Told through the eyes of Farida, as well as her inquisitive siblings, this is a beautiful story about growing up in Sudan. Sudanese culture and customs are brought to life, from the ubiquitous tea service and hearty breakfasts to the commemoration of Muslim holidays and the rites of birth and death. But a happy childhood spent in the capital and the rural villages of 1960s Sudan ends startlingly with a sudden military coup that changes the make-up of Farida's family forever. Told in short, standalone chapters in direct and unadorned prose, the book is perfect for teachers to use as excerpts in the classroom.