Review Detail

Reader reviewed by Ivy

A Girl Named Disaster, by Nancy Farmer, is about a girl named Nhamo who lives in Africa. Nhamo means disaster in her language. Nhamos mother is dead, and her father has left her. One day an nganga, or a healer, says that Nhamo must marry a man that she has never met. Nhamos ambuya, or grandmother, tells her to get on a boat and travel on the Musengezi River, to Zimbabwe, where her father is. Along the way, Nhamo survives on many islands, with only spirits to talk to. When she finally reaches Zimbabwe, her life changes, and she finds many new people to call family. All throughout her journey, Nhamo holds onto these words: the paths of the body are long, but the paths of the spirit are short.

I think that Nancy Farmer did well making Nhamo sound realistic, by giving Nhamo feelings that you would really feel in Nhamos situation. I could really understand Nhamo. I dont think the author could have done better on anything. You would like this book if you like survival stories, and if you like to read about different cultures. I rate this book 5 stars.