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.

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.

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

Nancy Farmer

Middle grade

Novel

Fiction

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A Girl Named Disaster Summary

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A Girl Named Disaster Background

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-12

A Girl Named Disaster Chapters 1-12 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 13-27

A Girl Named Disaster Chapters 13-27 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 28-42

A Girl Named Disaster Chapters 28-42 Summary & Analysis

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Character Analysis

A Girl Named Disaster Character Analysis

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A Girl Named Disaster Themes

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A Girl Named Disaster Symbols & Motifs

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A Girl Named Disaster Important Quotes

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A Girl Named Disaster Essay Topics

A Girl Named Disaster

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