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jgurniak's review against another edition
1.0
I barely remember A Girl Named Disaster. All I know is that I didn't even finish it so I really must not have liked it.
foxygalaxy's review against another edition
3.0
Reminiscent of Island of the Blue Dolphins, but doesn't quite have the same impact. I wanted to like it more than I did. The middle dragged and her journey seemed tedious. On the other hand, I did enjoy Nhamo's storytelling. I just wish the editor had forced the author to tighten it up in the middle.
robbynjreeve's review against another edition
3.0
NANCY FARMER
Nhamo is growing up in an African colony. Believed to be a witch by her people and asked to marry a cruel man in her father's family, her grandmother convinces her to flee along the river. Meeting all kinds of obstacles, and beginning to go a little crazy, "A Girl Named Disaster" brings a story of adventure and a gripping character that readers are unlikely to forget. Though I liked this book quite a bit, I did find it dragged on in the middle and lost a little of its appeal.
Nhamo is growing up in an African colony. Believed to be a witch by her people and asked to marry a cruel man in her father's family, her grandmother convinces her to flee along the river. Meeting all kinds of obstacles, and beginning to go a little crazy, "A Girl Named Disaster" brings a story of adventure and a gripping character that readers are unlikely to forget. Though I liked this book quite a bit, I did find it dragged on in the middle and lost a little of its appeal.
roseleaf24's review against another edition
3.0
The middle half of this book is the main character's journey through the jungle and time by herself on an island. If you are interested in Man vs. Nature stories, but looking for a more diverse version than the typical boy and his dog in Alaska, this book is for you. That trope is not my thing at all, so the majority of this book was very slow for me. The parts where Nhamo is with people were fantastic. I loved this view of a life very different from mine, and Farmer did an amazing job of a knowing, but non-judgmental narrator.
4saradouglas's review against another edition
2.0
While this book was very interesting at times, and though I feel as though I learned a great deal, I really don't think this book was written in a way that would hold my students' interest. It starts very slow and it wasn't until halfway through or more that I really became interested in the story. It's sad, but this is a good book that I doubt I'll ever recommend to anyone.
superstormnora's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-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? Yes
4.5
kelly_may's review against another edition
4.0
This is really a gem of its genres: survival and coming of age. Nhamo's stories throughout add depth, insight, and charm. 4.5 stars.
stressedspidergirl's review against another edition
5.0
I was really impressed by Nhamo, and glad that overall she had a happy ending.
I was afraid this would be one of those stories where she lost the gold, or lost her supplies, or something tragic happened, or it would turn into some kind of romance.
Instead it was sort of like Hatchet but with a little girl in another country. At least as far as I can explain.
I enjoyed the weaving of tradition and culture, and feeling like I was learning something about another place along with just enjoying the story of Nhamo. This is a book I would share or read again.
I would also be interested to read this kind of story from an actual person from Zimbabwe, so more stories from the culture itself, vs an outsider. All the same, I enjoyed it and will look forward to more of Nancy Farmer's books.
I was afraid this would be one of those stories where she lost the gold, or lost her supplies, or something tragic happened, or it would turn into some kind of romance.
Instead it was sort of like Hatchet but with a little girl in another country. At least as far as I can explain.
I enjoyed the weaving of tradition and culture, and feeling like I was learning something about another place along with just enjoying the story of Nhamo. This is a book I would share or read again.
I would also be interested to read this kind of story from an actual person from Zimbabwe, so more stories from the culture itself, vs an outsider. All the same, I enjoyed it and will look forward to more of Nancy Farmer's books.
nssutton's review against another edition
4.0
required materials for ya meeting. i loved the ear, the eye and the arm but never really thought to seek out anything else nancy farmer had written. i absolutely loved this, even when it dragged out a little bit.