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Auma’s Long Run

An incredible read. A book that I purchased, recommend, and share.

Auma’s Long RunAuma's Long Run by Eucabeth A. Odhiambo
Published by Carolrhoda Books
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1980’s Kenya, 13-year-old Auma wants answers: Why is her father not returning to his job in the city? What is causing this mysterious illness that people in the village call Slim? Why is her mother silent and withdrawn after taking Auma’s father to the doctor?

The one place where Auma can get answers is school, a place where the teachers are strict (students get hit with a cane in the back of the legs if they are late, “no excuses” is the rule), but at least they give the students accurate information about the transmission and inevitable course of AIDS.

Auma faces the daily struggle of keeping her siblings in school and alive after the suffering and deaths of first her father and then her mother. Auma and her mother have their most difficult, honest, and courageous conversation near the end of her mother’s life.

The author, Eucabeth A. Odhiambo, draws from her own experiences and her work with children affected by AIDS in Kenya. She calls these children heroes, and children like Auma have the fortitude and courage to survive and to keep their siblings alive as well.

Odhiambo’s writing is genuine, clear, even. We get a clear sense of the struggles that children and women face in a society that gives them few options, but the story is uplifting.  Auma relies on her best friend, her grandmother, and other women in the community to prevail in getting an education and a track scholarship.

My hope is that Odhiambo continues writing Auma’s story and that we find out if she fulfills her dream to become a doctor dedicated to helping her people fight AIDS.

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Writing Radar

If you happen to notice some kid skulking around your neighborhood or apartment complex, eavesdropping on conversations and scribbling in a black notebook, chances are that kid has read Writing Radar: Using Your Journal to Scoop Out and Craft Great Stories by Jack Gantos.

Writing RadarWriting Radar: Using Your Journal to Snoop Out and Craft Great Stories by Jack Gantos
Published by Farrar Straus Giroux
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Multi-award winning author, creative writing professor of 20 years, and the only author who has ever made me choke with laughter on a sandwich while trying to drive and listen to his audio book, Jack Gantos has the street cred to pull off this hilarious and inspirational writing manual.  Aimed at middle graders, this is for anyone who interested in creative writing.

Inspired by Harriet the Spy and the confidence that he could write better than the cheerful, flowery fluff that he found in his older sister’s stolen diary, a young Jack Gantos swore an oath to himself to write a book that would someday appear on the library shelf. He received encouragement from one Mrs. Hammer, a tough-minded librarian who had lost her two previous jobs because of “abusive behavior.” She supported his quest to write and encouraged him to put his writing on the shelf in the school library. Later, his English teacher gave him writing advice that he adheres to today.

In this book, packed with practical suggestions, almost unbelievable anecdotes, and just the right balance of support and instruction, Gantos speaks directly to the reader. Kids will be inspired to take their own authorship oaths.

Add this to your gift list for the aspiring writers in your life and be sure to include a notebook and a cool pen and pencil to go with it. This book goes on my worth-every-penny list.