Product Description

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 and barely remembers her mother. Living with her strict grandmother, she learns how to keep secrets – secrets about her infection and about the abuse she endures 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.

Jenna Bush tells of Ana's struggle to break free from the cycle of abuse, silence, and illness with passion and eloquence. But this is not just Ana's story. It is also the story of many children around the world who are marginalized, neglected, and mistreated.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4189 in Books
• Published on: 2007-10-01
• Released on: 2007-09-28
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 304 pages

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

About the Author

Jenna Bush shares her mother's love of reading and teaching. Jenna taught elementary school in Washington, D.C. after graduating from the University of Texas at Austin in 2004 with a degree in English. She has also written articles for CosmoGIRL! and the New York Times. Her first book, #1 New York Times bestselling Ana's Story: A Journey of Hope, is based on her work with UNICEF.

Jenna Bush comparte el amor que su madre siente por la lectura y la enseÑanza. Jenna enseÑÓ en escuelas primarias en Wash­ington, D.C. despuÉs de graduarse en la Universidad de Texas, en Austin, en el 2004, con una licenciatura en Letras Inglesas. Ha escrito artÍculos para CosmoGIRL! y el New York Times. Su primer libro, # 1 en la lista de libros mÁs vendidos del New York Times, La Historia de Ana: Un camino lleno de esperanza, estÁ basado en su trabajo con UNICEF.

Customer Reviews

loved by teenagers in a Honduran orphanage
I was given Ana's Story as a gift from my mother who hoped I might like it in spite of my intense hostility toward the Bush administration. I read the book expecting to get nothing out of it and to have further fuel for my anti-Bush sentiment. I was proven wrong. I have experience with teenagers in Latin America- many of whom are HIV+ and/or victims of abuse- and Jenna Bush's telling of Ana's Story is 100% consistent with the stories I have heard.

I recently found the book in Spanish and passed it on to a houseparent at an orphanage in Honduras. The first woman to read it was an 18-year-old who was born with the disease. She has spread the word about how touching the book is. The young women at the orphanage are clamoring to read it and all have been moved because they relate to Ana and are touched by someone- particularly the daughter of the US president- telling a story that is a lot like theirs.

Ana's Story is clearly written for teenagers and I think is right on for that age group- the writing style, the way she deals with tough topics, and the way the book is designed. I applaud Jenna Bush for her work, for using her name-recognition to share this message, and for following her own path.

Great book very inspiring i lover every moment
I received the book on time. Great condition. I took one night and read this book off very touching loved every moment of the book i even cry i wish i could help to make a different in people who are less fortunate that i. Overall this book was absolutely beautifully love every second of the book. Definitely will recommend this buyer and the book to other people.Good book 5 out 5"

An inspiring story of a girl from another country.
I really enjoyed reading Ana's Story. I work with teenage girls and am always looking for ways to educate them on the struggles of girls in other countries. This story gave a real glimpse on the life and trial of young women far, far away from us. I appreciated the honesty on the part of Ana and the straightforward writing. I highly recommend this book!