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estebe's review against another edition
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
nicholasbarone's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
daisey's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this middle grade story about a young girl and her family that face severe persecution in Myanmar as a member of Rohingya cultural group. I appreciated the close relationship between the family members and the other friendships they built in order to survive their situation.
*I received a free electronic copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review.
*I received a free electronic copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review.
musicalpopcorn's review against another edition
3.0
Hasina and her family are forced to give up the life they have known in this story about a Rohingya family in Myanmar.
This book was a quite and enlightening read that touched on what many children in Myanmar are probably going through during the current crisis. It was very informative and engagingly written for young readers.
This book was a quite and enlightening read that touched on what many children in Myanmar are probably going through during the current crisis. It was very informative and engagingly written for young readers.
rknuttel's review against another edition
4.0
Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for a review copy of this book - all opinions are my own.
This book is an excellent combination of entertaining and educational. It’s not like it’s intended to be super educational, but that just comes from being centered around a topic I didn’t know too much about! Hasina is a Muslim girl living in Myanmar. She and her family are very happy in their village until tensions start to grown and the Rohingya Muslims become targets, forced by the government to evacuate to Bangladesh. After one terrifying night, Hasina, her cousin Ghadiya, and her little brother Araf are separated from all the adults in their family and have to survive on their own. This in turn sets off a chain of events that will test the kids’ strength and determination. The variety of challenges they face means that this story is fast paced and never gets boring. It also does a great job of covering some very heavy topics in a way that is serious but not overwhelming for kids. I really wanted to read this book because I have never seen or read a book set in Myanmar or that deals with the Rohingya crisis. It’s a great title to add to your library to increase representation for a variety of cultures. The back says intended for grades 6+ but I can easily see this in my 5th grade classroom. It would be great as a read aloud where the teacher can offer support for some of the cultural concepts that might be very foreign to some students. I found myself googling a lot while I read to educate myself, including maps and history of Myanmar and the process of growing and harvesting rice. The author does a FANTASTIC job with some of the BEST back matter I have seen in a long time. In addition to the map in the front, there is an author's note, timeline of Myanmar’s history, glossary of terms in multiple languages, and a list of additional resource links. Like, WOW!! The only reason this book is 4 stars and not 5 is because the third person present tense POV made me feel a little bit outside of the characters' heads. But it’s also just my least favorite POV and it tends to pull me out of the story...I’m picky about this! But I ❤️ this book!!
This book is an excellent combination of entertaining and educational. It’s not like it’s intended to be super educational, but that just comes from being centered around a topic I didn’t know too much about! Hasina is a Muslim girl living in Myanmar. She and her family are very happy in their village until tensions start to grown and the Rohingya Muslims become targets, forced by the government to evacuate to Bangladesh. After one terrifying night, Hasina, her cousin Ghadiya, and her little brother Araf are separated from all the adults in their family and have to survive on their own. This in turn sets off a chain of events that will test the kids’ strength and determination. The variety of challenges they face means that this story is fast paced and never gets boring. It also does a great job of covering some very heavy topics in a way that is serious but not overwhelming for kids. I really wanted to read this book because I have never seen or read a book set in Myanmar or that deals with the Rohingya crisis. It’s a great title to add to your library to increase representation for a variety of cultures. The back says intended for grades 6+ but I can easily see this in my 5th grade classroom. It would be great as a read aloud where the teacher can offer support for some of the cultural concepts that might be very foreign to some students. I found myself googling a lot while I read to educate myself, including maps and history of Myanmar and the process of growing and harvesting rice. The author does a FANTASTIC job with some of the BEST back matter I have seen in a long time. In addition to the map in the front, there is an author's note, timeline of Myanmar’s history, glossary of terms in multiple languages, and a list of additional resource links. Like, WOW!! The only reason this book is 4 stars and not 5 is because the third person present tense POV made me feel a little bit outside of the characters' heads. But it’s also just my least favorite POV and it tends to pull me out of the story...I’m picky about this! But I ❤️ this book!!
gemcat42's review against another edition
5.0
This book was well-written and engaging. I learned a lot about the trials of the Rohingya, and the greater unrest in Myanmar as a whole. I had heard news reports about it, but being embedded in the crisis through fiction was a lot more impactful.
msdinthelibrary's review against another edition
Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy own.
Reading about experiences is more impactful on my learning than any other medium. Storytelling is powerful; teaching kids through sharing stories is the reason why I am a librarian.
That’s why this book is so important. Crossing the Farak River is an #ownvoices title, reads like a thriller, and touches on topics like human trafficking, violence, and death, all through the perspective of middle-grade protagonist Hasina.
TBH, I didn’t know anything about the ongoing conflict among the Arakan Army, Muslims, Buddhists, Burmese, and Rohingyas. While the situations affecting Hasina are heavy, Thin writes well for a younger audience. She gives us a raw view of what it’s like to be a young girl facing all of these issues, asking the right questions, but not quite grasping what it all means and why it’s affecting her family. This book tells an incredible story of a girl who fights to keep herself and her younger family members safe after an attack on her home and the disappearance of their parents. Kids will relate to Hasina’s longing for normalcy, her grit and perseverance, and they will empathize with her struggle.
There is a lot going in the world right now. After reading this, I have the ability to think and feel more deeply about the persecution of Rohingya people, and a better vocabulary to share stories about refugees to younger students. I feel lucky that we have writers like @michelleaungthin to articulate tough topics , and publishers like @annickpress willing to put incredible stories like this one out in the world. Thank you!
Reading about experiences is more impactful on my learning than any other medium. Storytelling is powerful; teaching kids through sharing stories is the reason why I am a librarian.
That’s why this book is so important. Crossing the Farak River is an #ownvoices title, reads like a thriller, and touches on topics like human trafficking, violence, and death, all through the perspective of middle-grade protagonist Hasina.
TBH, I didn’t know anything about the ongoing conflict among the Arakan Army, Muslims, Buddhists, Burmese, and Rohingyas. While the situations affecting Hasina are heavy, Thin writes well for a younger audience. She gives us a raw view of what it’s like to be a young girl facing all of these issues, asking the right questions, but not quite grasping what it all means and why it’s affecting her family. This book tells an incredible story of a girl who fights to keep herself and her younger family members safe after an attack on her home and the disappearance of their parents. Kids will relate to Hasina’s longing for normalcy, her grit and perseverance, and they will empathize with her struggle.
There is a lot going in the world right now. After reading this, I have the ability to think and feel more deeply about the persecution of Rohingya people, and a better vocabulary to share stories about refugees to younger students. I feel lucky that we have writers like @michelleaungthin to articulate tough topics , and publishers like @annickpress willing to put incredible stories like this one out in the world. Thank you!
booksnbrains's review
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
If you want to know more about the Rohingya genocide in Myanmar, or even if you don't, you should read this book. It's classified as a middle grade novel, but it's written much better than most, in my opinion. I often get annoyed with middle grade books because the author appears to simplify the language to an almost condescending degree. I didn't feel that way here, and the story is one of the few I've seen regarding this particular subject.
arrrgh_schooling's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Hasina and her little brother Araf live in constant fear of the Myanmar army, or Sit Tat. As Rohingyas, they are in danger in their own home. When the army attacks in the night, Hasina, along with her brother and cousin run into the forest to hide. But when they return, everyone has gone. Hasina is left to take care of her family and learn what happened to her parents and aunt.
I love discovering books that take place in countries that just don't get written about, especially when they are aimed at children. I had never read anything that took place in Myanmar before, so I was very excited to read this book. I think this story is a great introduction to the unstable situation in that country. It felt very real and had a great sense of place. I found myself feeling very stressed out for what Hasina was going through and stayed up very late into the night so that I could finish the story. This book is aimed at upper middle grade (I would say ages 12 and up), but I found it very informative and readable. I highly recommend checking this out!
Hasina and her little brother Araf live in constant fear of the Myanmar army, or Sit Tat. As Rohingyas, they are in danger in their own home. When the army attacks in the night, Hasina, along with her brother and cousin run into the forest to hide. But when they return, everyone has gone. Hasina is left to take care of her family and learn what happened to her parents and aunt.
I love discovering books that take place in countries that just don't get written about, especially when they are aimed at children. I had never read anything that took place in Myanmar before, so I was very excited to read this book. I think this story is a great introduction to the unstable situation in that country. It felt very real and had a great sense of place. I found myself feeling very stressed out for what Hasina was going through and stayed up very late into the night so that I could finish the story. This book is aimed at upper middle grade (I would say ages 12 and up), but I found it very informative and readable. I highly recommend checking this out!