Thursday, May 14, 2009

The Bite of the Mango by Mariatu Kamar with Susan McClelland

Finished on May 14, 2009
This is the true story of Mariatu, a young girl from Africa who lived through some horrific times and has managed to come out on top. Mariatu had a normal childhood in a small village in Sierra Leone. She lived with her aunt and uncle and many cousins and friends. She was happy collecting water, helping her family and playing with her friends. She heard rumours of the rebels attacking other villages, but she didn't really worry about it ever happening to her village. But one day, the rebels attacked the village- she was only 12 years old- and was attacked by children younger than she was. Although she didn't think so at the time, Mariatu was very lucky to survive. Among other horrors, Mariatu had her hands cut off. Now, left without family and without any means to support herself, Mariatu has to find the will to not only live, but to survive as well. This story, while hard to read at times, really shows what children around the world are exposed to.
Mariatu writes this story with the Globe and Mail writer Susan McClelland and while it isn't always smooth reading, it is a very interesting story.

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