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emiliabeth's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
amyrichie's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
daltron3300's review against another edition
Interesting learning about life in Tibet under Chinese occupation
toggle_fow's review
3.0
This book was solid, but not amazing. The story of two kids who flee Chinese-occupied Tibet through the Himalayas to India, Running on the Roof of the World was an interesting and easy read. Sometimes the characters' voices sounded strangely American, vibing weirdly with the Tibetan setting.
To be really good, I would have wanted more detail, and for there to be a whole lot less coincidence involved in the journey. How everything worked out so they just happened to 1) stumble upon the very resistance members the secret message was supposed to go to, 2) encounter the same soldier in the mountains that arrested Tash's parents in the village, 3) have a secret message that was concerned with freeing prisoners JUST BEFORE Tash's parents were arrested, and 4) have Tash's parents walk into the exiled community a month after she arrived there all just combined to seem a little unlikely and contrived.
To be really good, I would have wanted more detail, and for there to be a whole lot less coincidence involved in the journey. How everything worked out so they just happened to 1) stumble upon the very resistance members the secret message was supposed to go to, 2) encounter the same soldier in the mountains that arrested Tash's parents in the village, 3) have a secret message that was concerned with freeing prisoners JUST BEFORE Tash's parents were arrested, and 4) have Tash's parents walk into the exiled community a month after she arrived there all just combined to seem a little unlikely and contrived.
graciegrace1178's review
4.0
Well. That was a bit intense, I’d say. This is a KIDS’ BOOK?
PT: RATW: Tibet*, children’s books (???), ice/mountains/COLD, human journeys, cultural heritage stories
WIL
1) this is exactly what I’m looking for with RAtW books. It covers a human story over geographic terrain in the context of some great conflict. THIS is the formula I’ve been seeking.
2) EVEEEEEEEEEEEE. My heart. Oh Eve, Eve, Eve. What a gentle soul. What a wonderful companion. A savior and an angel in the body of a large yak. A blessing. (Appa vibes?)
3) Vive la resistance. OH YEAH. HECK YEA. A resistance plot!!! FANTASTIC. the underdogs are the protags. *chef’s kiss* fantastico.
4) the Dalai Lama. Happy presence. Good vibes. A figure to worship in times of distress. But also just a fallible person. Just an all around fascinating character that seems pretty well represented here.
5) POV and author choices. This was a wonderfully character-centric account of the troubles faced by Tibetan citizens. Very much in the same vein as A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park! This could’ve been written in any number of different structures/formats, but Butterworth was right to stick with the single perspective/single narrative/primary protag group. Solid decision.
6) the folk song and cultural pride. I will always love when families share folk songs and talk about what their heritage means to them. It’s so wholesome.
WIDL
1) can these kids PLEASE catch a break. It took me longer to read this than expected because it was just. So. Heavy. I mean, it is a book about suppression of people and like,,, military presence and kids traveling alone across mountains to find safety so I probably should’ve *expected* it to be heavy. But I didn’t. And I was *walloped* by it. I had to keep taking breaks to remind myself that the kids will probably be fine. I’ve read some heavy stuff, but this one really weighed on me. I just wish it had been broken up with some lighthearted moments.
2) epithets. This is more generally commentary for kids books. Characters in kids books are more entertaining when they’re character-y, which is to say, when they’re assigned an archetype. This characters were a little more nuanced and human. This is definitely a strong point for most literature, and it speaks to Butterworth’s abilities, but for kids, it’s a little less fun. Would’ve really enjoyed seeing more firm boundary lines on characters here. It def would’ve helped break up some of the complications of the human/political complications as well. Knowing that characters have a reliable set of traits is a security blanket for the otherwise free fall experience of kid-oriented accounts of turmoil.
NEUTRAL GROUND
1) I’ve been fascinated by Tibet for as long as I can remember. Loved finally reading about it! (Seven Years in Tibet has been staring at me from its spot on my shelf for way too long now.)
*yea yea I know it’s not a country. I don’t care. I’m including it as an extra region and treating it as a separate entity for this project. I love Tibet too much to skip over it as a region.
PT: RATW: Tibet*, children’s books (???), ice/mountains/COLD, human journeys, cultural heritage stories
WIL
1) this is exactly what I’m looking for with RAtW books. It covers a human story over geographic terrain in the context of some great conflict. THIS is the formula I’ve been seeking.
2) EVEEEEEEEEEEEE. My heart. Oh Eve, Eve, Eve. What a gentle soul. What a wonderful companion. A savior and an angel in the body of a large yak. A blessing. (Appa vibes?)
3) Vive la resistance. OH YEAH. HECK YEA. A resistance plot!!! FANTASTIC. the underdogs are the protags. *chef’s kiss* fantastico.
4) the Dalai Lama. Happy presence. Good vibes. A figure to worship in times of distress. But also just a fallible person. Just an all around fascinating character that seems pretty well represented here.
5) POV and author choices. This was a wonderfully character-centric account of the troubles faced by Tibetan citizens. Very much in the same vein as A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park! This could’ve been written in any number of different structures/formats, but Butterworth was right to stick with the single perspective/single narrative/primary protag group. Solid decision.
6) the folk song and cultural pride. I will always love when families share folk songs and talk about what their heritage means to them. It’s so wholesome.
WIDL
1) can these kids PLEASE catch a break. It took me longer to read this than expected because it was just. So. Heavy. I mean, it is a book about suppression of people and like,,, military presence and kids traveling alone across mountains to find safety so I probably should’ve *expected* it to be heavy. But I didn’t. And I was *walloped* by it. I had to keep taking breaks to remind myself that the kids will probably be fine. I’ve read some heavy stuff, but this one really weighed on me. I just wish it had been broken up with some lighthearted moments.
2) epithets. This is more generally commentary for kids books. Characters in kids books are more entertaining when they’re character-y, which is to say, when they’re assigned an archetype. This characters were a little more nuanced and human. This is definitely a strong point for most literature, and it speaks to Butterworth’s abilities, but for kids, it’s a little less fun. Would’ve really enjoyed seeing more firm boundary lines on characters here. It def would’ve helped break up some of the complications of the human/political complications as well. Knowing that characters have a reliable set of traits is a security blanket for the otherwise free fall experience of kid-oriented accounts of turmoil.
NEUTRAL GROUND
1) I’ve been fascinated by Tibet for as long as I can remember. Loved finally reading about it! (Seven Years in Tibet has been staring at me from its spot on my shelf for way too long now.)
*yea yea I know it’s not a country. I don’t care. I’m including it as an extra region and treating it as a separate entity for this project. I love Tibet too much to skip over it as a region.
angiebayne's review
3.0
Tash and Sam are fleeing their Tibetan village and trekking over the Himalayas into India. They hope to find the Dalai Lama and ask him for help in freeing Tash's parents. Her parents were taken by the Chinese government in a crackdown after a man set himself on fire in protest. Tash's dad writes for the government newspaper but is also an agent for the resistance. He sends her off with a secret message. Tash and Sam and their two yaks have to flee the government soldiers and survive the harsh conditions to get to India. Once there will the Dalai Lama be able to help them?
I wanted to like this book more than I did. It is a good survival story set in a part of the world that is not often used as a setting for kids books. However, I felt like the story was rushed. The short chapters are great for young readers, but there seemed to be details lacking that would have helped flesh out the story. Even the parts that indicated they were in danger ended so quickly that the danger didn't seem so bad.
The Western names also don't help the story since these are native Tibetan kids. It is explained that Tash and Sam are shortened nicknames for traditional Tibetan names, but because they sound so Western it threw me off.
I wanted to like this book more than I did. It is a good survival story set in a part of the world that is not often used as a setting for kids books. However, I felt like the story was rushed. The short chapters are great for young readers, but there seemed to be details lacking that would have helped flesh out the story. Even the parts that indicated they were in danger ended so quickly that the danger didn't seem so bad.
The Western names also don't help the story since these are native Tibetan kids. It is explained that Tash and Sam are shortened nicknames for traditional Tibetan names, but because they sound so Western it threw me off.
jackieom4's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.5
katykelly's review
4.0
Tibet-set children's adventure, a good insight into the regions' troubles
Danger is present in this short novel. Tash's parents are taken away to prison, after producing rebellious leaflets against the Chinese. Adults are setting themselves on fire in protest at the ruling groups, certain words cannot be spoken for fear of being taken away in the night.
Tash and her friend Sam have lived in Tibet all their lives, abut when her parents are taken, they flee, taking two yak, over the Himalayas to India where their spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama is living. They hope to receive his help in freeing her mum and dad.
It is an evocative story, as the young people struggle through the cold of the mountains. They manage to meet both friends and enemies, they face danger, their friendship is tested.
It feels a little rushed, with its short length, and a sudden ending that ties things up a little neatly. For the age group, it's a great insight into the country, its situation and the lives of ordinary people living there. It might make a good class read with its very short chapters to encourage discussion of another country.
With some rather upsetting content (nothing too graphic, but there are deaths and violence) this is suitable for ages 9 and above.
With thanks to Netgalley for the advance reading copy.
Danger is present in this short novel. Tash's parents are taken away to prison, after producing rebellious leaflets against the Chinese. Adults are setting themselves on fire in protest at the ruling groups, certain words cannot be spoken for fear of being taken away in the night.
Tash and her friend Sam have lived in Tibet all their lives, abut when her parents are taken, they flee, taking two yak, over the Himalayas to India where their spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama is living. They hope to receive his help in freeing her mum and dad.
It is an evocative story, as the young people struggle through the cold of the mountains. They manage to meet both friends and enemies, they face danger, their friendship is tested.
It feels a little rushed, with its short length, and a sudden ending that ties things up a little neatly. For the age group, it's a great insight into the country, its situation and the lives of ordinary people living there. It might make a good class read with its very short chapters to encourage discussion of another country.
With some rather upsetting content (nothing too graphic, but there are deaths and violence) this is suitable for ages 9 and above.
With thanks to Netgalley for the advance reading copy.
animelanie's review
3.0
Book recommended by friend
Read in one day - well written book, great story. Good middle grade book.
Read in one day - well written book, great story. Good middle grade book.
in_and_out_of_the_stash's review against another edition
4.0
More a 3 1/2. A subject that many people know nothing about. I thought it was written appropriately for the age group without dumbing down.