kindredbooks's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I received a gifted copy of Crossing the Farak River by Michelle Aung Thin from Annick Press in exchange for an honest review.
Synopsis from the book: Like all Rohingyas in Rakhine province, Hasina lives in constant threat of SIt Tat, the Myanmar Army. The wop wop wop of their helicopters means one thing only - run, and don’t stop. So when soldiers invade her village one night, she races deep into the forest to hide with her brother, Araf, and her cousin Guadiana. When they return days later to find their family missing and the Rohingyas driven out, Hasina must fight to survive amidst a conflict that threatens her whole world.
I knew from reading the synopsis of the story that this was not going to be an easy read. While it is a relatively short middle grade novel, the content is more serious and important to know about. Through this narrative, I was able to better understand the situation in Myanmar and how these different groups of people have been caught up in the conflict that resulted in so many displaced peoples. It is a story of war and abuse, but it is also a story of hope, family, and community. Reading Hasina’s story, you cannot help but root for this young girl as she tries her best to protect those around her, even as many things are out of her control. This is a must read story.
Thank you to Annick Press for sending me this book.
Synopsis from the book: Like all Rohingyas in Rakhine province, Hasina lives in constant threat of SIt Tat, the Myanmar Army. The wop wop wop of their helicopters means one thing only - run, and don’t stop. So when soldiers invade her village one night, she races deep into the forest to hide with her brother, Araf, and her cousin Guadiana. When they return days later to find their family missing and the Rohingyas driven out, Hasina must fight to survive amidst a conflict that threatens her whole world.
I knew from reading the synopsis of the story that this was not going to be an easy read. While it is a relatively short middle grade novel, the content is more serious and important to know about. Through this narrative, I was able to better understand the situation in Myanmar and how these different groups of people have been caught up in the conflict that resulted in so many displaced peoples. It is a story of war and abuse, but it is also a story of hope, family, and community. Reading Hasina’s story, you cannot help but root for this young girl as she tries her best to protect those around her, even as many things are out of her control. This is a must read story.
Thank you to Annick Press for sending me this book.
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal death, Blood, Child death, Child abuse, Death, Hate crime, Islamophobia, Police brutality, Racism, Racial slurs, Trafficking, and Violence
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