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kalliste's review against another edition
4.0
I'll always enjoy a book that is written from the perspective of multiple characters. Although, I do tend to prefer the same experience from different points of view this was also good with the same situation coming from completely differing backgrounds.
It was a great story, if a bit predictable (it was pretty obvious how this one was ending) but getting there was a nice journey.
The only disappointing part being that it doesn't end from the perspective of Abela. She had such a long and difficult journey and we never get to see how she feels in the end.
** I received a free e-copy of this book from Netgalley and Random House in return for an honest review. ***
It was a great story, if a bit predictable (it was pretty obvious how this one was ending) but getting there was a nice journey.
The only disappointing part being that it doesn't end from the perspective of Abela. She had such a long and difficult journey and we never get to see how she feels in the end.
** I received a free e-copy of this book from Netgalley and Random House in return for an honest review. ***
lattelibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
The Girl Who Saw Lions was such an incredibly impactful story that touched on so many serious topics. Middle grade literature never ceases to amaze me. This book tackles the tough topics of HIV/AIDS, child trafficking, adoption, and death.
Going between Abela and Rosa allowed for insight into two vastly different cultures, but cultures that do interact with each other in both social and institutional ways. This is, of course, not to mention the dialogue between the two about privilege, autonomy, and what it means to be or have family.
Doherty is a master of showing her readers what's going on--when I was with Abela, I felt like I was in Tanzania, and when I was with Rosa, I felt like I was in London. The individual struggles and strife became so real and apparent to me, and each time I got off of the metro, I couldn't wait until the next time I had to hop on to continue reading this. Overall, this is a truly poignant book that's completely deserving of a read.
Review cross-listed here!
Going between Abela and Rosa allowed for insight into two vastly different cultures, but cultures that do interact with each other in both social and institutional ways. This is, of course, not to mention the dialogue between the two about privilege, autonomy, and what it means to be or have family.
Doherty is a master of showing her readers what's going on--when I was with Abela, I felt like I was in Tanzania, and when I was with Rosa, I felt like I was in London. The individual struggles and strife became so real and apparent to me, and each time I got off of the metro, I couldn't wait until the next time I had to hop on to continue reading this. Overall, this is a truly poignant book that's completely deserving of a read.
Review cross-listed here!
veecaswell's review against another edition
4.0
This is a great story.
What I really liked from the start how the story is constructed, showing the two perspectives of the girls in the book. Abela and Rosa’s contrasting stories are throughout this book written perfectly, and how the writer threads similar themes through each girl’s story (for example, the starting chapter’s references to shadows) really show just how the characters tie but contrast.
This book quickly does become a page turner as the story begins to grow, particularly Abela’s story as her life quickly changes in this book. For both characters you see development as Rosa adapts to the idea of having a sister, but also you see Abela finally get the ending she deserves after going through so much.
A story that covers an array of social issues too through two great characters, The Girl Who Saw Lions is a book that puts an important focus on adoption, trafficking, AIDS and privilege (maybe the last less consciously) that no matter what age you are I think you would gain something from reading it.
Side note: The artwork for this edition is beautiful!
(I got an ARC from Netgalley for a review).
What I really liked from the start how the story is constructed, showing the two perspectives of the girls in the book. Abela and Rosa’s contrasting stories are throughout this book written perfectly, and how the writer threads similar themes through each girl’s story (for example, the starting chapter’s references to shadows) really show just how the characters tie but contrast.
This book quickly does become a page turner as the story begins to grow, particularly Abela’s story as her life quickly changes in this book. For both characters you see development as Rosa adapts to the idea of having a sister, but also you see Abela finally get the ending she deserves after going through so much.
A story that covers an array of social issues too through two great characters, The Girl Who Saw Lions is a book that puts an important focus on adoption, trafficking, AIDS and privilege (maybe the last less consciously) that no matter what age you are I think you would gain something from reading it.
Side note: The artwork for this edition is beautiful!
(I got an ARC from Netgalley for a review).
katec9999's review against another edition
4.0
This novel tells the story of two girls with very different lives. Abela lives in Tanzania on the continent of Africa, and is dealing with the death of her mother and baby sister from AIDS. Abela’s uncle has recently been kicked out of London for being there illegally, and he comes up with a plan to return that involves Abela possibly being sold as a domestic servant. [return] [return]Rosa lives in a suburb of London with her mother, who is considering adopting another child. The thought of sharing her mother, her home, and her life with another child who is a stranger makes Rosa very uncomfortable.[return][return]This book sensitively and honestly deals with some tough subject matters, but the intertwining of Abela’s and Rosa’s lives makes for a positive and uplifting story.
paperbackmo's review against another edition
2.0
It's about a quarter of the way through before the story actually gets moving. Quite a boring read for me.
rebeccadanielle's review against another edition
4.0
Another favourite of mine, this book is such a brilliant book. It's so real and heartbreaking as well as hopeful. It's a great book.
alstra's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-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
4.25
ailsareads's review against another edition
3.0
I wasn’t sure how I felt about this book at first - I thought it offered quite a reductive portrait of Tanzania, but further into the book it expanded this and showed the author really loved the country. My one real criticism is that Rosa is supposed to be thirteen, yet she has the emotional maturity of an eight year old. It was a little bit jarring, as were the constant changes in narrator mid-chapter. I did get sucked into it at the end though, and really grew to love Abela. I would recommend this book for children learning about Tanzania or immigration - it would stimulate some great classroom discussion about other countries, and how it would feel for a child moving to a new country. I just wish that Rosa was as young as she sounds!
(I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review)
(I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review)
ijustkindalikebooks's review against another edition
4.0
This is a great story.
What I really liked from the start how the story is constructed, showing the two perspectives of the girls in the book. Abela and Rosa’s contrasting stories are throughout this book written perfectly, and how the writer threads similar themes through each girl’s story (for example, the starting chapter’s references to shadows) really show just how the characters tie but contrast.
This book quickly does become a page turner as the story begins to grow, particularly Abela’s story as her life quickly changes in this book. For both characters you see development as Rosa adapts to the idea of having a sister, but also you see Abela finally get the ending she deserves after going through so much.
A story that covers an array of social issues too through two great characters, The Girl Who Saw Lions is a book that puts an important focus on adoption, trafficking, AIDS and privilege (maybe the last less consciously) that no matter what age you are I think you would gain something from reading it.
Side note: The artwork for this edition is beautiful!
(I got an ARC from Netgalley for a review).
What I really liked from the start how the story is constructed, showing the two perspectives of the girls in the book. Abela and Rosa’s contrasting stories are throughout this book written perfectly, and how the writer threads similar themes through each girl’s story (for example, the starting chapter’s references to shadows) really show just how the characters tie but contrast.
This book quickly does become a page turner as the story begins to grow, particularly Abela’s story as her life quickly changes in this book. For both characters you see development as Rosa adapts to the idea of having a sister, but also you see Abela finally get the ending she deserves after going through so much.
A story that covers an array of social issues too through two great characters, The Girl Who Saw Lions is a book that puts an important focus on adoption, trafficking, AIDS and privilege (maybe the last less consciously) that no matter what age you are I think you would gain something from reading it.
Side note: The artwork for this edition is beautiful!
(I got an ARC from Netgalley for a review).
shariq312's review against another edition
4.0
It's one of those books, you start and keep on reading until you devour it to the end. Not because of best-selling tag or somebody loved it so you would too, but because it's simple, uncomplicated and carries a smooth pace throughout.
Abela, a Tanzanian (a country in Africa) girl suffers from absolute poverty and loses her beloved parents one by one. This girl is hard-working and enjoys every moment of life, and combat the trauma for losing her father at an early age, and then her mother to HIV.
Rosa, on the other side, belongs to a stable family lives in northern England city called Sheffield. She loves to skate along with her mother. Her life becomes a bit numb when she listens to the urge of her mother to adopt a child, especially from Tanzania.
Abela moves to England through illicit immigration foster by her Uncle Thomas and her illegal wife Sussie. In order to get the British Passport Thomas performs this risk and gets nothing, but curse from intelligence forces when Abela innocently spills all the matter to one of the School's principal in England. Her matter gets worse when she receives a letter from Sussie who now faces the accuse. The letter is about the pardon from Sussie to mistreating Abela and the news of her Grandmother demise to Malaria.
Later on, Rosa agreed to have an adopted child and he was Anthony, a fluffy boy. He later finds his father and he moves away from Rosa's house. Now the fate of Abela was to meet them and it did happen in the end.
It was a straightforward read. I loved the cute character of Poor Abela who speaks broken English and I am sure you will love it too listening to the vague sentences she tries to speak the pain she hides. ■I SO LOVED THE COVER■
Abela, a Tanzanian (a country in Africa) girl suffers from absolute poverty and loses her beloved parents one by one. This girl is hard-working and enjoys every moment of life, and combat the trauma for losing her father at an early age, and then her mother to HIV.
Rosa, on the other side, belongs to a stable family lives in northern England city called Sheffield. She loves to skate along with her mother. Her life becomes a bit numb when she listens to the urge of her mother to adopt a child, especially from Tanzania.
Abela moves to England through illicit immigration foster by her Uncle Thomas and her illegal wife Sussie. In order to get the British Passport Thomas performs this risk and gets nothing, but curse from intelligence forces when Abela innocently spills all the matter to one of the School's principal in England. Her matter gets worse when she receives a letter from Sussie who now faces the accuse. The letter is about the pardon from Sussie to mistreating Abela and the news of her Grandmother demise to Malaria.
Later on, Rosa agreed to have an adopted child and he was Anthony, a fluffy boy. He later finds his father and he moves away from Rosa's house. Now the fate of Abela was to meet them and it did happen in the end.
It was a straightforward read. I loved the cute character of Poor Abela who speaks broken English and I am sure you will love it too listening to the vague sentences she tries to speak the pain she hides. ■I SO LOVED THE COVER■