Miss Becky's Book Reviews
Over A thousand Hills
Home
About Miss Becky
Favorite Authors
Favorite Illustrators
Favorite Research Topics
Book Reviews
Guest Reviews
2006 Librarians' Choices
2005 Librarians Choices
Librarians Choices 2004
2004 Recommendations
2005 Recommendations

Over A Thousand Hills I Walk With You by Hanna Jansen
Reviewed by Becky Laney

Hanna Jansen's OVER A THOUSAND HILLS I WALK WITH YOU is a touching tribute to her adopted daughter who was orphaned in the Rwandan war. Based on her daughter's recollections of her childhood--memories both pleasant and bittersweet--Jansen weaves a tale of sorrow, hope, fear, joy, and love. For example, the early chapters of the book feature a young girl living life large. She is visiting her grandmother. She's playing with her cousins. She's fighting with her sister and brother. Her mom works outside the home, her dad is away a lot...and she has an incredibly whiny sister that she struggles with on a daily basis. She's vibrant and unaware that her world would change in just a few short years. Later chapters reveal the pain, the loss, the confusion, the fear of not knowing if one is going to survive another day. Witnessing such atrocities as seeing your parents and siblings killed by strange soldiers. Seeking help from family friends, yet being turned away because they don't want to risk dying too. Her survival story is inspiring.

The story is beautifully told, Jansen has done a great job here. Her book is definitely worth reading.

To explore more international children's and young adult literature:

Passport: International Children's Literature

Email me!

Becky's Book Review Blog

Add "Becky's Book Reviews" to your JacketFlap Blog Reader!!!!