Global Issues Novel Study (GINS): Introduction/First 20%

Hello everyone! Let's cut right to the chase, I'm participating in a novel study. In this study, each individual got to choose a book to dig into and explore it's deeper meaning. The book that I chose was Tree Girl by Ben Mikalesen. This book is about a child who loves to climb trees, so when soldiers come to her home, she pulls herself up into a tree. It sounded super interesting and I really wanted to learn more about what the tree girl did after getting down from the tree.

The main issue being addressed in my book, as far as I am right now, is war, and the effects that it has on children and others in the society. In this book, Gabi's "tribe" or culture is being attacked by soldiers from the United States. Other issues on rape have also been somewhat covered.

I am ashamed to say that I actually don't have much background information about my topic. It has always interested me, but I've never looked into it unless it has been assigned as an assignment. Who knows, I may look more into it after this project!

There are, in fact, a few questions that came to mind as I begin to read. Especially at the end of each chapter, when there was a cliffhanger. At the end of the first it was, "What war? What's happening? What even led to this?" At the end of the second was, "Oh no! What will Gabi do?" Finally, at the end of chapter 3, I felt myself asking, "Jorge? Are you dead?" I'm also really interested in when Gabi will climb the tree and when the story will really grow from it's roots. Another on-going thing from the novel was the language. There were a whole bunch of words in a different language, and I was always wondering what each of them meant. Boj, for example, is an alcoholic drink.

Many characters have been introduced so far. Chapter one was focused on introducing the main character, Gabi, and her brave personality. In chapter two we got to know her family; Antonio, Lester, Papi, Mami, Jorge, Lidia, Alicia, and Julia. There was also an introduction to Gabi's friend named Manuel, who is actually a full grown man. Then, in the third chapter, Gabi had her quinceniera, and we saw a whole bunch more characters without names. At times, I found it a bit hard to follow with all of the people, but it turned out alright.

That is all I have for you today! Keep watch for more posts on the GINS, and I would love to know if you have read my book so we can talk about it! And happy reading.

Photo Credits: https://www.goodreads.com/book/photo/331211.Tree_Girl

Global Issues Blog: http://globalissuesnovelstudy.blogspot.ca