A Girl Named Disaster facts for kids
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| Author | Nancy Farmer |
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| Cover artist | Deborah Kaplan and Robert Hunt |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's novel |
| Publisher | Orchard Books |
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Publication date
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September 1996 |
| Media type | Print (hardback & paperback) |
| Pages | 320 pp (first edition, hardback) |
| ISBN | 0-531-09539-8 (first edition, hardback) |
| OCLC | 34513315 |
A Girl Named Disaster is an exciting adventure novel written by Nancy Farmer in 1996. This book tells the story of a young girl's incredible journey. It explores what it takes to survive in tough places. It also looks at growing up and finding inner strength.
The book has been very popular and received many awards. In 1997, it won the Newbery Honor. It was also named one of the American Library Association's Top Ten Books for Young Adults. Plus, it was a finalist for the National Book Award for Young People's Literature.
Contents
The Incredible Journey of Nhamo
This section tells you about the main story of A Girl Named Disaster.
Nhamo's Life in Mozambique
The story begins in 1981 in a traditional Shona village. This village is located in Mozambique. Our main character is an 11-year-old girl named Nhamo. Her name means "disaster" in the Shona language. She got this name because difficult events seemed to follow her and her mother. Nhamo grew up learning the customs of her tribe.
A Difficult Decision
Nhamo faces many challenges early on. These include a serious illness in her village. There's also a dangerous leopard. A difficult situation arises involving a traditional marriage custom. With her dying grandmother's blessing, Nhamo decides to escape. She takes some gold nuggets and uses her basic survival skills.
Journey to Zimbabwe
Nhamo follows her grandmother's instructions. She secretly takes a boat and supplies. She plans to use the river to reach Zimbabwe. Her father's family lives there. This trip should have taken only two days. Instead, it turns into a year-long adventure. Nhamo faces many dangers on the river. Hippos, crocodiles, and other wild animals threaten her. She also deals with the challenges of growing up.
Survival in the Wild
During her journey, Nhamo faces starvation. She also encounters hungry or aggressive animals. She eventually finds a beautiful, mysterious island. There, she lives alongside a group of baboons. Nhamo often talks to spirits in her mind. These conversations help her feel less lonely. They also give her wise and helpful advice. She makes mistakes and sometimes feels like giving up. She even almost starves to death.
Life in a New World
Finally, Nhamo reaches Zimbabwe. She first lives with some scientists. Later, she meets her father's family. Nhamo then has to learn how to live in modern society. This includes new ways of dressing and behaving. She also learns to read. Some people urge her to forget the "spirits" she talks to. They believe these spirits are "evil."
Meet the Characters
Here are some of the important characters you will meet in the book.
- Nhamo Jongwe: She is the main character, whose name means "Disaster." Despite her name, Nhamo is very clever and good at finding solutions. She faces many tough situations.
- Aunt Chipo: Nhamo's aunt. She is often grumpy. She has always disliked Nhamo's mother, Runako. She also treats Nhamo unfairly.
- Masvita: Nhamo's cousin. She is kind and respectful towards Nhamo. This is true even though her mother, Aunt Chipo, is mean.
- Aunt Shuvai: Nhamo's younger aunt. She is not as strong in her feelings towards Nhamo.
- Uncle Kufa: Nhamo's uncle and Aunt Chipo's husband. He is a practical and sensible man.
- Ruva: Aunt Chipo's second daughter.
- Ambuya: Nhamo and Masvita's grandmother. She loves Nhamo very much and treats her with respect. She is one of the few people who do.
- Crocodile Guts: A fisherman Nhamo meets.
- Sister Gladys: A kind nurse who helps Nhamo later in the story.
- Muvuki: A traditional witch finder in the story.
