A Girl Named Disaster

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.

Reader reviewed by Rachel Connell

Nhamo lives in a village ruled by traditions and curses. When she is forced into an arranged marriage with a horrible man with many wives she flees with only her grandmothers blessing, some gold nuggetts, and her collected survival skills. She tries to find her father and experiances many things along the way. This is a great story to learn some of the South African ways. A very good read and will probabley have to read later in school if not already.

Reader reviewed by cara

A Girl Named Disaster is the humorous and heart-wrenching story of young girl who discovers her own courage and strength when she makes the dangerous journey from Mozambique to Zimbabwe. What was supposed to have been a short boat trip across the border to find her father, turns into an adventure filled with challenges and danger that spans a year.