"Two illegal immigrants, smuggled into England and abandoned, struggle to survive in the hostile environment depicted in this significant and topical Carnegie winner. Unforgettable."
This is the story of 12 year-old Sade and her brother Femi who flee to Britain from Nigeria. Their father is a political journalist who refuses to stop criticising the military rulers in Nigeria. Their mother is killed and they are sent to London, with their father promising to follow.
Abandoned at Victoria Station by the woman paid to bring them to England as her children, Sade and Femi find themselves alone in a new, often hostile, environment. Seen through the eyes of Sade, the novel explores what it means to be classified as 'illegal' and the difficulties which come with being a refugee.
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I thoroughly enjoyed The Other Side of Truth. The engaging story kept me hooked, and the experiences of Sade and Femi felt incredibly realistic, making the narrative deeply emotional. I love how the adults are so supportive of the children, and I adored the bond between Sade and Femi. I definitely recommend this book to children aged 11 to 13!!!
I thoroughly enjoyed The Other Side of Truth. The engaging story kept me hooked from start to finish, and the experiences of Sade and Femi felt incredibly realistic, which made the narrative deeply emotional. I was particularly impressed with how supportive the adults were toward the children throughout their ordeal. The bond between Sade and Femi was beautifully depicted and truly heart-warming. As someone who is the same age as Sade, I found it easy to connect with her character. Femi, being ten years old like my brother, added an extra layer of relatability and surprise for me. This story’s combination of realistic characters, emotional depth, and strong themes of support and resilience makes it a must-read.... Read Full Review
