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samanthas_bookshelf's review against another edition
5.0
Serafina has a secret dream. She wants to go to school and become a doctor with her best friend, Julie Marie. But in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, little money, never ending work, and her mother's worries stand in her way. Nothing is stronger than Serafina's resolve, not even an earthquake and heavy rains.
Having watched many news casts following the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, I was excited to read Serafina's story. Told in verse, Serafina stays strong when everything seems to be going against her, showing anything is possible if you have hope.
Having watched many news casts following the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, I was excited to read Serafina's story. Told in verse, Serafina stays strong when everything seems to be going against her, showing anything is possible if you have hope.
backonthealex's review against another edition
4.0
Living in abject poverty in Haiti, 11 year old Serafina makes a secret promise to her deceased little brother Pierre that she will someday go to school and become a healer so that she can save little babies like him. She wants to be just like her hero Antoinette Solaine, the healer who tried to save Pierre.
The only problem is that Serafina has never been to school and her parents can't afford to buy the necessary uniform to send her. And it isn't just the money. Her family needs Serafina's help to get water for them several times a day, to collect wood and charcoal so they can cook, to sweep their makeshift home, and anything else a young girl can do for her parents and grandmother, Gogo.
But Serafina comes up with a plan and presents it to her father on their way to Port-au-Prince for flag days events. He tells her to talk to her mother about her plan, but before that can happen, the rainy season arrives and a flood sweeps Serafina's home, village and even some neighbors away.
Moving away to higher ground, they slowly rebuilt their home using pieces of metal and wood that Serafina's father finds and brings home. And he even brings seeds for Serafina and Gogo to plant herbs and vegetables to sell in the market and make money for a school uniform.
And finally the day comes when Serafina gets her new school uniform and begins school. But then the earthquake of 2010 happens and everything changes again. It looks like Serafina's dream of becoming a doctor may have become a victim of this terrible disaster.
Serafina's Promise is a lovely story written in free verse, which seems so right for a girl who speaks in very melodic sounding Haitian Creole. In fact, the novel is sprinkled with words and phrases in Haitian Creole to give the reader some sense of what it sounds like, along with a pronunciation guide and glossary. And perhaps because I have heard Haitian Creole all my life, I didn't have a problem placing the geographic location of the novel as many seem to have had. The time of the novel just as confusing to me as it was to others, until that terrible earthquake hit. Both of these are drawbacks to an otherwise lovely story.
But of course Serafina's Promise isn't about current events, but how those events beyond our control bring out the true person that we are. And for Serafina, just 11, that is a strong, generous, loving, caring person. Since the story is told by Serafina, we are privileged to know what exactly what she is thinking at all times. Though poverty surrounds Serafina and her family, she never slips into self-pity. Instead, she shows us what a loving family she has, how they struggle on despite despair, disaster and disappointment.
Warm and uplifting, you will root for Serafina from start to finish. Serafina's Promise is an inspiring novel not to be missed.
This book is recommended for readers age 9+
This book was borrowed from a friend.
This review was originally posted at Randomly Reading
The only problem is that Serafina has never been to school and her parents can't afford to buy the necessary uniform to send her. And it isn't just the money. Her family needs Serafina's help to get water for them several times a day, to collect wood and charcoal so they can cook, to sweep their makeshift home, and anything else a young girl can do for her parents and grandmother, Gogo.
But Serafina comes up with a plan and presents it to her father on their way to Port-au-Prince for flag days events. He tells her to talk to her mother about her plan, but before that can happen, the rainy season arrives and a flood sweeps Serafina's home, village and even some neighbors away.
Moving away to higher ground, they slowly rebuilt their home using pieces of metal and wood that Serafina's father finds and brings home. And he even brings seeds for Serafina and Gogo to plant herbs and vegetables to sell in the market and make money for a school uniform.
And finally the day comes when Serafina gets her new school uniform and begins school. But then the earthquake of 2010 happens and everything changes again. It looks like Serafina's dream of becoming a doctor may have become a victim of this terrible disaster.
Serafina's Promise is a lovely story written in free verse, which seems so right for a girl who speaks in very melodic sounding Haitian Creole. In fact, the novel is sprinkled with words and phrases in Haitian Creole to give the reader some sense of what it sounds like, along with a pronunciation guide and glossary. And perhaps because I have heard Haitian Creole all my life, I didn't have a problem placing the geographic location of the novel as many seem to have had. The time of the novel just as confusing to me as it was to others, until that terrible earthquake hit. Both of these are drawbacks to an otherwise lovely story.
But of course Serafina's Promise isn't about current events, but how those events beyond our control bring out the true person that we are. And for Serafina, just 11, that is a strong, generous, loving, caring person. Since the story is told by Serafina, we are privileged to know what exactly what she is thinking at all times. Though poverty surrounds Serafina and her family, she never slips into self-pity. Instead, she shows us what a loving family she has, how they struggle on despite despair, disaster and disappointment.
Warm and uplifting, you will root for Serafina from start to finish. Serafina's Promise is an inspiring novel not to be missed.
This book is recommended for readers age 9+
This book was borrowed from a friend.
This review was originally posted at Randomly Reading
soulfulsin's review against another edition
1.0
Sssh...DNF. It's too similar to The Red Pencil and I can't take any more poetry books.
afro75's review against another edition
4.0
Serafina is growing up in Haiti and longs to go to school and be a doctor. This interest is sparked by the death of her baby brother and her family's interaction with a haitian female doctor. Seeing the docotr's ability to heal give Serafina the hutzpah to ask to go to school. The author efectively combines the elements of tenancity, kindness, and courage in Serafina's character. This story is an excellent read for children seeking to learn more about other cultures.
kevinhendricks's review against another edition
4.0
A story of a girl in Haiti who wants to become a doctor but has to overcome poverty and natural disasters. Written in free verse, it's a realistic glimpse into the reality of life in Haiti.
wordnerd153's review against another edition
4.0
Beautifully written novel in verse told from the POV of an 11-year old girl living in poverty in Haiti. Her world is rocked by both a flood and an earthquake and she still manages to see hope in the world and hold fast to her dreams.
vasiljul000's review against another edition
5.0
Serafina is a dreamer. She wants to go to school, to be a doctor— but these dreams seem impossible while she lives in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Her days are filled with chores and responsibilities. After already witnessing a multitude of grief and tragedy, Serafina wonders how she will ever achieve her dreams. Told in first-person point of view, Serafina takes you along with her as she overcomes the obstacles life throws at her. This book is woven with Haitian history, culture and Creole phrases.
line_so_fine's review against another edition
4.0
A novel in verse can be a great way to convey a lot of information to readers who need fewer words. This one takes place in Haiti around the time of the 2010 earthquake. Visceral enough to describe the event, but not too harshly told for sensitive young readers.
cweichel's review against another edition
4.0
I'm going to start off by telling you that this is a beautifully written book. I'm a bit of a sucker for verse anyway. It seems like people can pack such a wallop into a few words using this format. This book is no exception.
"What good is being brave
if being brave gets you killed
Which is better,
to tell the truth and die,
or to give the bad people
what they want and live?"
"I wonder what hunger is like
without a family
to fill the emptiness."
11 year old Serafina is an ordinary kid with a big dream. She wants to go to school to become a doctor. While their family is rich in love, they work hard just to survive. Serafina must stay home to help her mother. Everyday she must trudge to get water for them. Then she has to gather wood and help with other numerous chores. Even if she didn't have to pitch in, they just don't have enough money for a school uniform and school fees.
Through this book the reader will learn something of Haiti.
that it was the first free black country
that in recent history people have endured both flood and earthquake
that poverty results in malnutrition which leads to infant mortality
Ann E. Burg, the author, is a white woman who has never been to Haiti. In the acknowledgment section she notes working with the Haitian People's Support Project as well as thanking the librarians who helped her with her research. I'm still left with these questions - Is it appropriate for a white woman to write the story of a black girl who lives in a country she has never been to? Where does the profit from this book go? If it goes to support schools and learning conditions in Haiti, then I will be more likely to let go of my discomfort.
Irrespective of my quibbles, I plan to read much more of Ann E. Burg's work. This is an excellent book that will lend itself to all kinds of conversation. Perhaps the issue of cultural appropriation will be one of them.
If you are interested in Haitian history I recommend you read In Darkness by Nick Lake.
from my blog at http://dickenslibrary.blogspot.ca
"What good is being brave
if being brave gets you killed
Which is better,
to tell the truth and die,
or to give the bad people
what they want and live?"
"I wonder what hunger is like
without a family
to fill the emptiness."
11 year old Serafina is an ordinary kid with a big dream. She wants to go to school to become a doctor. While their family is rich in love, they work hard just to survive. Serafina must stay home to help her mother. Everyday she must trudge to get water for them. Then she has to gather wood and help with other numerous chores. Even if she didn't have to pitch in, they just don't have enough money for a school uniform and school fees.
Through this book the reader will learn something of Haiti.
that it was the first free black country
that in recent history people have endured both flood and earthquake
that poverty results in malnutrition which leads to infant mortality
Ann E. Burg, the author, is a white woman who has never been to Haiti. In the acknowledgment section she notes working with the Haitian People's Support Project as well as thanking the librarians who helped her with her research. I'm still left with these questions - Is it appropriate for a white woman to write the story of a black girl who lives in a country she has never been to? Where does the profit from this book go? If it goes to support schools and learning conditions in Haiti, then I will be more likely to let go of my discomfort.
Irrespective of my quibbles, I plan to read much more of Ann E. Burg's work. This is an excellent book that will lend itself to all kinds of conversation. Perhaps the issue of cultural appropriation will be one of them.
If you are interested in Haitian history I recommend you read In Darkness by Nick Lake.
from my blog at http://dickenslibrary.blogspot.ca