Lucille Abendanon
THE SONGBIRD AND THE RAMBUTAN TREE
OUT NOW!
DESCRIPTION
Inspired by true events, The Songbird and the Rambutan Tree is a mesmerizing novel of belonging, hope and survival. Set in Indonesia, this is World War Two as you’ve never seen it before.
Batavia, Dutch East Indies, 1942.
Emmy has the voice of an angel but hasn’t sung a note since a family tragedy. With war looming, her father plans to ship her off to a singing school in England for safety. But all Emmy wants to do is stay in Batavia with her best friend, Bakti, even if it means putting up with her snooty classmate, Violet. Then the Japanese army invades—and as war erupts in the Dutch East Indies, Emmy’s world falls apart.
When her own actions sabotage her chance to evacuate the island, Emmy is captured and confined in the Tjideng prisoner-of-war camp with other women and children. Separated from her family and friends, and silenced by her grief, Emmy will need all her strength to survive the war, find her voice, and reclaim her freedom.
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ADVANCE PRAISE for Songbird
“This is an astonishingly good book. I love the sounds and smells of Emmy’s life in the exotic Dutch East Indies, and I love her strength, passion, and determination facing the evils of a prisoner-of-war camp. I liked it even more when I found it was based on an extraordinary true story. The book is difficult, stunning, and compelling. You’ve got to read it!” — Karen Cushman, Newbery Medal winner and author of The Midwife’s Apprentice
“The Songbird and the Rambutan Tree is a triumph of a debut! It is so beautifully written and evocative, while also being quite a page turner. The rooting in the author’s family history is compelling, providing a less-covered perspective on World War II. The way this story negotiates race, privilege and the complex nuance of cultural identity is thoughtful and challenges white readers to question the unjust systems we’re knowingly and unknowingly a part of. This book is everything I want from historical fiction: shedding light on less-told stories from the past, while also speaking to our current world. Readers—especially third culture and multicultural kids—will resonate with Emmy and her journey to find her voice and what it means to “belong to many places.” — Meg Eden Kuyatt, author of Good Different
“Inspired by an unbelievable real person, THE SONGBIRD AND THE RAMBUTAN TREE is a stunning and compelling story of hope in the midst of despair. Abendanon’s rich descriptions will have kids pulling out maps to learn more about the world, and the action-packed sequences and powerful emotions will keep their attention as they follow Emmy’s brave journey through an internment camp of WW2. THE SONGBIRD AND THE RAMBUTAN TREE introduces young readers to the darkness of war, the promise of light, and the spirit of a girl who won’t quit. I was so moved by Emmy’s story, and I’m excited it will be accessible to young readers.” — Catherine Arguelles, author of Flip Turns
“The Songbird and the Rambutan Tree is a powerful story of finding courage and hope amid the brutality of war. Abendanon has shed light on a heartbreaking piece of history that will have young readers wanting to learn more long after finishing the book. Bravo!” — Lisa Schmid, author of Ollie Oxley and the Ghost: The Search for Lost Gold
“The Songbird and the Rambutan Tree is a beautifully written, immersive story that takes the reader on a young girl’s journey through World War II in the Dutch East Indies. After losing her mother, Emmy is determined not to have anything else change, and she sabotages her opportunity to evacuate to a music school in England following the Japanese invasion. She must then go to a prisoner-of-war camp. In spite of the terrible conditions, Emmy finds solace in nature’s beauty as well as in friendship. She also discovers that she is much stronger and braver than she knew. The Songbird and the Rambutan Tree is one of those remarkable books where the writing is so lovely that I wanted to slow down and savor every word, but the story is so compelling that I had to turn the pages quickly to see what would happen next. This novel is a true gem and one that will stay with me for a very long time.” —Sydney Dunlap, author of It Happened on Saturday
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