Child of Dandelions.

Dave Jenkinson is a professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Manitoba and the author of the “Portraits” section of Emergency Librarian.

This Uganda-set historical novel commences on August 6, 1972, with President Idi Amin’s announcement that he’d had a dream in which God told him to expel all foreign Indians from Uganda within the next 90 days. Because Sabine’s wealthy family numbers itself among the 20,000 Indians who are Ugandan-born citizens, they do not see themselves being affected by Amin’s edict. Sabine, 15, however, immediately feels its impact when her ethnic African friend, Zena, almost 17, starts treating her differently, calling her the child of dandelions, the seed of Indian weeds that have infested the “true” Ugandans’ lands. The physical danger facing Sabine’s family is underlined when her uncle disappears and it is later discovered that he has been murdered by government forces.

Just days before the expulsion date, Amin’s order is extended to all Indians, regardless of citizenship, with those not leaving voluntarily to be relocated to concentration camps. Accordingly, Sabine and her family elect to become refugees, with Canada being their destination.

Child of Dandelions provides a balanced presentation, with Zena frequently serving as the voice of black Ugandans and Sabine, while chaffing at the absurdity of Amin’s edict, recognizing how, following Uganda’s independence, Indians had largely replaced white Europeans in power and wealth. To assist readers in following Amin’s approaching deadline, each chapter is headed with both the actual date and the ascending edict-day number. A concluding “Historical Note” provides background for today’s youth for whom this historical happening is likely not even part of any school-taught course. Highly recommended.