booksandchicks's review against another edition
4.0
I read the original Rent Collector in 2013 and enjoyed the book that was inspired by a true story. I wanted to read this version written for young readers thinking of my teenagers!
This story takes place in Cambodia at the dump—at the dump where people live. They live day to day sorting through trash looking for items and metal to sell to collect enough money to buy food for the day. I loved this aspect of the story—lets show our children how hard people work to make ends meet.
The story is shown from the perspective of a woman and her life at the dump. She has a husband that goes out and sorts and a baby who has chronic diarrhea. But, the story is about the Rent Collector—the woman who collects rent for the land owner of the dump. You may live at the dump, but there is still rent to pay!
I loved the little bit of history of the Khmer Rouge, the story of an adult learning to read and the power of words, and the compassion humans have for one another. I found some of the reading references and books talked about to be a bit boring for a teen, but the story makes it worth it.
Have your youth read this for a glimpse into a whole other world and life. Help them to see how one can still give even if you have nothing. I think it’s so important for our children to learn to be compassionate, try to help others, serve, listen and love which this book encapsulates so well.
Thank you to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for an advance e-copy in return for my honest review.
This story takes place in Cambodia at the dump—at the dump where people live. They live day to day sorting through trash looking for items and metal to sell to collect enough money to buy food for the day. I loved this aspect of the story—lets show our children how hard people work to make ends meet.
The story is shown from the perspective of a woman and her life at the dump. She has a husband that goes out and sorts and a baby who has chronic diarrhea. But, the story is about the Rent Collector—the woman who collects rent for the land owner of the dump. You may live at the dump, but there is still rent to pay!
I loved the little bit of history of the Khmer Rouge, the story of an adult learning to read and the power of words, and the compassion humans have for one another. I found some of the reading references and books talked about to be a bit boring for a teen, but the story makes it worth it.
Have your youth read this for a glimpse into a whole other world and life. Help them to see how one can still give even if you have nothing. I think it’s so important for our children to learn to be compassionate, try to help others, serve, listen and love which this book encapsulates so well.
Thank you to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for an advance e-copy in return for my honest review.
lspignese's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you to the publisher and Edelweiss+ for the e-ARC of this young readers adaptation.
I thought this was a great story, and was well told. Think is more of a YA read than even upper middle grade, but I think it is a worthwhile addition to libraries and collections.
I thought this was a great story, and was well told. Think is more of a YA read than even upper middle grade, but I think it is a worthwhile addition to libraries and collections.
bookswithnopictures's review against another edition
4.0
Review from my 9 year old reader...
This book is amazing and I read it in three days every day after school!
Every time I read since I read this I think of Sang Ly because it relates, [which is weird] to many other books in weird ways.
It was an influencing loving story full of twists and turns which is very interesting for my taste.
Sang Ly was an interesting character and she is very courageous.
I would recommend it to other young readers including nine eight and ten years old. Sang Ly is a great and confident woman full of excitement and surprises on every page.
The author is a very tempting author and I would definitely read another one of her books.
Thank you to Shadow Mountain for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
This book is amazing and I read it in three days every day after school!
Every time I read since I read this I think of Sang Ly because it relates, [which is weird] to many other books in weird ways.
It was an influencing loving story full of twists and turns which is very interesting for my taste.
Sang Ly was an interesting character and she is very courageous.
I would recommend it to other young readers including nine eight and ten years old. Sang Ly is a great and confident woman full of excitement and surprises on every page.
The author is a very tempting author and I would definitely read another one of her books.
Thank you to Shadow Mountain for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
amysutton's review against another edition
3.0
This is one of the most humbling books I have read in a while. Sang Ly lives with her husband Ki and song Nisay in Stung Mancheay, Cambodia's largest garbage dump. They live in a shelter made from tarps and canvas, and they make their money by finding scraps to resell. Life is a struggle and having enough money to pay the rent collector, Sopeap.
When Sang Ly finds a discarded children's book, Sopeap reveals her past as a teacher and hesitantly makes a deal to teach Sang Ly how to read. Sang Ly falls in love with stories and is filled with hope that education may be the key to unlock a different life for her family.
The ending to this story was impacting and satisfying. I do think the pacing and some of the narration would make this a dense book for some young readers to get through. However, I can see this being such a valuable discussion starter for the right reading group or classroom. Middle school readers will have a whole new perspective opened to them through this book.
I received a copy of this ebook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
When Sang Ly finds a discarded children's book, Sopeap reveals her past as a teacher and hesitantly makes a deal to teach Sang Ly how to read. Sang Ly falls in love with stories and is filled with hope that education may be the key to unlock a different life for her family.
The ending to this story was impacting and satisfying. I do think the pacing and some of the narration would make this a dense book for some young readers to get through. However, I can see this being such a valuable discussion starter for the right reading group or classroom. Middle school readers will have a whole new perspective opened to them through this book.
I received a copy of this ebook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
emunahchedvah's review against another edition
3.0
When one reads a good book, you will enter into the beauty of the world of more books you want to explore and learn from. The author has captured that well with one of the MCs. I have seen places like this, and they really do live complicated lives — it is indeed gut-wrenching, and some might feel hopeless. However, I am glad the author captured how books can change one's perspective in life and influence others to make a change.
Wise words: "We can discover hope, build courage, and find peace even in the most difficult places."
I give this book 3 stars and recommend it to middle-grade teachers as required reading for their students. Thank you to the publisher for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review.
Wise words: "We can discover hope, build courage, and find peace even in the most difficult places."
I give this book 3 stars and recommend it to middle-grade teachers as required reading for their students. Thank you to the publisher for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review.
cartwright's review against another edition
4.0
Over time, I continue to like this book more and more.
ppmarkgraf's review against another edition
4.0
4 out of 5 stars. What a beautiful story about the very human conditions of hope, love and redemption.
tegsreadsbooks's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this book. It was fast paced, interesting and had great writing. This was also partly based on real people, and the slum they lived in was real, so the book included pictures at the end, whichi enjoyed looking at. The actual rent collector was a fictional part of the story, as was the English teaching part of it, but I do think it was a good mix of fact and fiction to keep it interesting. I’m glad I had to read this for my book club, because I hadn’t heard if it before so I probably wouldn’t have picked it up otherwise.
sarahsbookstack's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
3.5
"Words demand justice. They encourage freedom. They change minds. They soften hearts. Words can also save."
"It doesn't matter where you live, Sang Ly, it is how you live."
Sang Ly, her husband Ki, and their son Nisay live in a garbage dump in Cambodia. The boy is sick. They pick trash to sell and make their living. One day, while their rent collector comes to collect and kick them out if they can't pay, she finds a book that Sang Ly had found. The rent collector (Sopeap) ends up teaching Sang Ly how to read.
I've had this book on my list to read for a long time and never picked it up until this young readers edition. I found the story very moving and love that it's based on a true story. I love that Sang Ly and Sopeap become friends and that Sang Ly was able to be there for the end of her days
"It doesn't matter where you live, Sang Ly, it is how you live."
Sang Ly, her husband Ki, and their son Nisay live in a garbage dump in Cambodia. The boy is sick. They pick trash to sell and make their living. One day, while their rent collector comes to collect and kick them out if they can't pay, she finds a book that Sang Ly had found. The rent collector (Sopeap) ends up teaching Sang Ly how to read.
I've had this book on my list to read for a long time and never picked it up until this young readers edition. I found the story very moving and love that it's based on a true story. I love that Sang Ly and Sopeap become friends and that Sang Ly was able to be there for the end of her days
teg_unn's review
5.0
I really enjoyed this book. It was fast paced, interesting and had great writing. This was also partly based on real people, and the slum they lived in was real, so the book included pictures at the end, whichi enjoyed looking at. The actual rent collector was a fictional part of the story, as was the English teaching part of it, but I do think it was a good mix of fact and fiction to keep it interesting. I’m glad I had to read this for my book club, because I hadn’t heard if it before so I probably wouldn’t have picked it up otherwise.
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