47 pages • 1 hour read
A Girl Named Disaster
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Book Brief
336
Novel • Fiction
Mozambique • 1980s
1996
Middle grade
10-14 years
730L
Super Short Summary
In A Girl Named Disaster by Nancy Farmer, 11-year-old Nhamo lives in her remote Mozambique village with her late mother’s family. Falsely blamed for recent misfortunes by a local doctor, Nhamo's aunt and uncle plan to marry her off to a dangerous man. Desperate, she flees in a boat to Zimbabwe, a journey that unexpectedly lasts months, testing her resilience and leading to personal growth. The book addresses complex themes, including child marriage, domestic violence, emotional abuse, brief suicidal ideation, and cultural displacement.
Adventurous
Challenging
Inspirational
Emotional
Hopeful
Reviews & Readership
5,367 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Nancy Farmer's A Girl Named Disaster has been praised for its strong heroine, rich cultural details, and engaging survival tale. While some found the pacing slow and the ending abrupt, many appreciated the vivid storytelling and character development. Overall, it is a compelling read that captures resilience and growth.
Who Should Read A Girl Named Disaster?
Fans of The House of the Scorpion and A Long Walk to Water will enjoy A Girl Named Disaster by Nancy Farmer. It appeals to readers aged 10-14 who relish survival tales featuring strong, resourceful protagonists overcoming adversity in vivid, culturally rich settings. Ideal for those interested in African folklore and personal resilience.
5,367 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
336
Novel • Fiction
Mozambique • 1980s
1996
Middle grade
10-14 years
730L
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