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A Girl Named Disaster
  
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A Girl Named Disaster (Turtleback)

by Nancy Farmer (Author) "Crouched on a branch of a mukuyu tree,a girl tore open a speckled fruit ..." (more)
4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (73 customer reviews)

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Product Description

From Publishers Weekly

This 1997 Newbery Honor book, which is set in Africa, is both a survival story and a spiritual voyage. "[The heroine] is a stunning creation?while she serves as a fictional ambassador from a foreign culture, she is supremely human. An unforgettable work," said PW in a starred review. Ages 10-14.-- is a stunning creation?while she serves as a fictional ambassador from a foreign culture, she is supremely human. An unforgettable work," said PW in a starred review. Ages 10-14.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.


From School Library Journal

Grade 6-9?For Nhamo, an 11-year-old Shona girl living in Mozambique in 1981, life is filled with the traditions of her village people. When family circumstances, a ngozi (angry spirit), and a cholera epidemic force her into a horrible marriage, she flees with only her grandmother's blessings, some gold nuggets, and many survival skills. Still, what should have been a two-day boat trip across the border to her father's family in Zimbabwe spans a year. Daily conversations with spirits help to combat her loneliness and provide her with sage and practical advice. The most incredible leg of her journey is spent on an island where Nhamo closely observes and is warily accepted by a baboon family only to have one of them destroy her shelter and food supply. She makes mistakes, loses heart, and nearly dies of starvation. Even after she arrives in Zimbabwe where she lives with scientists before meeting her father's family, Nhamo must learn to survive in civilization and exorcise the demons that haunt her. A cast of characters, glossary, background information on South Africa and the Shona, and a bibliography ground this novel's details and culture. This story is humorous and heartwrenching, complex and multilayered, and the fortunate child who reads it will place Nhamo alongside Zia (Island of the Dolphins) and Julie (Julie of the Wolves). An engrossing and memorable saga.?Susan Pine, New York Public Library
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
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Crouched on a branch of a mukuyu tree,a girl tore open a speckled fruit. Read the first page
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Customer Reviews

73 Reviews
5 star:
 (41)
4 star:
 (16)
3 star:
 (8)
2 star:
 (3)
1 star:
 (5)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.2 out of 5 stars (73 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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5.0 out of 5 stars Greatest Book Ever, Mar 21 2004
By "nslepak" (Florida) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Girl Named Disaster (Paperback)
This book about a girl named Nhamo, begins where Nhamo has to struggle for her village. She does all the chores for her family. She is always yelled at and pushed around by Aunt Chipo. One day, a terrible disease strikes her village and many people die. Even her cousin gets sick! Luckily, her cousin survives. Her family goes to a doctor and he sets her ambuya or grandmother into a stroke because she insulted him. Nhamo is acused of being the cause of this. An angry spirit, killed by her father, killed her mother when she was a baby, and now he wants her spirit! Her ambuya, tells her to go to Zimbabwe and find her father there. She goes on an adventure you CAN'T forget!
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2.0 out of 5 stars Not my favorite book, Feb 1 2004
By A Customer
This review is from: Girl Named Disaster (Paperback)
Not my favorite book. This was not one of my favorite books because I am not a big fan of girl against nature stories. Nhamo spent so much time traveling and going around the island when she could have spent that time with her grandmother. Once she was on her own, everything was about her survival and her struggles for food and shelter, against the animals, and finding her way. To me, it would have been a much more interesting story if we got to see her struggles against her cruel husband, his other wives and her mean aunt. I would have liked to see her stay and care for her grandmother and spend time with her while she was near the end of her life. Her struggles and the struggels of her parents and family were so sad even though she survived and came out on top. However, there is a lot of suspense, danger, action and a girl's fight for independence, survival and her family. If this appeals to you, then you will probably love the book. It just wasn't my type, though.
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5.0 out of 5 stars a girl named diaster, Jan 23 2004
By A Customer
This review is from: Girl Named Disaster (Paperback)
this book was an exciting book filled with adventure.when i read this book i nearly jumped out of my pants evrey time something would happen. it was the best book i ever read. there should be a sequal.
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 		 Most recent customer reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a great book!
This is a challenging, exciting book for youth that adults can enjoy too. It is very conplex and the story is so interesting. This is a very different book for youth. Read more
Published on Oct 25 2003

3.0 out of 5 stars Hmmm...
I have read a girl named disaster twice now. Though I mostly like it, some of the parts are just confusing. Read more
Published on Sep 29 2003

4.0 out of 5 stars A Girl Named Disaster
A Girl Named Disaster is a fantastic and exciting novel that takes place in Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Read more
Published on Feb 24 2003

5.0 out of 5 stars THIS WAS ONE OF MY FAVORITE BOOKS EVER!!!
I really enjoyed reading this book because it was well written, interesting, and it wasn't short. It has 1 interesting thing right after another so you dont have to sit there half... Read more
Published on Feb 15 2003

4.0 out of 5 stars A Good Book
Nhamo lives with her aunt and uncle and cousins. She feels of out of place, and not very loved. Eventually, her relatives engager her to a cruel, much older man in order to save... Read more
Published on Dec 30 2002 by miezee

5.0 out of 5 stars This Was A Very Good Book
A Girl Named Disaster is a very good book. It is about Nhamo Jongwe, whose mother is dead and her father left her, so she lives with her mother's relatives in Mozambique. Read more
Published on Jul 23 2002 by monkey123

4.0 out of 5 stars Courage and spirit
This book is remarkable on several levels: it explores the rich culture and religion of the Shona people in Mozambique; it follows the spiritual journey of the main character,... Read more
Published on Jul 20 2002 by a-span

1.0 out of 5 stars Depressing book
This book is extremely depressing. Everthing that happens to this girl seems to be bad. You keep hoping that it will get better, that things will turn out well for her in the... Read more
Published on Jun 15 2002 by a 13 year old from Norway

5.0 out of 5 stars AMAZING BOOK
This book is amazing and I love it. Don't listen to anyone who rates this book below 5 stars because that is what it deserves. Read more
Published on Jun 9 2002

5.0 out of 5 stars A girl Named Disaster
This book is very enjoyable and is based on a true story Nancy Farmer is a great writer!... I loved this book!...
Published on April 18 2002

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