Acknowledgements

Jude Dibia, who breathed new love and life into this book. Martin Reesink and Anyes Babillon for loving the book and loving me more. David Austin for the 5 a.m. phone calls and ever-present love. Adrian Harewood for the many phone messages reminding me you were there. Amma Asante, for refusing to let me give up. Chris Abani for your love and time when I most needed it. Zukiswa Wanner and Thando Mgqolozana for reading and insisting it really was that good. My sister Lopang, for making me laugh when I thought I no longer had it in me. My sister Tumelo, for the 2 a.m. phone calls, the words of wisdom, the trips to come and be by my side, the relentless love.

Motsumi and Siamela for beautiful, overwhelming, glorious, frightening, endless love.

KAGISO LESEGO MOLOPE was born and educated in South Africa. Her first novel, Dancing in the Dust (Mawenzi House) was on the IBBY (International Board on Books for Young People) Honour List for 2006. Her second novel, The Mending Season, was chosen to be on the school curriculum in South Africa. Her third novel, This Book Betrays My Brother, was awarded the Percy Fitzpatrick Prize by the English Academy of Southern Africa, where it was first published. She lives in Ottawa.