Author+Study

Beverley Naidoo was born in Johannesburg, South Africa on May 21, 1943. After growing up under apartheid, which gave white children more safety, she learned first hand what it was like for children to grow up without equality, justice or acceptance. At a young age, Naidoo began to question racism, as Johannesburg was one of the most racist countries in the world, she was arrested for taking part in a resistance movement. After being exiled in 1965, Beverley moved to England, where she married another South African exile. In Africa, apartheid laws did not allow interracial marriages, so she found love and safety in England.
 * // Beverley Naidoo //**
 * //Biography://**

Beverley cites that she did not start writing until her novels after her own children had grown up. During this time, Naidoo was everything from a teacher to a NGO Worker. Her first novel, Journey to Jo’berg, is based on her own experiences as a child during apartheid. This book was actually banned from South Africa until 1991, when Nelson Mandela was released from prison. This first book won a British award, The Other Award, where is received much praise for the themes of bravery and injustice.

Beverley Naidoo shares that each of her novel, she also writes picture books and fables, is a new journey for her. Although in all her stories, young characters come from different backgrounds and challenges, they are revolve around the themes of conflict, diversity, choice and injustice. Much of her writing is based on her life in South Africa and it wasn’t until the mid 1990’s when Naidoo was even allowed to return to South Africa freely to continue to research in the country to continue writing her stories.

Many people ask why Beverley Naidoo chooses to set so many novels in South Africa. Well her answer is simple; it is where she grew up, what is most familiar to her. Interestingly, she family migrated to South Africa to escape injustice of Jews in Europe where they ended in South Africa. Naidoo confirms that as a child, she never questioned by African American people had no power, for as a child, she knew no other way. As an author for children and young adults, she wrote stories to challenge the narrow way of life in which she grew up.

What makes Beverley Naidoo an exceptional author is that she spends much of her time researching. For the book, Chain of Fire, Naidoo was not allowed to go to South Africa, so she researched in England. Later on when she was allowed back in the country, To Turning Back, Beverley spent time with street children to get a sense of their lives and experiences.

As with all her book, novels and picture books, Beverley Naidoo makes sure to challenge ideas of injustice in hopes to create a more open-minded society.

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**//Awards://** Nominated for 2008 Hans Christian Andersen Award by the South African branch of the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY SA) __Journey to Jo’burg__: __Chain of Fire__: __No Turning Back__: __Out of Bounds__: **//Along with other awards from other novels as well: []//** **//Book Reviews://** __ Journey to Jo’burg: A South African Story __ Mama lives and works in Johannesburg, far from the village thirteen-year-old Naledi and her younger brother, Tiro, call home. After their little sister gets ill, the two children know that they must set out to find Mama. It is when they reach the city do the children find out first hand about the struggles in Jo’burg and what life is like for the working class. A sister and brother's journey through Johannesburg to find their mother becomes an awakening to the sufferings of the people living under the system of apartheid. Try reading this book with middle schoolers for a deep discussion on social justice.
 * The Other Award, UK, 1985
 * Child Study Children’s Book Committee Award, USA, 1986
 * Parents’ Choice Honor Book for Paperback Lit, USA, 1988
 * Smarties Prize for Children’s Books, UK, 1989
 * Notable Children’s Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies, USA, 1990
 * Best Books for YA list ALA, USA, 1991
 * ‘Vlag en Wimpel’ award, Holland, 1991
 * Smarties Prize for Children’s Books, UK, 1995
 * Book Trust 100 Best Books, UK, 1997
 * Notable Children’s Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies, USA, 1998
 * International Reading Association Teachers’ Choice, USA, 1998
 * African Studies Association Children’s Book Award for Older Readers, USA, 1998
 * A Best Book for Young Adults, American Library Association, USA 2004
 * Riverbank Review Children's Book of Distinction, USA 2004
 * Jane Addams Peace Association Book Award for Older Children, USA 2004
 * African Studies Association Children’s Africana Book Award (Older Readers), USA 2004
 * Parents' Silver Honor Award, USA 2003

Author (s): Beverley Naidoo Illustrator: Eric Velasquez Title: Journey to Jo’burg: A South African Story ISBN: 0064402371 Publisher: Harper Collins Date of publication: June 3, 1988 Number of pages: 96 Recommended/listed price: $4.99

__ Chain of Fire __ This book also discusses the struggles of apartheid in South Africa, where two friends and their families are forced to move after the South African government makes a new law. Fear keeps the villagers from rebelling against this unfair change, but Naledi and Taolo find the strength to organize an anti-removal march through the village. This protest causes the police to retailiate against the village. Have the two friends caused more harm than good? This book challenges the ideas free speech as well as wrong versus right.

Author (s): Beverley Naidoo Illustrator: N/A Title: Chain of Fire ISBN: 0141318414 Place of publication: New York, New York Publisher: Puffin Date of publication: September 2, 2004 Number of pages: 208

__ No Turning Back: A Novel of South Africa __ After escaping from an abusive family, the main character, 12 year old Sipho sets off for Johannesburg in South Africa. In the streets of Jo’burg, he lives with a gang of children who all are trying to survive. Sipho learns the hard way about how can be trusted in the ‘new’ South Africa. Beverley Naidoo spent time with children on the streets of South Africa to research for this book, which is proven with her sharp details and descriptions. No Turning Back appeared on the short list of both the Guardian and Smarties book prizes on the United Kingdom.

Author (s): Beverley Naidoo Illustrator: N/A Title: No Turning Back ISBN: 0064407497 Publisher: Harper Collins Date of publication: January 6, 1999 Number of pages: 208 Recommended/listed price: $19.99

__ The Other Side of Truth __ When Nigeria's corrupt military government kills their mother, twelve-year-old Sade and her brother Femi think their lives are over. Out of fear for their safety, their father, an outspoken journalist, decides to smuggle the children out of Nigeria and into London, where their uncle lives. But when they get to the cold and massive city, they find themselves lost and alone, with no one to trust and no idea when -- or if -- they will ever see their father again. //The Other Side of Truth// is a gripping adventure story about courage, family, and the power of truth for students grade 5-8.

Author (s): Beverley Naidoo Illustrator: N/A Title: The Other Side of Truth ISBN: 0064410021 Publisher: Harper Trophy Date of publication: December 24, 2002 Number of pages: 252 pages Recommended/listed price: $6.99

__ Aesop’s Fables __ A little mouse saves the life of a great lion; hungry Grasshopper, too lazy to store food, gets no mercy from the industrious ants; crafty Jackal tricks Klipspringer to escape death - but is himself tricked by the cock and the dog…. Here are 16 of Aesop's wise, witty and timeless fables, portrayed for the first time in an African setting. This is an exciting new interpretation of one of the world's great classics. This unique story collection is vividly illustrated by Beverley Naidoo's fellow South African Piet Grobler, an internationally acclaimed illustrator.

Author (s): Beverley Naidoo Illustrator: Piet Grobler Title: Aesop’s Fables ISBN: 1847800076 Publisher: Fraces Lincoln Children’s Books Date of publication: September 27, 2011 Number of pages: 48 pages Recommended/listed price: $9.99

__ Baba’s Gift __ In this picture book written by Beverley Naidoo, two siblings visit the sea, taking a little wooden boat to play with in the surf that their grandpa has made. They quickly make a new friend and play together with the boat in the sea. While the family is having a picnic, no one notices the waves has taken their boat away. The children are upset to loss their boat but find a special shell to take home for their father to make up for losing the boat. The children realize that the boat can be replaced, but there is nothing more beautiful than the shell.

Author (s): Beverley Naidoo Illustrator: Title: Baba’s Gift ISBN: 0140568743 Publisher: Puffin Books Date of publication: March 4, 2004 Number of pages: 32 pages Recommended/listed price: $15.50