghost-lore. The reading level is grade 8, so it offers something for kids who want/need to keep busy while they read. NOTE: The book will be available next month (which in reality is next week). (HarperCollins Publisher, 2008)

This work by Reading Tub is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 US License

The Weekly Geek Challenge #4 has pushed all of my other to-do’s to the back of the inbox.  The idea is to choose books with a political or social issue that matters to you.

I love this idea because it is rather timely … when was the last day you can remember not hearing the names Hillary, Barrack, or McCain? Even when I don’t read the articles, my six-year-old Kindergartner points out their pictures. Which leads me to my next point …Books that get kids reading about an issue get kids THINKING. They’ll remember it (whatever “it” may be). My daughter knows who the presidential candidates are because she read Time for Kids in school.

The same is true for stories. Great books — and their characters — stay with you well after you have finished reading. They might get hooked on reading more about an issue. They might want to do something related to an issue, or they may just want to read more books by an author. Whatever it is, they’ve found the secret of reading: it can change your life.

Here are some books that introduce kids to social and political ideas that can transform their world. Some are historical others are set in more modern times. We included a summary here. If you’re not sure how it fits the topic, click our full review. That will tell you more.

Child out of Place: A Story of New England by Patricia Q. Wall. Matty and her family are slaves who serve Mr. Joshua Warren of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. In 1802, when Matty was five, Mr. Warren agreed to grant his slaves their personal freedom. Though receiving their freedom papers technically freed them, American society was not ready to treat former slaves as equals. In fact, everyday life for black people, free or slave, was very dangerous. Matty is sharing her life’s story with her children and grandchildren to help them understand and appreciate their heritage. This historical fiction novel takes place in 19th Century New Hampshire, and follows the life of a newly freed African slave. Read our full review.

The Computer’s Nerd by W. Royce Adams. Arthur is bright, quiet, and studious by nature. Three classmates have been making his life miserable, and Arthur is scared and frustrated. Help comes to young Arthur, the class nerd, via a computer fantasy when he discovers “The Game,” which allows him to get revenge on the bullies. At first, Arthur, felt justified in inflicting pain on the bullies. As the game continued, it ratcheted up the level of painful consequences for the bullies, Arthur becomes uncomfortable about what he’s doing. Has the computer taken over his life? Is his goal to seriously injure the bullies? Has he gone too far to redeem himself? This is a fantasy adventure book for teens. Read our full review.

Just Call Me Joe Joe by Jean Alicia Ester. Joe Joe Rawlings is ten years old. He has a dilemma: his best friend is starting to hang out more with kids who get in trouble. When he goes to the neighborhood store, the shopkeeper accuses Joe Joe of being part of the gang who trashed his store just minutes before he arrived. He is devastated and very angry. He takes his book about the Negro Baseball League and Cool Papa Bell and decides to read to calm down. The story helps Joe Joe understand his situation and find the courage to stand up for himself. This is the first book in a series about urban life and the choices kids are faced with these days. Read our full review.

Red Thunder: Secrets, Spies, and Scoundrels at Yorktown by John P. Hunter. Nate Chandler, a fourteen-year-old boy, lived on the family farm near the York River. In May 1781 the British launched a major campaign at Yorktown to end the six-year War for Independence. Bands of British Cavalry roamed the area ruthlessly attacking and killing innocent citizens. Nate and his parents were left for dead, their cattle taken, and the farm burned to the ground. He was determined to avenge the attack but felt helpless. A young militia officer recognized Nate’s ability to “think-on-his-feet” and paired him with James, a former Negro slave with a photographic memory. They became an espionage team that provided valuable intelligence that General Washington and General Lafayette used to defeat the British and end the Revolutionary War. This is a historical novel that tells the story of two boys at the Battle of Yorktown. Read our full review.

Web of Lies by Beverly Naidoo. Having fled Nigeria and resettled in London, Femi and Sade thought they would finally be safe. While Sade is dealing with her mother’s death and the possible intrusion of a “new woman” in their lives, Femi is getting more and more involved with a street gang. It isn’t long before their resilience as individuals and as a family are once again put to the test. This is a novel that allows you to journey with the characters (and their father) as they deal with the presence of a gang in their lives. Read our full review.

Regrettably, we couldn’t find any  non-fiction “grabbers” in our book bag. If you’ve got one, please leave a comment and add it through Mr. Linky. Be sure to put your name and post in the link.

We love a great chapter book, and this summer we had the chance to read a few gems. We even learned some things, historically speaking! Generally, we try to showcase the high-quality work of self-published authors and smaller houses. We must say, though, that there are some truly thought-provoking books from two of the major publishing houses in the titles we read!

Abner Doubleday: Boy Baseball Pioneer, Montrew Dunham. Abner Doubleday grew up in Auburn, New York, in the 1820s and 30s. Abner, his brother Tom, and their friends spent most of their free time playing and making up all sorts of bat and ball games. Though Auburn was a small town, the boys found it to be an exciting place to grow up. Abner’s family, teachers, and friends helped form his character and enabled him to become a famous general, businessman, and … a baseball pioneer. This is a biography for middle readers. (Patria Press, 2006)

Blood on the Wind: The Memoirs of Flying Horse Molie, a Yampa Ute, Lucile Bogue. This novel recounts the story of the Meeker Massacre of 1879 on lands in Northwest Colorado, ceded by the US Government to the Yampa Utes. It is narrated by Flying Horse Mollie, a young teenager and Yampa Ute, who witnessed the incompetence and arrogance of the Indian Agents sent by Washington to supposedly provide food and shelter to Indians. This is a novel of historical fiction for young adults. (Western Reflections Publishing Company, 2001)

The Computer’s Nerd, W. Royce Adams. Arthur is bright, quiet, and studious by nature. Three classmates have been making his life miserable, and Arthur is scared and frustrated. His parents surprise him with a computer and he discovers a game that allows him to get revenge on the bullies. At first, Arthur, felt justified in inflicting pain on the bullies. As the game continued, it ratcheted up the level of painful consequences for the bullies, Arthur becomes uncomfortable about what he’s doing. This is a fantasy adventure book for teens. (Rairarubia Books, 2002)

Crime Through Time! Swindled! The 1906 Journal of Fitz Morgan, Bill Doyle. Fitz Morgan loves detective work and hopes that there is a mystery to solve on the cross-country train trip to Aunt Elizabeth’s house in Sacramento, California. Just as Fitz is about to board the train, a dollar bill floats to the platform. Little did she know that her mystery had just begun. This is a largely fictional historical mystery with some great facts about 1906 tossed in. (Little, Brown and Company, 2006)

Firegirl, Tony Abbot. Tom Bender is a typical seventh grader. His days are filled dreaming about cars and girls and heroic adventures. Normal. The way he likes things. When Jessica Feeney arrives one month after school starts, things change. Almost immediatly Tom finds himself thinking about things that never occurred to him, and looking at people in different ways. This is a young adult chapter book about tolerance, acceptance, and compassion. (Little, Brown and Company, 2006)

Haunted Hill, Andrew Oliver. In the process of finding a topic for a history report, Mr. Snider, an elderly friend, told Sam and Stephanie about “Haunted Hill,” a place with a very sinister and murkey past. At Mr. Snider’s request, Sam and Stephanie go on an expedition to photograph the eagles nesting on Haunted Hill. While there, the two friends get trapped in a cave and find evidence that will solve some old and new crimes. This is the second title in the Sam & Stephanie Mystery Series. (Adams-Pomeroy, 2006)

Web of Lies, Beverly Naidoo. Having fled Nigeria and resettled in London, Femi and Sade thought they would finally be safe. While Sade is dealing with her mother’s death and the possible intrusion of a “new woman” in their lives, Femi is getting more and more involved with a street gang. It isn’t long before their resilience as individuals and as a family are once again put to the test. This is a novel that allows you to journey with the characters (and their father) as they deal with the presence of a gang in their lives. (Amistad, a Divison of HarperCollins Children’s Books, 2006)

This work by Reading Tub is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 US License