AustLit

'Malia, Ari and Ginger's three distinct voices are interwoven to tell the story of Ginger Juice, an orangutan kept captive in a cage, in this powerful and uplifting novel

'Malia has had a privileged upbringing in Indonesia, but since her Indonesian father died, her Canadian mother wants to return to her own family. Malia is determined to stay. Indonesia is her home, and she loves it. Besides, if she leaves, how can she continue to fight for her country's precious rainforests?

'Ari knows he is lucky to be going to school, even if it means an endless round of chores at his uncle's restaurant. Back in his home village, he dreamed about getting a chance like this. But he's horribly worried about Ginger Juice, his uncle's orangutan. The too-small cage where she lives is clearly hurting her body and her mind, but where else can she go? The rainforest where she was born is a palm oil plantation now.

'Berani spins together three perspectives: Malia, who is prepared to risk anything for her activism, Ari, who knows the right path but fears what it will cost, and Ginger Juice, the caged orangutan who still remembers the forest and her mother. The choices the young people make will have consequences for themselves, for Ginger Juice, and for others, if they are brave enough—or reckless enough—to choose. For ages 8-12.'  (Publication summary)