Gift Days

Gr 1–2—Nassali is growing up in Uganda. Her mother has died, and, as is customary in her culture, when a mother dies, the work of running the household, feeding the hungry mouths, and caring for the younger siblings falls to the eldest girl. Yet Nassali wants so much more than that for herself. Her brother, Matovu, attends school, and Nassali is heartbroken that she can't. When she rises one day and finds that all of her chores are completed, she is able to spend time practicing printing squiggles in the dirt that she has seen in books. Who gave her this gift day, she wonders? Matovu has seen her burning desire to learn and begins to help with the chores and tutors her as well, and it isn't long before Nassali is able to read something to her proud family. The monochromatic palette is dark throughout the book with no relief when things begin to look up for Nassali. Back matter describes the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which often are inaccessible in countries such as Uganda. A final page provides a much-needed glossary. For example, there is mention that Nassali's mother died of "slim," which is defined as HIV/AIDS. Pair this book with Elizabeth Fitzgerald Howard's Virgie Goes to School with Us Boys (S & S, 2000) to showcase the importance of school to another young girl.—Joan Kindig, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA