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lost_goddess's review
emotional
informative
inspiring
4.0
Great MG fiction. I hope my students not only like the story, but notice the beautiful language in it.
carolineinthelibrary's review against another edition
5.0
This was a really beautiful book of poetry, mostly centered around overcoming adversity and remaining hopeful in the face of hardship. I think this is a really important story to share with young readers, especially to illustrate the abject poverty and hardships many people in our world have to struggle with.
sheilaf9's review against another edition
5.0
Beautifully written in prose, this story is of hope, courage, dreams and family. The author builds strong connections with the characters. Would make a great read aloud for upper elementary grades.
aoosterwyk's review against another edition
5.0
A terrific choice for book clubs! This story has many discussion points, but it reads as true. The events are so foreign to the lives of kids in the US, but touch on what's really important: family and love, health, jobs, food security, education, friendship, trust, etc. I would recommend this for any middle school looking for a one school, one book choice.
A bonus is the prose style delivery. Easy to manage and hard to put down. It would also be easy to provide media/primary sources for the events in this story.
A bonus is the prose style delivery. Easy to manage and hard to put down. It would also be easy to provide media/primary sources for the events in this story.
kamckim's review against another edition
3.0
This is a verse novel that tells an important story about the 2010 Haiti earthquake from the point of view of Seraphina, a rural girl whose family lives in poverty, although they aren't as poor as many of their friends because Seraphina's father has a good job in the city and the family is blessed with a good garden from which they sell their produce. It's Serafina's dream to go to school and become a doctor. Her maman, who is filled with sadness and practicality, isn't easily persuaded. First, a flood and then her infant brother's sickness threaten Serafina's dream. When she finally goes to school, it's not what she expected. And then the earthquake hits, bringing both sorrow and hope.
kayharkness's review against another edition
4.0
Very quick read.
Very sad short story written in verse about families living in poverty in Haiti under French rule.
Sera is desperate to attend school so she can become a doctor but between her home being washed away and her new brother being born times are tougher than ever.
My heart broke for her throughout the whole story especially in the families moments of complete hope and faith that things would work out.
It had open ended closure that is up for interpretation.
Do they find their family again? Do they reach the baby in time for him to have medication? Can she afford to replace her uniform and return to school? Does Julie Marie remain as her sister in her parents absence? Will they shadow the town doctor?
I chose to believe it was left open so that I can imagine a happy family reunion and things begin to look up!
Very sad short story written in verse about families living in poverty in Haiti under French rule.
Sera is desperate to attend school so she can become a doctor but between her home being washed away and her new brother being born times are tougher than ever.
My heart broke for her throughout the whole story especially in the families moments of complete hope and faith that things would work out.
It had open ended closure that is up for interpretation.
Do they find their family again? Do they reach the baby in time for him to have medication? Can she afford to replace her uniform and return to school? Does Julie Marie remain as her sister in her parents absence? Will they shadow the town doctor?
I chose to believe it was left open so that I can imagine a happy family reunion and things begin to look up!
listen_learn's review against another edition
4.0
I was waiting to read this for a long time, and once I got to it I was not disappointed.
The story follows Serafina, a Haitian girl who longs to go to school to be a doctor. With the help of her supportive family, she faces many formidable challenges. Still, even with their support, not everything turns out perfect.
I felt Burg struck the difficult balance in protraying knotty sitations realitistically without making the story too sad or saccharine. Her poetry often has more of a prose feel, but there were particular lines and metaphors that stuck with me and touched my heart.
Reommended for those who like novels in verse, spunky girls who are still respectful and use their minds, or stories of hope and renewal.
The story follows Serafina, a Haitian girl who longs to go to school to be a doctor. With the help of her supportive family, she faces many formidable challenges. Still, even with their support, not everything turns out perfect.
I felt Burg struck the difficult balance in protraying knotty sitations realitistically without making the story too sad or saccharine. Her poetry often has more of a prose feel, but there were particular lines and metaphors that stuck with me and touched my heart.
Reommended for those who like novels in verse, spunky girls who are still respectful and use their minds, or stories of hope and renewal.
aprillikesbooks's review against another edition
5.0
This book was incredible. One to come back to again and to savor. A powerful story about the strength of love.
carnisht's review against another edition
4.0
Read more at yalitreader.wordpress.com!
Serafina, a young girl in Haiti, is always working hard to help her family survive and to make ends meet in their impoverished community. Serafina has higher aspirations than this, though. She wants to go to school. She wants to get an education and become a doctor, just like Dr. Solaine. All of these dreams are shaken, however, by a massive earthquake that renders her village and the majority of her countryside obsolete. Serafina must now quickly cope with her new surroundings, though, in order to save her baby brother.
Serafina, a young girl in Haiti, is always working hard to help her family survive and to make ends meet in their impoverished community. Serafina has higher aspirations than this, though. She wants to go to school. She wants to get an education and become a doctor, just like Dr. Solaine. All of these dreams are shaken, however, by a massive earthquake that renders her village and the majority of her countryside obsolete. Serafina must now quickly cope with her new surroundings, though, in order to save her baby brother.