Chanda's Secrets
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Chanda's Secrets

Chanda's Secrets


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About the Book

Chanda's mother is not herself, her younger sister is acting out, and her best friend needs help. A powerful story set amid the African HIV/AIDS pandemic. In this sensitive, swiftly paced story, readers will find echoes of To Kill a Mockingbird as Chanda, a 16-year-old, astonishingly perceptive girl living in the small city of Bonang in Africa, must confront the undercurrents of shame and stigma associated with HIV/AIDS. Through his artful style and dramatic storytelling, Allan Stratton captures the enduring strength of loyalty, the profound impact of loss, and a fearlessness that is powered by the heart. Above all, it is a story about living with truth. Proceeds from the sale of this book will be used to support organizations working to better the lives of Africans living with HIV/AIDS.

About the Author :
Allan Stratton recently returned from Africa where he met the people who inspired this book. He is past Head of Drama at an arts school in Toronto and a former member of New York's The Actors' Studio. His earlier young adult novel, "Leslie's Journal," earned numerous accolades, including a place on the American Library Association's "Best Books for Young Adults" list.

Review :
[Starred review: ] neither sentimental nor graphics close the personal struggle... The message about overcoming ignorance and shame and confronting the facts is ever-present, but the tense story and the realistic characters -- caring, mean, funny, angry, kind and cruel -- will keep kids reading and break the silence about the tragedy.--Hazel Rochman"Booklist" (07/01/2004) [Starred Review: ] Smart and determined, Chanda is a character whom readers come to care for and believe in, in spite of her almost impossible situation. The details of sub-Saharan African life are convincing and smoothly woven into this moving story of poverty and courage, but the real insight for readers will be the appalling treatment of the AIDS victims. Strong language and frank description are appropriate to the subject matter.--Kathleen Isaacs"School Library Journal" (07/01/2004) Chanda is a likeable and well-written character... A great choice for learning about other cultures and about the AIDS crisis.--Rebecca Vnuk"VOYA" (12/01/2004) It brings to life Africa's problem with AIDS and poverty -- a story the world needs to know.--Barbara Jo McKee"Library Media Connection" (11/15/2004) It is about death and dying and survivors -- those who are left to cope with the vast loss of losing loved ones... Through all the adversity, Chanda never lacks hope, and she never stops dreaming.--KaaVonia Hinton"KLIATT" (07/15/2004) Stratton brings the despair, overwhelming poverty and the impact of AIDS/HIV to life while at the same time depicting the strength of human character when faced with adversity.--Anne Hatcher"Resource Links" (06/01/2004) A searing book on an important subject... there is not a maudlin moment in the novel, just genuine grief and understanding as the epidemic assumes some of its many human faces. The strong, respectful writing makes this crucial and broadly relevant story unfailingly human. American Library Association Book Pick for 2005: selected as one of the Best Books for Young Adults. Starred Selection 2009 By focusing on Chanda's personal struggle with what Stephen Lewis, UN special envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa, calls a "sinister, invisible poison," the novel demonstrates that love, loyalty, family, and friendship can flourish in an open and truthful atmosphere once the destructive influence of secrecy has been conquered. With well-paced, robust prose and well-cadenced dialogue, the novel provides valuable insights into the role religion, superstition, culture and customs play in the daily lives of Bonangians. Chanda's struggles put a face to the devastating effects of HIV/AIDS and provide a gripping and heart-wrenching reading experience designed for mature readers. Younger readers may need some preparation to deal with the sensitive and complex topics the novel addresses. Rape, prostitution, adultery, sexual abuse, HIV/AIDS and other difficult subjects are presented in a matter-of-fact fashion and lend credibility and honesty to this discussion of a modern epidemic. Film adaptation, winner of the Prix Francois Chalais [Starred review: ] The tense story and the realistic characters... will keep kids reading and break the silence about the tragedy.--Hazel Rochman"Booklist" (07/01/2004) Brings the despair, overwhelming poverty and the impact of AIDS/HIV to life... strength of human character when faced with adversity.--Anne Hatcher"Resource Links" (06/01/2004) Death and dying and survivors... Through all the adversity, Chanda never lacks hope, and she never stops dreaming.--KaaVonia Hinton"KLIATT" (07/15/2004) Starred review: A character whom readers come to care for and believe in, in spite of her almost impossible situation.--Kathleen Isaacs"School Library Journal" (07/01/2004) [Starred review:] The tense story and the realistic characters... will keep kids reading and break the silence about the tragedy. -- Hazel Rochman "Booklist" (07/01/2004) Good, solid information, enjoyable to read.... recipes are not only nutritious but full of good flavours, and are totally doable. ÝStarred review: ¨ The tense story and the realistic characters... will keep kids reading and break the silence about the tragedy. -- Hazel Rochman "Booklist" (07/01/2004) The strong, respectful writing makes this crucial and broadly relevant story unfailingly human. Well-paced, robust prose... put a face to the devastating effects of HIV/AIDS and provide a gripping and heart-wrenching reading experience.


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Product Details
  • ISBN-13: 9781550378351
  • Publisher: Annick Press Ltd
  • Publisher Imprint: Annick Press Ltd
  • Height: 184 mm
  • Returnable: N
  • Width: 127 mm
  • ISBN-10: 155037835X
  • Publisher Date: 11 Mar 2004
  • Binding: Hardback
  • Language: English
  • Weight: 285 gr


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