The other side of dreams (2017) Parents Guide: Is the book OK for kids?

There is no sexual content in this book. Romance and physical intimacy are completely absent as the focus remains strictly on Sade and Femi’s survival and their strong family bond. The story is a realistic account of political refugees and does not introduce subplots regarding dating or puberty-related attraction. Even in the school setting where the children are bullied, the conflict is purely social and physical rather than sexual. This keeps the narrative tightly focused on the trauma of migration and the hope…

The book opens with a traumatic drive-by shooting in Chapter 1 where the children's mother is killed. While not overly graphic, the presence of blood and the shock of the event are described in a way that emphasizes the children's immediate terror. Throughout the novel, Femi and Sade face systemic violence and peer-to-peer aggression, such as Marcia and Donna intimidating Sade at school. There is a constant underlying threat of state-sponsored violence from the Nigerian regime back home. Psychological violence…

Language is very mild and appropriate for the target middle-grade audience. There are occasional insults from bullies and the foster brother Kevin, who uses terms like 'stupid,' 'liar,' or 'thief' to disparage the protagonists. There is no use of profanity or racial slurs, though the xenophobic attitudes of some characters are clearly communicated through their tone and exclusion of the children. The dialogue reflects the stressful reality of the characters' lives without relying on strong language. Reading level…

There are no depictions of illegal drug use or significant alcohol consumption by the main characters or in their immediate environments. The story takes place in domestic settings, refugee transit, and school environments where such substances are absent. Characters remain clear-headed as they navigate the complexities of seeking asylum in London. The author chooses to focus on the emotional and legal struggles of the Solaja family rather than themes of substance abuse. This lack of substance use is consistent…

Heavy themes include political persecution, secondary trauma from witnessing a parent's murder, and the isolation of the refugee experience. The characters deal with intense fear, the threat of deportation, and the ethical dilemma of lying to protect loved ones. The story explores the corruption of government regimes and the silencing of journalists, as seen through Papa’s work. Grief is a major theme, particularly as Femi withdraws into silence after Mama's death. The struggle for identity in a foreign land and…