My Sweet Orange Tree by José Mauro de Vasconcelos
Published by Candlewick Press (MA) on July 9th 2019
ISBN: 1536203289
Pages: 272
Goodreads

My Sweet Orange Tree was first published in Brazil in 1968. It has been widely read and studied in Brazil, translated into 19 languages, and has been adapted to film, theater, and television. My Sweet Orange Tree is an autobiographical novel narrated by a grown man, reflecting on his childhood and told from the perspective of a five-year-old boy named Zezé. His mischievousness is treated with severity, and Zezé grows up believing he is worthless. Zezé takes solace in Sweetie, the sweet orange tree in his backyard, having conversations and adventures that take him away from the stark reality of his life. Zezé also forms a tender and unbreakable relationship with Manuel, who becomes the loving surrogate father Zezé craves. Alison Entrekin’s translator’s notes are valuable, explaining that Brazilian storytellers often present characters abruptly, without much information to place them. For a first read of this text, readers should be encouraged not to scrutinize the exact story or relation of characters that appear; rather, place the characters contextually within the storyline without overanalyzing. My Sweet Orange Tree speaks directly and graphically about Zezé’s physical abuse at the hands of his father and siblings, and there is language not intended for juvenile audiences. Although the cover illustration and subject matter (the life experiences of a five-year-old boy) seem to suggest this book for a younger readership, it is most appropriate for teens and adults. This heart-wrenching book is a must-read for any librarian or teacher who is interested in diversifying the voices in their collection, and representing classics from different cultures.

Reviewed by Jennifer Benham, Prince Memorial Library, Cumberland