The Rainbow Troops  is a book I grow up with. I read it since junior high school. I know it’s 2 years late since it was been published but never to late to read a great book. Why do I love the story so much? It’s just because the stories. It told you  Indonesian cultures, a pursuit of education, and social issues. Indonesia may have big cities but in the other hand, most of the cities in Indonesia are rural.  Moreover, education is not important as nowadays. The majority of people were illiterate. A school was just for wealthy. Through this novel, we were told to look at different points of view from 10 children.

There was a dilapidated school, SD Muhammadiyah (Muhammadiyah Elementary school). The Government told the headteacher, the school would be closed if student less than 10. The teachers and headteacher were waiting for students. But they just got 9 students. At the crucial time, someone came up. The hero named Harun. Finally, they could continue the teaching-learning activities. Bu Mus, the teacher of 10 students called them 'The Rainbow Troops' because they all adore rainbow. Who are these 10 kids? They are Ikal, Lintang, Sahara, Mahar, A Kiong, Syahdan, Kucai, Borek, Trapani, and also Harun. 

Lintang is very rational, Mahar is a daydreamer. Mahar was easily inspired by just about anything. Like Lintang, Mahar also was a true genius—just a different kind of genius. This kind of genius isn’t easily understood by most people and is rarely considered 'intelligent' by ordinary people’s standards. Sahara is one and the only girl in this gang, she is very independent.  A Kiong is a Chinese little guy, he is not handsome in the face but heart. Syahdan is more like Joy in Inside Out movie. Kucai is their class leader. Borek is typically a macho man who obsessed with his muscles. Trapani is a handsome and smart kid, he loves his mother the most. Harun is a nice guy, even though he has mental retardation, it won't interfere him to study. The last is Ikal. Ikal is our main character in this novel. He is not as brilliant as Lintang but he is not bad. He comes second after Lintang.

Hirata writes touchingly about hope, even in the midst of numbing poverty, and the tragedy of wasted talent. The book’s most compelling character is the brilliant Lintang, the son of an illiterate fisherman whose passion for school sees him cycling an 80-kilometer round-trip journey every day, past crocodile-infested swamps. Despite his obvious mathematical genius, Lintang is forced to give up his education and take over the role as his family’s breadwinner when his father dies in an accident. (This part is the most emotional, my brother and I were crying reading it).

Like one of Glee's song, "don't stop believing."

Hope your dreams come true pals and have a great holiday too! :)