Jenna Bush, daughter of President George W. and Mrs. Laura Bush, shares the poignant story of a 17-year-old single mother living with HIV in Latin America - an inspiring story of strength and survival.
Ana's Story
and over one million other books are available for Amazon Kindle. Learn more
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Browse our Bookshelf Favorites store for big savings on popular fiction, nonfiction, children's books, and more. |
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Booklist
First Daughter Jenna Bush worked as an intern with UNICEF throughout Latin America, and in her first book, she focuses on the life of a young woman she befriended during her travels. Infected with HIV/AIDS at birth, Ana loses both parents to the disease. After suffering abuse at relatives' homes, she finds a caring center for those living with HIV/AIDS, where she falls in love and eventually gets pregnant. Her child is born without the virus, and at the story's close, Ana has found a peaceful home where she can plan a new life for herself and her baby. The pace is brisk: chapters are only a few pages long, and the accessible language and simple sentences will pull reluctant readers. A few jarring passages point to Bush's outsider's view (a comparison between Ana and "the exotic subjects in Gaugin's Tahiti paintings" stands out), but the wrenching story, illustrated with a few photos, effectively sends an urgent message: too many children are unsafe and burdened by secrets. Classroom-ready resources include discussion questions and suggestions for volunteering. Engberg, Gillian
From the Back Cover
Ana’s Story: A Journey of Hope is a work of narrative nonfiction based on Jenna’s experiences while interning for UNICEF and documenting lives of children and teens she encountered through her work. The book focuses on Ana, a teenage single mother who is bravely living with, rather than dying from, HIV. Ana’s determination has allowed her to overcome abuse and abandonment and fight for an education and a better future for her child. Inspired by the framework of one girl’s life, it is also the story of many children around the world who are marginalized and excluded from basic care, support, and education. Jenna Bush sends a message of hope, inclusion and survival, and calls for youth involvement in helping other young people triumph over adversity.
The book features approximately 45 full color photographs taken by Mia Baxter, Jenna’s friend and fellow UNICEF intern, as well as detailed backmatter including A Letter from Jenna Bush; You Can Make A Difference; Protect Yourself, Protect Others; What’s the Real Deal? Ten Myths About HIV/AIDS; Do You Know the Whole Story? Ten Myths About Abuse; and Discussion Questions.
The book features approximately 45 full color photographs taken by Mia Baxter, Jenna’s friend and fellow UNICEF intern, as well as detailed backmatter including A Letter from Jenna Bush; You Can Make A Difference; Protect Yourself, Protect Others; What’s the Real Deal? Ten Myths About HIV/AIDS; Do You Know the Whole Story? Ten Myths About Abuse; and Discussion Questions.
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images? |
More About the Authors
Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.
Customer Reviews
Share your thoughts with other customers
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
38 of 48 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I read the first 50 pages of this book to a couple of high school classes today, along with the article about the book published in Newsweek. I was surprised by the empathic response from these 10th graders. Several were compelled to share their own stories of HIV/AIDs -- relatives who suffer from it, friends who've died from it. These are students in rural Oregon.
How many of you would tell your friends if you were HIV-positive,I asked. Almost all said they would be too afraid to tell. Afraid of being shunned. Afraid of the shame they'd feel -- even if, like Ana, such shame is undeserved.
Jenna Bush has written a compelling story, in a language that speaks to teens about a subject that remains taboo. Ana's Story should be required reading in schools across this nation.
How many of you would tell your friends if you were HIV-positive,I asked. Almost all said they would be too afraid to tell. Afraid of being shunned. Afraid of the shame they'd feel -- even if, like Ana, such shame is undeserved.
Jenna Bush has written a compelling story, in a language that speaks to teens about a subject that remains taboo. Ana's Story should be required reading in schools across this nation.
37 of 47 people found the following review helpful
By Ronalda
Format:Hardcover
Ana's story is an emotional, compelling read. The narrative is simple as it should be - this is not a work of literary art, it is a factual telling of the events of Ana's life. The simplistic nature of the telling allows you to focus not on Jenna Bush's words, but on Ana's story and her ability to rise above and beyond her circumstances. It places HIV, poverty, and abuse in a personal context and provides information and resources to teens in a fresh way. Beautiful photos add to the appeal of the story. An easy read, but well worth the time.
62 of 82 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Ana's life is a collection of bits and pieces of her past. Infected with HIV at birth, she's unaware of many details of her early childhood. Living with her strict grandmother, she learns to keep secrets-secrets about her infection and the abuse at home. But after Ana falls in love and becomes pregnant at seventeen, she begins a journey of hope-a journey of protecting herself and others. She is living with HIV, not dying from it.
This story is based on Jenna Bush's work with UNICEF. This narrative nonfiction tale is an important story about HIV and also lists resources on how to be better educated about the infection.
I loved the premise of this piece and do feel that Jenna Bush had good intentions as she shares the story of a teen's life with HIV. I feel that teens will be able to relate with the struggles of Ana. I also feel it's important that teens know the facts of HIV. Knowledge is power.
What didn't work for me was how telling this story was. Instead of showing the reader the story, Ms. Bush tells. I know this is a narrative nonfiction book but still I felt the author missed opportunities to make Ana's story stronger.
Still the fast pace of the story will appeal to reluctant readers. And the story is an important one that needs to be told.
This story is based on Jenna Bush's work with UNICEF. This narrative nonfiction tale is an important story about HIV and also lists resources on how to be better educated about the infection.
I loved the premise of this piece and do feel that Jenna Bush had good intentions as she shares the story of a teen's life with HIV. I feel that teens will be able to relate with the struggles of Ana. I also feel it's important that teens know the facts of HIV. Knowledge is power.
What didn't work for me was how telling this story was. Instead of showing the reader the story, Ms. Bush tells. I know this is a narrative nonfiction book but still I felt the author missed opportunities to make Ana's story stronger.
Still the fast pace of the story will appeal to reluctant readers. And the story is an important one that needs to be told.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Ana's Story: A Journey of Hope
Reading group selection chosen for the story although it is geared to young adults. Well worth the read to remind those of us who are so much more fortunate than many throughout... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Jane DuMond
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ana's Story: A Journey of Hope
Absolutley love this book! Been looking for this book every where.. Couldnt even find it in the library. Thank You Amazon for my great book!
Published 18 months ago by Katie
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ana's Story
This is a superb story. I received the book promptly and the price was excellent. Thanks?
Published on November 4, 2010 by Carolyn R. White
5.0 out of 5 stars
Book
I learned about this book while reading Laura Bush's biography. I read it one night, it was well written and informative.
Published on July 29, 2010 by Heather Mitchell
5.0 out of 5 stars
Real Life
Jenna Bush tells a real story, about a real person, in a very personal and touching way. Thank you Jenna! Awesome.
Published on May 1, 2010 by Ryckie M. Watkins
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ana's Story
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Ana's story and also the quick service I received from you which helps when I need or want something and know that I can get such fast service with... Read more
Published on February 14, 2010 by Delores V. Olinde
4.0 out of 5 stars
Compelling and well-written
I bought Ana's story because I wanted to see what kind of book Jenna Bush would write. Jenna spent some time as a worker for Unicef, and during this time she interviewed Ana - not... Read more
Published on December 23, 2009 by Rene L. Hinds
4.0 out of 5 stars
REVIEW
This book was used however I could barely even tell it was used- perfect condition. The story was very inspiring- when ever you think you have it bad, read this book because there... Read more
Published on August 2, 2009 by JoyK
4.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent book for teens
I run a reading group for middle-school girls. This was a perfect book to get the discussion going on boys, AIDS, step-parents and child abuse. Read more
Published on March 8, 2009 by Pat J. Vanhooser
5.0 out of 5 stars
AMAZING is the right word...
Very POWERFUL and very emotional book...Ana's story make me want to help others...Very good writing...I know for sure that Ana' story changed Jenna's Bush life for sure... Read more
Published on January 28, 2009 by Thata 4 ever
