Tim Crothers (1) (1963–)

I tried twice to pick up this book. I guess third time is the charm because I finished it.

This is a very non traditional non fiction book. This book does not start with the subject of the book in the first chapter. Nor the second chapter. You have to read at great length until reach the subject of the book. Once you reach the subject of the book, you will learn about life in Uganda and especially the slums of Uganda. A heartbreak place to live. As you learn more about the subject you are show more also "subjected" to flashbacks that impact the subject's life. It will seem frustrating but it is so worth it. When I finished the book, I was left breathless and sad. Hopeful and worried like a parent.

We have to do better toward the welfare and education of females EVERYWHERE!! show less

This book was fairly enjoyable, I also got lost a couple of times in the disjointed stories of other people in the book, and then had to go over the sections again to see where they actually fit into the story. Phiona is quite the gal, I was rooting for her in the chess championships, and was very sad at the abject poverty she lived in the slums of Uganda. I was disappointed that there is no funding to further the chess program, and send these talented kids to the competitions. I almost got show more the feeling at the end of the book there was going to be a plea for money from the reader, but there wasn't. Makes you realize not to take things for granted, I think this would be a great book for a teen book club to read, and discuss how different their lives are. show less

Phiona Mutesi's story is astonishing and inspiring. It was the choice of our neighborhood reading group, and I'm so glad to have read it! Even though I've lived overseas and saw much poverty, it was not so bad as what Phiona and the other children in her Ugandan slum have experienced. I hope the book and movie will draw attention to these children who for all they don't have, including often even one meal a day, do have grit, promise, the ability to rise to challenge, survival skills, show more intelligence and desire to learn, and now even the luxury of dreaming of someday having a better life. These kids need sponsors and financial backing. Their mentor, who also came out of direst poverty, has invested his life so well for their sakes. The book was chosen partly because it is by a local author, and isn't particularly well written, but the power and drama and hope of the story carries it right along. A book that should, and I hope will, be read by many! show less

I was very engrossed by the stories told in this book. At first I was a bit confused by all the different people and their back stories but it helped me to see how universal poverty and despair are in the slums of Katwe and how unbelievable it seems to try and do anything besides daily survival. I think that it is a wonderful illustration of how one person can affect another who helps someone else and eventually many people are given tools to help many others. Maybe some of the complaints show more I've read in other reviews of this book come because it is not a neatly tied up ending, but that's because this book is more like a prequel or even a prologue for the potential to come. The events in this book are still playing out. show less