Arvella Whitmore

The Bread winner
Firstly I would like to that this book it a very sad story. Its about a little girl who loses here father when she it very young, and she pretends to be a boy and she find a way to make money and finds her forgotten friends. I would recommend this book for people around my age. And especially for people who love adventure. I would give the book a 4/5 stars because its very good book but in some parts its VERY slow and in some parts this flow along very fast. But overall I would even buy this book if it was out in the library. But the slow parts kind off ruin it. I like the book because it tells a life or story from a different angle. It tells me about how it is like to live in Afghanistan and Afghanistan’s cultures. SO get out and get the book! … (mais)

Arvella Whitmore did a good job at bringing the Great Depression to life for the Junior Fiction readers in The Bread Winner. Books about the Great Depression are often dry or depressing, really giving the reader a chance to feel a bit of the despair that was so profoundly felt. The problem with this is that it tends to bring the interest level down, leaving the reader bored and frustrated. (This may not be the result when the reader is more mature, but often seems to be the case with younger or more immature readers.) In this sense, The Bread Winner is a real gem. The pace is great, the characters interesting, and the problems, though clearly felt, are not overwhelming.
My only complaint with the book is that the main character is encouraged to fight, and indeed solves her problems only by being willing to do so. This doesn't negate the value of the book, however, as it provides a good discussion opportunity.… (mais)