Review by Booklist Review
This vividly illustrated fictionalized memoir demonstrates how ordinary young people can affect change through social movements. The unnamed protagonist, who is unidentified by gender pronouns (but is potentially the author), recounts instances of activism they witnessed growing up in Jakarta, Indonesia, in the 1970s. Their relatives were student activists, and their father was branded a dissident by the government. They learned about solidarity early on when they banded together with other kampung kids to stop bullies on bikes who were harassing them. Years later, a childhood friend organized local villagers to stand up against rich developers who stole land from the locals to build a golf course. Through these incidents and references to others that help anchor this in time, they introduce readers to the racism and discrimination they observed, especially toward Chinese Indonesians. They describe how they became a newspaper reporter who covered the Reformasi movement, where Indonesians protested a corrupt government. Timely and unique, this visually striking journey will encourage young people to fight for what they believe in.--Sharon Rawlins Copyright 2020 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
In this fictionalized memoir, Nagara (The Wedding Portrait) engages readers with a conversational approach, starting with his own beginning. "Born in the eye of a Monsoon Storm," a baby arrives in an Indonesia beset by political tempests and corrupt leaders; the Minister is a particularly looming figure, depicted as a cynical, sinister villain. Though dates are never specified, mentions of the Vietnam War, the Soweto uprising, the Irish Troubles, Space Invaders, and the Indonesian Reformasi movement may help contextualize the era. In both his words and his dynamic, textured artwork, Nagara skillfully connects personal experiences to larger themes of social justice: neighborhood kids unite against bullies and teach a larger lesson of solidarity ("If you band together with others you can win"), and a movement that removes the Suharto regime from power in Indonesia after many decades reinforces the idea that revolution is a long game. Through these moving vignettes, Nagara offers a powerful reminder to readers that "it's real people who make real social change movements a reality." Ages 8--12. (Nov.)
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 3--7--As an unnamed narrator (with no gender specification) is thrust into a growing Indonesian social movement, readers are presented with an array of social concepts that are integrated into the narrative without condescension or artificiality. Born to a well-known dissident and an American-born mother who protested segregation, the narrator has always felt different from other Indonesian children. When they and their friend learn about protesting university students being shot, they decide to investigate. Although no specific date is given, the mentions of Richard Nixon's resignation and references to the American Indian Movement, United Farm Workers movement, gay liberation, and the Soweto uprising place the narrative in the mid- to late 1970s. The diversity of Indonesian society and the lingering effects of Dutch colonization are impressively detailed. Indonesian and English words that are defined in the narrative are italicized. An impassioned epilogue about the types of people needed for "real social movement" (people "willing to fail," impatient, "loyal and united," and stubborn) concludes the story. VERDICT A unique and insightful read about the importance of public protest and speaking out against injustice. With its smooth read-aloud quality and vivid illustrations, this could be shared with a wide range of ages, from elementary school to adult.--Jennifer Schultz Angoli, Fauquier County Public Library, Warrenton, VA
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A fictionalized memoir depicts an Indonesian child developing consciousness of activism on both local and global scales.In episodic chapters, the narrator, born in Indonesia to an Indonesian father and a possibly American mother, recounts their upbringing in Indonesia and their growing awareness of activism against a corrupt authoritarian regime. (The narrator, possibly assumed to be the author, is never indicated by gendered pronoun and similarly does not mention any ethnic identity markers of their mother.) Nagara introduces young readers to many political concepts, including corruption, collusion, and nepotism, juxtaposed with dissidence, free speech, and populism. While those in power are mostly represented by the sinister, unnamed "Minister," readers may infer the time period from the "NO KKN" slogan protesting the New Order of the Suharto period and mentions of the Soweto uprising in South Africa and activist groups such as the Black Panthers and the American Indian Movement in the United States. Nagara introduces broader concepts of diversity using the example of multicultural Indonesia, celebrating unity while not shying away from discrimination against the ethnic Chinese or those falling outside traditional gender roles. The extremely ambitious text sometimes feels disjointed, especially within the framework of a story that is not exactly true, though is still a powerful narrative that encourages long-term awareness, work, sacrifice, and patience in order to effect change for all people.Inspiring. (Fiction/memoir. 9-13) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
