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Journey to Jo'burg by Beverley Naidoo

Journey to Jo'burg

A South African Story

Beverley Naidoo

HarperCollins · Print & ebook · December 30, 2019

“Has no equal.

Prejudice & RacismStories Set in AfricaHistorical Africashort story
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middlegradecontemporaryrealistic
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Who it’s for
A short, compelling novel pairs family urgency with a child’s growing understanding of apartheid.
Themes
Apartheid and racial injustice, Sibling courage and family, Prejudice and racism
Genres
Historical Africa, Prejudice & Racism, Stories Set in Africa

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About this book

“Has no equal. Evocative and haunting.” (School Library Journal starred review) The bestselling classic set in South Africa during the apartheid era, in which two siblings must face the dangers of their divided country. Mma lives and works in Johannesburg, far from the village thirteen-year-old Naledi and her younger brother, Tiro, call home.

Continue reading

When their baby sister suddenly becomes very sick, Naledi and Tiro know that they need to bring their mother back in order to save their sister’s life. Bravely, secretly, they set off on the long journey to the big city to find Mma. It isn’t until they finally reach Jo’burg that they see up close what life is like for black citizens across South Africa—and begin to really question the unfair and dangerous laws of apartheid. A classic look at prejudice and racism in apartheid South Africa, this short and compelling novel is perfect for independent reading projects and classroom sharing.

Urgency and Injustice

A short, compelling novel pairs family urgency with a child’s growing understanding of apartheid.

Come here for

  • Siblings facing danger together
  • A child’s-eye encounter with apartheid’s injustices

Expect

  • A brief, sustained narrative
  • Hard questions about prejudice and racism

Where it sits

Prejudice & Racism94%
Historical Africa58%
Stories Set in Africa48%

Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.

Publisher categories

  • The Classics
  • US: African American Stories
  • Parent-Child Stories
  • Stories Set in Africa
Show all 8 publisher categories
  • Short Stories
  • Friendship
  • Prejudice & Racism
  • Self-Esteem & Resilience
Authors
Beverley Naidoo
Publisher
HarperCollins
Published
December 30, 2019
Format
Print & ebook
Theme
Apartheid and racial injustice · Sibling courage and family · Prejudice and racism
Reading lane
The Classics