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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
This series has been so popular at my school. I had trouble finding one to read myself because they were nearly all checked out.
I remember hearing about the Tsunami on the news and it was interesting learning about the event through Tara's eyes. I feel like it gave a good representation of the event (with extra information at the end) for a younger audience. It showed the devastation but it a way that younger readers could understand and handle.
Popsugar reading challenge #24 A book you can read in one sitting
I remember hearing about the Tsunami on the news and it was interesting learning about the event through Tara's eyes. I feel like it gave a good representation of the event (with extra information at the end) for a younger audience. It showed the devastation but it a way that younger readers could understand and handle.
Popsugar reading challenge #24 A book you can read in one sitting
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
informative
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
adventurous
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
emotional
informative
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
While searching for books set in Thailand, I stumbled across this illustrated middle-grade story about a young girl and her mum who travel to Thailand to learn more about their heritage but get separated after an unexpected tsunami wipes out the small village where they are staying.
For a middle-grade, this was much more graphic and tense than I expected - it brilliantly captured the shock and struggle of being caught up in the waves and desperately trying to cling to safety. Tara was scared but her bravery shone through and it was incredible to see her practical side take over in an effort to stay alive. Readers of all ages will admire her strength and survival skills, not to mention her courage as she joins a group of rescuers in an attempt to find her mother.
My only criticism would be thatTara and her mother reunited very quickly and coincidentally - this felt a tad unrealistic and I would have liked to see Tara go on more of a journey, meeting and helping others along the way, before she found her.
For a small book though, it certainly packs a punch.
Rating breakdown
Plot/narrative - 4.2
Writing style/readability - 3.9
Characters - 3.8
Diverse themes - 4.3
Ending - 3.7
Overall - 4
For a middle-grade, this was much more graphic and tense than I expected - it brilliantly captured the shock and struggle of being caught up in the waves and desperately trying to cling to safety. Tara was scared but her bravery shone through and it was incredible to see her practical side take over in an effort to stay alive. Readers of all ages will admire her strength and survival skills, not to mention her courage as she joins a group of rescuers in an attempt to find her mother.
My only criticism would be that
For a small book though, it certainly packs a punch.
Rating breakdown
Plot/narrative - 4.2
Writing style/readability - 3.9
Characters - 3.8
Diverse themes - 4.3
Ending - 3.7
Overall - 4
Oh, easily my favorite of this series so far: The best written, so emotional, and I just loved Tara.
It's hard to pull something positive out of the tragedy of the 2004 tsunami that killed 250,000 people, but Cristina Oxtra manages to leave her characters with a sense of purpose and connection to the many other people who suffered in its aftermath. They become caretakers and fundraisers as part of trying to make sense of their own survival. She draws on her own family history of immigration from the Philippines when creating Tara and her mother's Thai back story -- grandparents who emigrated to the US, worked hard, did not pass the language down and have children who are just starting to explore their ancestors' country. Holds together well, tells a good story of identity and survival, leaves you wanting to know more -- great combination.