My Sweet Orange Tree is about a 5-year old Zeze who lives in a suburb close to Rio De Janeiro. The story happens in 1920s and this book is the English translation of the Brazilian version.

It was difficult to be interested in the story of Zeze because I did not understand what was the problem of Zeze? Is it poverty or his mischievous nature or his family who abused him? In the end, I understood that Zeze’s problems were all of the above. He longed to be accepted and loved by his family and his neighbors. He craved for their appreciation and when people did not devote him time and attention, he became mischievous. His friends were few, a man he called Portuga, his school teacher, the orange tree that spoke with him and one of his sisters. In the end, I cried for Zeze, at how circumstances ripped apart his childish innocence.

Also, the novel introduces new characters without any introduction. The translator mentioned that this was the writing style of that era. On the whole, it is a good book that pulls you in only after 50% of the novel.

I received this ARC from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I had started this awhile back and couldn't get into it so I moved on. I'm so glad I came back to it and am still not sure why I couldn't get into it the first time. This story is beautifully told. It tells the story of five year old Zezé who is living in Brazil. He has been told his whole life that he has the devil in him, and despite teaching himself to read, and being beloved by his teacher, he believes it was the devil born inside him, wishing at Christmas for the Baby Jesus to be born inside him this time. He finds an unlikely ally in a man he affectionately nicknames Portuga, but even that relationship isn't without grief.

There will undoubtedly be parents who are uncomfortable with their children reading this book. Zezé sings songs with inappropriate language, as he does not know their meaning. He has thoughts of suicide, and the abuse he suffers is brutal. It's worth the read as an adult too, though, and one I hope finds a new audience with this new English translation.

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. I did not realize how old this book was when I selected it. It's a hard read in that it is quite emotional but it has many lessons that should help kids who read it.

I loved this book even thought when I requested it from Net Galley I thought it was a children's book. That'll teach me to slow down and read the whole thing. Set in the early 20th century it takes place in a small town in Brazil with a five year old narrator. He tells of his life, the trouble the causes - all very innocently - and the one really good friend that he makes. Some of the imagery was difficult for me, but that's certainly not the author's lack, more like mine. A very moving book.

My Sweet Orange Tree
by José Mauro de Vasconcelos

Candlewick Press

Candlewick

Children’s Fiction

Pub Date 09 Jul 2019

I am reviewing a copy of My Sweet Orange Tree through Candlewick Press and Netgalley:

Zeze wants to be a poet when he grows up, a poet who wears a bow tie. The precocious young boy entertained himself by playing clever pranks on the residents of his Rio De Janiero neighborhood. His parents and siblings punish him severely for this. With his Father out of work the beatings have gotten worse.

Zeze’s only solace comes from school, and the hours he secretly spends singing with a street musician and the refugee he finds with his precious magical orange tree. Finally making a real friend changes Zeze life opening him up to tenderness but also to wrenching Sorrow!

I give My Sweet Orange Tree five out of five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

A very interesting read. It's a little bit of a slow starter but a fab read once you get into it. Would recommend.