My SWEET ORANGE TREE - JOSE MAUNO DE VASCONCELOS

Zeze is a blindingly precocious 5-year-old boy often known as the naughtiest “troublemaker” of the town. His misdeeds are meant simply for his entertainment and his attempt to get attention from his family and friends, but his poor family cannot give him the love he craves. He gets beaten, abused, and teased at school but his curious mind and his golden heart remains forever. His only true friend being his Sweet Orange Tree, Pinky. He can tell Pinky anything - all his secrets, his wild pranks and interesting stories. Pinky is always there for him as reliable as the sun rising and the moon descending behind the clouds. But that is until he meets Portuga, the richest man in town. He tries to ride on the bumper of Manoel Valadares, "Portuga", but is caught and spanked. Zeze feels humiliated and seeks revenge, however Portuga ends up understanding Zeze and shares his world of fantasies and a new friendship is formed.
   To Zeze, Portuga is not only a friend but the caring father figure he needs.To Portuga, Zeze is a source of inspiration and the light in his otherwise mundane life. Zeze would almost live for Portuga, he would look forward to every time they would meet or take a ride in his car. He would eve forget about the poverty drenched city he lives in.    
    This book is beautifully written with believable characters and vivid descriptions and I would recommend it for children aged between 11-14. This is definitely a book you should put on your Christmas List!

---