The Other Side of Truth

An award-winning novel for A Puffin Book - stories that last a lifetimeThis 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.

“Sometimes you have to break the rules, particularly when those rules are based on prejudice. Naidoo breaks the rules, producing books for young people which recognize that they want to know about the real world”

Beverley Naidoo breaks the rules, producing books for young people which recognize that they want to know about the real world Guardian
This novel wholly deserves its classic status . . . still relevant and poignant Booktrust
A marvellous read ... that refuels the desire for justice and freedom Jon Snow
A marvellous read ... that refuels the desire for justice and freedom -- Jon Snow
Guardian
Genuinely enlightening ... gently moves the reader through areas that are hard to think about. TES

South African author Beverley Naidoo was exiled from her home country when she was a student in 1965, for campaigning against apartheid. Her first children's novel, JOURNEY TO JO'BURG, was banned in South Africa when it was published in 1985 and only available there after the release of Nelson Mandela from jail in 1991. It was however published in many other countries around the world and widely praised for its eloquent, moving and accessible story. Her later novel, THE OTHER SIDE OF TRUTH, won the Carnegie Medal in 2000 and she has written many other acclaimed books for children. Beverley lives in the UK.

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