A Girl Named Disaster

Reach for this book when your child is grappling with the weight of expectations or feels isolated by their own uniqueness. It is an exceptional choice for a pre-teen who needs to see that survival is not just about physical strength, but about the mental fortitude to define one's own path. Nhamo is an eleven-year-old girl in Mozambique who flees an arranged marriage to an older man, embarking on a perilous solo journey toward Zimbabwe. As she navigates the wilderness, the story explores deep themes of resilience, cultural identity, and the spiritual connection between the self and the past. While the survival elements are gripping, the heart of the book lies in Nhamo's internal growth as she transforms from a girl fleeing disaster into a young woman claiming her future. It is a sophisticated read for ages 10 to 14, offering a rich window into Shona culture and the universal struggle for independence.