mat_tobin's review against another edition
4.0
Living under the rule of a Chinese occupation, twelve-year old Tashi sees her parents taken away from her small Tibetan home. Suspected of being involved in an underground revolution to overthrow this rule or, at the very least inform the outside world of what is going on, Tashi’s parents find themselves imprisoned and her only hope seems to cross the Himalayas to India and seek help from the Dalai Lami. Accompanied by her friend, Sam and a pair of yaks, both set off across the Himalayas in search of support.
It is clear from the back of the book that Jess has spent time in this region and living amongst Tibetan culture. There was a sense here of a place which felt a little more real and lived in that I thought I might encounter. The characters may have felt a little Waternised at times and there were some odd plot holes and time-shifts (as if the book had been heavily chopped) but Butterworth does explore interesting questions of dictatorial rule and the pace was a strength.
It is clear from the back of the book that Jess has spent time in this region and living amongst Tibetan culture. There was a sense here of a place which felt a little more real and lived in that I thought I might encounter. The characters may have felt a little Waternised at times and there were some odd plot holes and time-shifts (as if the book had been heavily chopped) but Butterworth does explore interesting questions of dictatorial rule and the pace was a strength.
dananana's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality, Religious bigotry, Fire/Fire injury, and Animal death
Moderate: Gun violence
iforgotilivedhere's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Read this back in 2018 and still think about it
katiecatbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Informative. Adventure. Nice short chapters with beautiful chapter pages.
phenixsnow's review against another edition
2.0
Its hard to enjoy a story when the main character is annoying. I found Tash to be impetuous, stubborn and immature. Rereading the description i see that Tash and Sam are supposed to be 12,but the whole book I had them pegged as 8 to 10 years old. The audiobook narrator voiced her in a way that was almost always whiny and plainitve. She often sounded like a 4 year old.
There book was short and fast paced with lots of action,but the story just didn't work for me.
This is a middle grade novel maybe 5-7th graders, and i think that age would enjoy this story more than I did.
There book was short and fast paced with lots of action,but the story just didn't work for me.
This is a middle grade novel maybe 5-7th graders, and i think that age would enjoy this story more than I did.
krwriter8's review against another edition
5.0
This MG debut is a fast paced adventure set in Tibet during their occupation by China. Tash and her friend Sam are trying to escape through the Himalayas to cross the border into India, armed with some cryptic clues and their loyal yaks.
Parts of this novel were harrowing and others sad. After I finished reading, I wanted to learn more about the historical aspects.
I received an ARC at ALA midwinter.
Parts of this novel were harrowing and others sad. After I finished reading, I wanted to learn more about the historical aspects.
I received an ARC at ALA midwinter.
tonyfrobisher's review against another edition
5.0
Insight into the plight of Tibet
A story of adventure and friendship, of bravery, separation and identity. But a context that is real and continuing, drawing on the experience of the occupation of Tibet by China and the forced exile across the Himalayan mountains for tens of thousands of Tibetans who face religious and cultural persecution.
A middle grade book that should be a catalyst for awareness, discussion and hopefully change.
Beautifully written - the cold of the mountain passes penetrated from the pages.
Highly recommended.
A story of adventure and friendship, of bravery, separation and identity. But a context that is real and continuing, drawing on the experience of the occupation of Tibet by China and the forced exile across the Himalayan mountains for tens of thousands of Tibetans who face religious and cultural persecution.
A middle grade book that should be a catalyst for awareness, discussion and hopefully change.
Beautifully written - the cold of the mountain passes penetrated from the pages.
Highly recommended.
the_fabric_of_words's review against another edition
5.0
This story features the conflict between China and Tibet, specifically Chinese oppression of the Dalai Lama's followers.
After their parents are taken away by Chinese forces, two children find themselves on a mad dash, with their two yaks, across the mountains to try to save their parents and figure out a mysterious code that needs to be delivered to the rebellion.
Note to Parents: The inciting incident comes when a Buddhist sets himself on fire, known as self-immolation. Students in 8th grade and beyond may have already been exposed to this form of protest, as it was used by Buddhist monks to protest the war in Vietnam, as well, and may be mentioned in the 8th grade Vietnam War curriculum. If your student has not studied this in school, however, or been exposed to it in any other way, this is an excellent teaching moment, and probably warrants a dual-read -- mom or dad on the couch with your kiddo -- to explain and explore while or immediately after reading.
Visit my blog for more book reviews, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
After their parents are taken away by Chinese forces, two children find themselves on a mad dash, with their two yaks, across the mountains to try to save their parents and figure out a mysterious code that needs to be delivered to the rebellion.
Note to Parents: The inciting incident comes when a Buddhist sets himself on fire, known as self-immolation. Students in 8th grade and beyond may have already been exposed to this form of protest, as it was used by Buddhist monks to protest the war in Vietnam, as well, and may be mentioned in the 8th grade Vietnam War curriculum. If your student has not studied this in school, however, or been exposed to it in any other way, this is an excellent teaching moment, and probably warrants a dual-read -- mom or dad on the couch with your kiddo -- to explain and explore while or immediately after reading.
Visit my blog for more book reviews, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
shanayahreads's review against another edition
4.0
Actual rating: 2.5 stars
Full Review Here
I hardly knew anything about this book, much less the political aspects in Tibet. I found the book charming and informative, with facts printed in the last few pages. The book itself is gorgeous, the story is split into a lot of chapters, and each chapter break is beautifully decorated in mandalas and other designs, making the book as stunning inside as it is outside.
Jess’s style of writing in this book is very simple, but that doesn’t take anything away from the story. It felt like I was watching everything unfold from the eyes of a child, which I thought would be easy for young readers to understand, as well as helping older readers see what it would’ve been like from a younger viewpoint.
The story also doesn’t shy away from more violent or disturbing events, like the man setting himself on fire, as said in the blurb, but it didn’t really phase me, or make me feel disgusted. I felt more sad that the situation was so bad, that someone resorted to doing that. I think the reaction to these scenes would depend on the person though, so do be careful if sharing the story with younger readers.
The characters were so precious to me, I loved how they didn’t conform and kept their own cultures. I loved the character relationships in this story. I have a soft spot for books that have strong family relationships, and strong friendships, and this one had both. YAY! The whole plot of the story is Tash going the extra mile (heh) to save her parents, how sweet is that??? I love it. And, on the journey
**MINOR SPOILER FOLLOWS BEWARE BEWARE BEWARE** The most beautiful part, I think, was when Tash had an opportunity to do as a soldier would’ve done and left someone to their would-have-been-justified death, but she took the high road and chose to help him instead.
The only real thing I had an issue with was how quickly everything fell into place in the last quarter of the book, I felt like that could’ve been expanded on a bit more, but besides that I really enjoyed this book, it warmed my heart and I learnt so much from it. I recommend this to young readers, maybe 10+, and anyone who’s looking for a lovely adventurous tale.
I received a review copy from the publisher
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Full Review Here
I hardly knew anything about this book, much less the political aspects in Tibet. I found the book charming and informative, with facts printed in the last few pages. The book itself is gorgeous, the story is split into a lot of chapters, and each chapter break is beautifully decorated in mandalas and other designs, making the book as stunning inside as it is outside.
Jess’s style of writing in this book is very simple, but that doesn’t take anything away from the story. It felt like I was watching everything unfold from the eyes of a child, which I thought would be easy for young readers to understand, as well as helping older readers see what it would’ve been like from a younger viewpoint.
The story also doesn’t shy away from more violent or disturbing events, like the man setting himself on fire, as said in the blurb, but it didn’t really phase me, or make me feel disgusted. I felt more sad that the situation was so bad, that someone resorted to doing that. I think the reaction to these scenes would depend on the person though, so do be careful if sharing the story with younger readers.
The characters were so precious to me, I loved how they didn’t conform and kept their own cultures. I loved the character relationships in this story. I have a soft spot for books that have strong family relationships, and strong friendships, and this one had both. YAY! The whole plot of the story is Tash going the extra mile (heh) to save her parents, how sweet is that??? I love it. And, on the journey
**MINOR SPOILER FOLLOWS BEWARE BEWARE BEWARE** The most beautiful part, I think, was when Tash had an opportunity to do as a soldier would’ve done and left someone to their would-have-been-justified death, but she took the high road and chose to help him instead.
The only real thing I had an issue with was how quickly everything fell into place in the last quarter of the book, I felt like that could’ve been expanded on a bit more, but besides that I really enjoyed this book, it warmed my heart and I learnt so much from it. I recommend this to young readers, maybe 10+, and anyone who’s looking for a lovely adventurous tale.
I received a review copy from the publisher
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