How Dare the Sun Rise: Memoirs of a War Child, 2017, Sandra Uwiringiyimana , Abigail Pesta *****

How Dare the Sun Rise is much more than a memoir, it’s a powerful coming-of-age story that follows the journey of Sandra Uwiringiyimana, a Congolese girl from the Banyamulenge tribe, as she navigates unthinkable tragedy, survival, and transformation.

The book opens with warm recollections of Sandra’s early childhood in Congo. Despite growing up in a region marked by deep-rooted conflict, her memories are filled with joy, family, and a sense of belonging. But everything changes when war breaks out. Forced to flee their home, Sandra and her family seek refuge in Gatumba, a camp in neighboring Burundi. What they hoped would be a safe haven becomes the site of a horrific massacre that claims the life of her beloved younger sister, Deborah.

This traumatic event sets off a chain of circumstances that eventually brings Sandra and her family to the United States. She was only 11 or 12 at the time, and what follows is a deeply personal account of a refugee family trying to adjust to a completely new world, one filled with

opportunities, but also confusion, grief, and a different kind of struggle.

What makes this book stand out is Sandra’s voice, honest, brave, and resilient. I found myself constantly rooting for her. Despite everything she’s been through, she doesn’t just survive; she becomes an advocate, a voice for those who have been silenced. She refuses to let her story or the stories of others like her be forgotten. Through activism and speaking out, she brings hope and demands justice.

This was an easy and deeply moving read. I felt connected to Sandra’s journey, and inspired by her strength. I highly recommend How Dare the Sun Rise to young readers. it’s a story of resilience, identity, and the fight for justice that will stay with you long after you turn the last page.