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bookishblond's review against another edition
4.0
The Booklist review on the dust jacket says it all: "The statistics of the millions infected with HIV/AIDS in southern Africa find a human face in this gripping story..."
tubz99's review against another edition
4.0
Hard book for me to read due to the sensitive topics. Especially makes me sad that people like Chanda really do exist in this world.
cieralegue's review against another edition
it was a very sad book and read it for an english class. It was written very well though.
kricketa's review against another edition
3.0
in a fictional african country, people are dropping dead right left and center. one was chanda's step-father. then her best friends' parents. then her little sister. then her NEW step-father. but the families always cover up the truth, saying cancer or tuberculosis, when they actually mean AIDS. now chanda's mom is sick, but if chanda tells the truth she won't be able to get help for her.
certainly a heart-wrenching and gripping tale, one which sheds much-needed light on why AIDS is spreading so rampantly in some areas of the world...so forgive me if i say that chanda is a little...boring? she mentions wanting to get a scholarship to college so she can grow up and be an important career-person, but mostly she runs around taking care of everyone and being a brave little toaster and eventually has to neglect her schoolwork. and does she complain? noooo. i like my heroines a little more disobedient and lively. but still...read this if you're in the mood for a weepie funk.
certainly a heart-wrenching and gripping tale, one which sheds much-needed light on why AIDS is spreading so rampantly in some areas of the world...so forgive me if i say that chanda is a little...boring? she mentions wanting to get a scholarship to college so she can grow up and be an important career-person, but mostly she runs around taking care of everyone and being a brave little toaster and eventually has to neglect her schoolwork. and does she complain? noooo. i like my heroines a little more disobedient and lively. but still...read this if you're in the mood for a weepie funk.
pagesofpins's review against another edition
5.0
This book does a remarkable job with establishing an unfamiliar place and mindset, and it crystal clear in its message. Though I wouldn't hesitate to hand it to a teen, I think some teens will be disinterested in reading a book about HIV/AIDs.
The author did a wonderful job of writing dynamic characters, people capable of both kindness and cruelty, intention and regret. I feel like I can see the small African villages he write about, including the silence and shame surrounding AIDS.
Sixteen-year-old Chanda is struggling with the death of her young baby sister, doubts about God, conflicts with her best friend over the choices she makes, memories of molestation by her mother's ex-boyfriend, and the alcoholism of her current stepfather. Her mother and her teachers are her cheerleaders, and she dreams of a scholarship and new life.
I love that Chanda's character has very believeable struggles/resentments/fears and also incredibly strong moments. I love when she stands up the quack doctor, when she refuses to turn her back on her best friend, and when she refuses to let her mother's family attribute her mother's sickness to God's wrath. A heartbreaking story, but an important one. An interesting cast of characters as well; in desperation or spite, they do terrible things, but are capable of great love and forgiveness as well.
Book Quote: “Where there is love there is life; where there is life there is hope.”
The author did a wonderful job of writing dynamic characters, people capable of both kindness and cruelty, intention and regret. I feel like I can see the small African villages he write about, including the silence and shame surrounding AIDS.
Sixteen-year-old Chanda is struggling with the death of her young baby sister, doubts about God, conflicts with her best friend over the choices she makes, memories of molestation by her mother's ex-boyfriend, and the alcoholism of her current stepfather. Her mother and her teachers are her cheerleaders, and she dreams of a scholarship and new life.
I love that Chanda's character has very believeable struggles/resentments/fears and also incredibly strong moments. I love when she stands up the quack doctor, when she refuses to turn her back on her best friend, and when she refuses to let her mother's family attribute her mother's sickness to God's wrath. A heartbreaking story, but an important one. An interesting cast of characters as well; in desperation or spite, they do terrible things, but are capable of great love and forgiveness as well.
Book Quote: “Where there is love there is life; where there is life there is hope.”
cherryswift's review against another edition
5.0
Okay so this is one of my favourite childhood books, it's kinda traumatic but it's beautifully written.
jemcam's review against another edition
4.0
One of the shortlisted titles for the CLA Young Adult Book Award in 2005.
sc104906's review against another edition
4.0
Set in Africa, Chanda’s Secret discusses the problems of the AIDS epidemic. Chanda watches as many people in her life die from the debilitating disease. She is also forced to choose between taking care of herself or her family. When society turns their backs on those afflicted with the disease, will Chanda give up on the ones she loves because of a disease. While AIDs may be taboo in America, in Africa the presence of the disease can lead to violence and downright inhumanity.
I think that this book spreads more fear about the disease. After reading the book, I was worried about contracting AIDs through avenues that I was not concerned with before. Thankfully, there are numerous websites about the transmission of AIDs, with myth-busting facts. One of those websites is https://www.aids.gov/hiv-aids-basics/hiv-aids-101/how-you-get-hiv-aids/
This book attempted to prove that AIDs carriers are just like everyone else, but I think that it actually worked against itself. I would not recommend this to a teen. It may work within a classroom, so long as there is structure and education alongside the text.
*I am now no longer afraid of contracting AIDS from the public bathroom. Concerned, but not afraid.
I think that this book spreads more fear about the disease. After reading the book, I was worried about contracting AIDs through avenues that I was not concerned with before. Thankfully, there are numerous websites about the transmission of AIDs, with myth-busting facts. One of those websites is https://www.aids.gov/hiv-aids-basics/hiv-aids-101/how-you-get-hiv-aids/
This book attempted to prove that AIDs carriers are just like everyone else, but I think that it actually worked against itself. I would not recommend this to a teen. It may work within a classroom, so long as there is structure and education alongside the text.
*I am now no longer afraid of contracting AIDS from the public bathroom. Concerned, but not afraid.
sharonskinner's review against another edition
4.0
This is an excellent book on a very tough topic. Well written and emotional, yet inspirational.
gabieowleyess's review against another edition
3.0
Okay so this book was for a science project. The last book that I read for this science project was a bowl of soggy boring oatmeal. So I didn't go into this one very positive. But it was actually really good. It didn't really have a lot of direct science in it but it did have science and it was really good. I found myself crying in the end. It is a really good story. I'm glad I chose it.