A breathtaking account of one girl's determination to triumph over a devastating historical event. In Uganda in 1972, President Idi Amin, also known as the Last King of Scotland, announces that foreign Indians must be "weeded" out of Uganda in ninety days. Fifteen-year-old Sabine's life is changed forever. The president's message, broadcast on the radio every day, becomes Sabine's "countdown monster," and it follows her through days of terror. Sabine's father is convinced that, as Ugandan citizens, their family will be unaffected, but her mother insists it's too dangerous to stay. When her beloved uncle disappears and her best friend abandons her, Sabine begins to understand her mother's fears. She becomes desperate to leave, but Bapa, her grandfather, refuses to accompany her. How can she leave him, and where will her family go to begin a new life?

 

This book is the winner of numerous awards. It was recognised by the Georgia Children's Book Award. It was recognised by the Heartland Award. It also was recognised by the Manitoba Young Readers Choice Award. It was recognised in the Teen category by the Rhode Island Book Awards. Also it was recognised by the Governor General's Literary Award.

This book has been graded for interest at 6-9 years.

There are 214 pages in this book. This book was published 2008 by Front Street Inc .

Shenaaz Nanji was born in Kenya and grew up among a fusion of cultures: Bantu-Swahili, Arabic, and East Indian. She was in Uganda when Idi Amin seized power. Her family became refugees. She graduated from a university in Kenya and lived in the United States for a time. A graduate of the Vermont College MFA Program in Writing for Children and Young Adults, she now lives in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.