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kingpockets's review against another edition
I just wasn't invested enough to finish this one unfortnately.
drmbumpy's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. Nhamo is a strong character that survives much hardship. The story is amusing, interesting, and beautiful.
tinky47's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
librarygrrl's review against another edition
4.0
Nhambo is a young African girl who lives in a primitive village in the early 1980's. The book follows her journey, both a geographical journey as well her journey from childhood into womanhood. This book is a YA book, probably best for ages 12-14. I particularly liked the abundance of African folk tales and the deep look into Nhambo's pagan beliefs. It's a well written book and quite enjoyable.
catherine_the_greatest's review against another edition
4.0
You know how [b:Hatchet|50|Hatchet (Brian's Saga, #1)|Gary Paulsen|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1385297074l/50._SX50_.jpg|1158125] is about a boy who has to survive in the wilds of Canada? A Girl Named Disaster is kind of like that, except instead of a 13-year-old boy from NYC, it's about an approximately 13-year-old girl from Mozambique. While Brian is angsty because his parents are divorced and he has to spend the summer in Canada with his dad, Nhamo doesn't have parents, because her father took off before she was born and her mother was killed by a leopard when she was a toddler. Instead, she's been raised by her aunt, who always hated her mom and treats Nhamo like a slave. Only Nhamo's grandmother actually cares about her. When the family decides to marry Nhamo into a life of even more misery, her grandmother encourages her to run away to find her father's family.
My son is reading this book as part of his 7th grade language arts curriculum, along with a social studies unit on modern Africa. I've seen several comments that this is a "girl book," because the protagonist is female and there's mention of menstruation. (Deep breath.) This is a book that everyone can enjoy, that places the reader in the shoes (actually, Nhamo doesn't have shoes through most of the book) of someone from another part of the world, a completely different culture. Although it's set in 1981, after Mozambique won their independence from Portugal, Nhamo's family lives much the same way as their ancestors did a hundred years before that. It's both an immersive learning experience and an entertaining read.
Edit: Son #2 read this as an advanced 6th grader and also really enjoyed it, reinforcing my statement that this book is not. just. for. girls.
My son is reading this book as part of his 7th grade language arts curriculum, along with a social studies unit on modern Africa. I've seen several comments that this is a "girl book," because the protagonist is female and there's mention of menstruation. (Deep breath.) This is a book that everyone can enjoy, that places the reader in the shoes (actually, Nhamo doesn't have shoes through most of the book) of someone from another part of the world, a completely different culture. Although it's set in 1981, after Mozambique won their independence from Portugal, Nhamo's family lives much the same way as their ancestors did a hundred years before that. It's both an immersive learning experience and an entertaining read.
Edit: Son #2 read this as an advanced 6th grader and also really enjoyed it, reinforcing my statement that this book is not. just. for. girls.
matlock's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
kristin_hayward19's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed the idea of this book and much of the storyline. However, there were parts that drug on and the story got a little repetitive. But, it was worth the read.
bookdragon11's review against another edition
5.0
Beautiful storytelling. This was a heart-wrenching read. I read this as a child and absolutely loved it. I highly recommend this book.
koda330's review against another edition
4.0
NANCY FARMER
Although it doesn't look like a long book, A Girl Named Disaster takes you through Nhamo's life in Mozambique, her long and arduous journey to Zimbabwe, and her life once she finally finds the family of her father. It is a story of tradition, spirituality, love, adventure, and even betrayal. I really enjoyed it because I think Nancy Farmer did a great job of integrating African culture into the text while making it easy for westerners to understand and connect with.
Although it doesn't look like a long book, A Girl Named Disaster takes you through Nhamo's life in Mozambique, her long and arduous journey to Zimbabwe, and her life once she finally finds the family of her father. It is a story of tradition, spirituality, love, adventure, and even betrayal. I really enjoyed it because I think Nancy Farmer did a great job of integrating African culture into the text while making it easy for westerners to understand and connect with.