I thought this book was very interesting. It seems very realistic in the sense that so many things seem misunderstood, and unfair. It definitely sucked me in, and allowed me to read it in one sitting! ( )

This is a gripping story about Kenya’s Independence movement, from the perspectives of two teenager boys: Mathew, an English farmer’s son growing up in Kenya, and Mugo, a native Kenyan working in Mathew’s kitchen.

Read to prepare for a conference in Fresno, this book bears similarities to Mwangi's "Mzungu Boy." Both are set in 1950s Kenya and both portray that historical struggle through the eyes of two boys, one the white son of a landholder and the other a native black Kikuyu boy.

Naidoo provides more background into the nature of The Emergency and the reasons for the Mau Mau rebellion. However, the story feels a bit cluttered with characters, all of whom add to the complex tale, but who are a bit hard to sort out at times. The story of the ultimately untenable friendship between Mathew and Mugo and their families feels a bit too didactic to be emotionally satisfying. The setting in Kenya, with the go-away bird, an angry elephant, and the black town separate from the whites all help to create the place for the reader.

This book would likely appeal to students who enjoyed "Mzungu Boy," while providing them with a bit more background about The Emergency. ( )

Read to prepare for a conference in Fresno, this book bears similarities to Mwangi's "Mzungu Boy." Both are set in 1950s Kenya and both portray that historical struggle through the eyes of two boys, one the white son of a landholder and the other a native black Kikuyu boy.

Naidoo provides more background into the nature of The Emergency and the reasons for the Mau Mau rebellion. However, the story feels a bit cluttered with characters, all of whom add to the complex tale, but who are a bit hard to sort out at times. The story of the ultimately untenable friendship between Mathew and Mugo and their families feels a bit too didactic to be emotionally satisfying. The setting in Kenya, with the go-away bird, an angry elephant, and the black town separate from the whites all help to create the place for the reader.

This book would likely appeal to students who enjoyed "Mzungu Boy," while providing them with a bit more background about The Emergency. ( )

Burn My Heart is a story of two friends who are separated by race and status, nonetheless their friendship blossoms, and although they are friends each position held is understood. Mugo kitchen servant, and Mathew is his young master as well as his friend. Their fathers grew up together Britain and Kenyan , they too had an understanding of one another. Then there is a state of Emergency, all land owners are advised to put up fences up around their property. The Mau Mau secret society is forcing laborers around the land to take an oath that will defy their masters and possibly lead to death or severe punishment if they do not take the oath. The British are forming alliances with one another and are aware of the Mau Mau, Mathew and his father are looked upon as ignorant and are warned for trusting their servants too much. Mugo and his family are woken up in the middle of the night, he is out using the restroom when he sees his parents being forced out of their living quarters. He secretly follows them and discovers they are being forced to take the oath. Tensions are rising between the families. Mathew and his new friend, the son of a British Police inspector accidently set fire to the garden. Mugo and his father rush to help and are found to be suspects. They are taken to be questioned, along with all the laborers of the house. His father is beaten senselessly in the next room, while he is punished as well. He is found innocent and is set free to his mother. Mathew’s conscience can no longer stand what is taking place and he confesses to his father that it was him who set fire to the garden. His father shares with him that it is too late, they have too much information on the servants and have found information that has caused them to believe that their laborers/friends are associated with Mau Mau. Mathew is broken hearted and does not understand what is taking place. Mugo and the rest of the laborers come back for their belongings. Mathew is calling after Mugo, he wants to give him cookies, and say goodbye but his father will not let him do so. Mugo, his family, and friends are taken away. Mugo feels a fire within him, he is angry, and then one of the elders shares with him that the fire will continue to eat them, he warns Mugo not to let the fire consume his heart. Mugo struggles with this idea as he cannot imagine how he could accomplish this. ( )