Rating: 
Summary: Not Bad
Review: This book is not one of the best books that I have ever read, but it is not that bad. A Girl Named Disaster is about a young woman named Nhamo (disaster) who lives in an African village in Mozambique. She is forced to marry an old man to save her village, but she runs off to find her father in Zimbabwe. During her journey, she is helped by the spirits of villagers, the Njuzi, water spirits, possessed by an evil witch, and is constantly battling the elements. The book was very interesting, but I personally feel that Nhamo runs into too many islands. Other than that, it was a great book.
Rating: 
Summary: Review for A Girl Named Diaster
Review: (. . .)A Girl Named Disaster is about a girl named Nhamo, who lives in a remote Mozambique village. In her spoken language of the Shona, Nhamo means disaster. She endures a very hard life. She is a young African girl who has a missing father, who may be a murderer, and a mother killed by a leopard. She is an orphan living with her mother's sisters and her grandmother. When the she is forced to marry a cruel man with two wives to save her village from evil spirits, she takes matters into her own hands. She runs away, survives almost certain death, and becomes a woman on her journey to Zimbabwe. She meets two scientists who generously bring her into their home. Through her journey, she faces many of her fears, but yet is determined to strive for a better life.
One of the best things about this book were the descriptions of Africa and their beliefs. It showed how the elements of life and the spirit world were both so active and real to Nhamo and her people. The book was full of these mysterious spirits and they affected Nhamo's life. Nhamo had to fight hunger and darkness and being out in the wild. Nhamo did have some exciting adventures, like when her mother told her to close the door at the Portuguese traders' home, and Nhamo thinking Long Teats would pop out.. Although I thought she was afraid of so many things, like the leopard, she was still brave, but also maybe desperate enough to go on. I also question whether Nhamo is running from her fears or facing them.
The language in the story with the foreign words made it both interesting and sometimes hard to read. Although I mostly liked the foreign language in the story and it made me feel more like I was there in Africa.
I felt that the plot was trite. I think the idea of the usual British story, as children being orphans, living with their elders and having to find their way in life is predictable. There is no surprise that the story is about finding yourself maturing into an adult.
I did not like that the story seemed long and repetitive. I got tired of reading about Nhamo going back and forth to the islands repeatedly. Sometimes the descriptions were too long and I wanted the story just to move forward. It was also repetitive that a lot of the chapters ended as cliffhangers. That really did not make me want to continue to reading or make it more exciting because that was predictable too. Sometimes the action is so unrealistic. For example, when Nhamo goes against the currents in Lake Cabbora Bass, known for its towering 200-foot waterfall. I do not think even the njuzi can push Nhamo up, especially if she cannot even swim.
The story is very feminine and about Nhamo becoming a woman. I think a lot of guys like me find that part of the story hard to relate to. So definitely if you are a person I would think hard before reading this book unless it is for class.
I do not really recommend this book. It is not terrible, but not to my liking either. I like something with a fresh plot and more action. I definitely would not recommend this book to boys.
Rating: 
Summary: a girl named disaster big hit
Review: This story really touched me. Nhamo is clearly what we all want to be! She is brave, kind, and, unlike many heroins, human. Not many heroins show that kind of emotion.
Rating: 
Summary: Confusing
Review: My daughter didn't like this book due to some "scary" events in it. She's 10.There are leeches and other "really gross" parts - according to her. It is set in African culture - which needs to be explained to the average child - which isn't bad just confusing. It would be a better read for someone older than 10 I think.
Rating:
Summary: Nhamo's Story
Review: Nhamo's story in the book, A GIRL NAMED DISASTER, is not a typical young girl's story. For example, how many girls do you know without a mother, without a father, and with family who either is not aware of her existence or hates her? Not many. In this book you are taken on a journey with Nhamo as she battles against life's hardships and finds where she really belongs. I would not recommend this book to boys
Rating:
Summary: this book was not good.
Review: I was forced to read this book in a literature class, and I hated it. ...Also, the book kept repeating itself, especially in the middle. Nhamo went to an island, stayed there for a month. Went to an island, almost died. Went to an island, stayed there for a month. Went to an island, almost died. It was completely non-interesting, and it dragged on forever.
Rating:
Summary: A girl named disaster, by Nancy Farmer
Review: A girl named disaster is one of my all time favorite books! Readers will be drawn in to Nahmo's world throughout her journey. While reading you learn about African culture and experience an adventure that will keep you reading and wanting to know more. I felt as if I was Nahmo. When she was scared, I was, when she was happy, I was! I truly enjoyed this fabulous book.
Rating:
Summary: Stunning...
Review: A Girl Named Disaster is one of the best books I ever read. At first, I wasn't drawn into it at all when I first got it from the school book fair. But when my spring vacation to Disney came, I had to bring something that would keep me entertained during the trip. And then when I picked it up again and read this magnificent book, each page is so spellbinding and the description is so rich that I can picture it in my head again and again and again. The main charecter in the book Nhamo, is one role model girls today should follow. She is so full of courage and tries to find a better life. Ms. Farmer had outdone herself when she created Nhamo. When I finished this novel, I cried because I was afraid I would never come across this book again. Of course my fear was eased, but this is one of the books that will stay in your heart forever.
Rating:
Summary: A Girl Named Disaster
Review: A Girl Named Disaster proved to be a very good adventure novel. It's about a girl named Nhamo, which means disaster, who is forced to run from her village in Mozambique. The focus is on her journey to Zimbabwe and the things she learns along the way. At one point she lives with baboons for several months. It was believable that she wanted to die, but decided to continue on when spirits told her to. I highly recommend this book for anyone that would like to learn about African culture and hear a great story.
Rating:
Summary: A Girl Named Disaster
Review: Imagine your mother is dead and your dad is a murder. You have no parents and you live in a village with the rest of your family from your moms side. You feel lonely there is no one to turn to. No one likes you. Then A Girl named Disaster by Nancy Farmer is a book for you. A Girl named Disaster takes place in a village near Zimbabwe. In this story Nhamos mother and father are gone. She lives with a whole bunch of her aunts, uncles, grandma's, etc. Nhamo is not wanted anywhere. She always has to do chores and and take care of people. Nhamo is very jealous of her cousin Masvita. One day an illness came all throughout the village. Almost everyone died over the sickness. Masvita turned so skinny you could just about see through her skin. Nhamo was told to care for her. The villagers decieded to go see the muvuki at bthe trading post. The family took off early in the morning because it was miles away. As they arrived Nhamo saw many things she hadn't before. If you like adventurous books or Newbory honor award books. Grab A Girl Named Disaster off the shelftoday. Once you start reading it you wont put it down. You'll love it.
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