Savannah Grace
Autore di Sihpromatum - I Grew my Boobs in China
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Opere di Savannah Grace
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Vancouver, Canada: Fourteen year old Savannah thought it was the end of the world when her newly divorced mother (Maggie 45 yrs.) decided that she would pull her two daughters (Breanna 17 yrs.) out of school and travel for a year. Accompanying them would be already seasoned traveller - older brother Ammon, 25 yrs.
"We were going to pack up everything, we were going to travel around the world, and we were going to live out of backpacks - for a whole year!"
May 05/05. The Watkins load up their backpacks and head to Hong Kong, China and on to Mongolia. (That's just the first three months covered in this first book.)
Sihpromatum is told from 14 year old Savannah Grace's viewpoint. The first chapters deal with typical teenage angst - leaving at a time when cliques, boys, parties and mall shopping take priority in an adolescent's life. And I had to stop and remind myself of that when I read of her reluctance to go on this adventure. I was reading with older eyes and could only see this as an amazing opportunity and adventure.
There is a chapter in the beginning written from Maggie's view, which led me to think we might hear from the rest of the family throughout the book, but that was not the case. Although you can read entries written by all the family members on their blog - Escape the Good Life.
What we do get is a realistic recounting from a young pair of eyes, seeing the world - literally
- for the first time. New food, uncomfortable toileting situations, cultural shock, travel conditions that aren't cushy and more. But slowly but surely, cracks start appearing in her self absorption...."In my half-asleep state, something within me awakened, and I felt the most calming form of peace imaginable. For just an instant, I let go and peered curiously though that doorway of exciting possibilities, but it was one I was not yet ready to step through."
But she does step through and starts embracing the potential and opportunities that this adventure offers. Descriptions of the sights seen are intriguing, but it is the experiences with the people they met that proved to be the most interesting for me. Family dynamics and interactions also play a large part in this travel/coming of age memoir.
By the time the family hits Mongolia (and the Gobi Desert!) Savannah ..."finally pushed through that barrier of stubbornness I'd always carried to see a new reality, one where I was unbelievably blessed by all the wonderful, positive things in my life. I knew that despite my age, my inexperience, and the minimal impact I had made on the world thus far, I would no longer be able to resist or ignore this new comprehension of my place in it." And the title and cover blurb "How an unwanted journey forced me to see the world with open eyes" fall into place.
Check out their slide show of this journey on YouTube. It really brings home what an absolutely amazing odyssey this family has undertook, both as individuals and as a unit. Not just physically, but emotionally as well. I'm in awe - and of Maggie especially.
Last we see them, they're on a train headed to Russia. This is just book one - the family's one year adventure stretched to four years. At the writing of this review, Savannah has visited 99 countries on 5 continents....… (altro)
"We were going to pack up everything, we were going to travel around the world, and we were going to live out of backpacks - for a whole year!"
May 05/05. The Watkins load up their backpacks and head to Hong Kong, China and on to Mongolia. (That's just the first three months covered in this first book.)
Sihpromatum is told from 14 year old Savannah Grace's viewpoint. The first chapters deal with typical teenage angst - leaving at a time when cliques, boys, parties and mall shopping take priority in an adolescent's life. And I had to stop and remind myself of that when I read of her reluctance to go on this adventure. I was reading with older eyes and could only see this as an amazing opportunity and adventure.
There is a chapter in the beginning written from Maggie's view, which led me to think we might hear from the rest of the family throughout the book, but that was not the case. Although you can read entries written by all the family members on their blog - Escape the Good Life.
What we do get is a realistic recounting from a young pair of eyes, seeing the world - literally
- for the first time. New food, uncomfortable toileting situations, cultural shock, travel conditions that aren't cushy and more. But slowly but surely, cracks start appearing in her self absorption...."In my half-asleep state, something within me awakened, and I felt the most calming form of peace imaginable. For just an instant, I let go and peered curiously though that doorway of exciting possibilities, but it was one I was not yet ready to step through."
But she does step through and starts embracing the potential and opportunities that this adventure offers. Descriptions of the sights seen are intriguing, but it is the experiences with the people they met that proved to be the most interesting for me. Family dynamics and interactions also play a large part in this travel/coming of age memoir.
By the time the family hits Mongolia (and the Gobi Desert!) Savannah ..."finally pushed through that barrier of stubbornness I'd always carried to see a new reality, one where I was unbelievably blessed by all the wonderful, positive things in my life. I knew that despite my age, my inexperience, and the minimal impact I had made on the world thus far, I would no longer be able to resist or ignore this new comprehension of my place in it." And the title and cover blurb "How an unwanted journey forced me to see the world with open eyes" fall into place.
Check out their slide show of this journey on YouTube. It really brings home what an absolutely amazing odyssey this family has undertook, both as individuals and as a unit. Not just physically, but emotionally as well. I'm in awe - and of Maggie especially.
Last we see them, they're on a train headed to Russia. This is just book one - the family's one year adventure stretched to four years. At the writing of this review, Savannah has visited 99 countries on 5 continents....… (altro)
Book Info: Genre: Memoir
Reading Level: Young Adult
Recommended for: Anyone who is interested in stories about travel experiences
Animal things: girl has to give up all her pets (birds, hamsters, lizards, dogs...); graphic depiction of animal slaughter
My Thoughts: I'm not normally a person who reads memoirs, so this is a bit of a departure for me. However, the author has written this in a style like a novel, just telling a story, and it's very readable.
The scene where Savannah had to give up Harrison made me just sob. I choked up again when they bade farewell to Baagii and Future as they left Mongolia. And now I'm extremely curious to hear what happened in Russia...
I found this to be a very interesting book. I've always had wanderlust and have always wanted to travel, so hearing about these places to me was fascinating, and the author does a great job of giving the broad outlines of the landscape, and a stronger, underlying sense of the emotions it evokes. The idea of doing all this with a backpack and walking most of the time, though, is just a bit too hardcore for me. Probably because of how much pain I suffer when I try to walk pretty much anywhere! I was really impressed by the Mongolian people as described in this book, and their philosophy of taking care of anyone who needs it; their reasoning is if they help those in need, when they themselves are in need, then they can expect the same thing. It's very civilized, and this world needs more civilized behavior.
I really, really enjoyed this book, way more than I thought I would. It's not perfect, I noticed a few minor copy editing issues, but the story is fascinating and it's obviously written with a lot of heart. I think anyone who likes true-life coming-of-age or travel memoirs, or just is interested in traveling in general, will find something to enjoy about this book. Don't hesitate to check it out, it's very enjoyable!
Disclosure: I received an e-book copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis: SIHPROMATUM (Sip-row-may-tum) is a memoir series of one family’s four-year backpacking adventure around the world. The first installment, I Grew my Boobs in China, is the beginning of an intensely fascinating, sobering, and emotional memoir of Savannah’s introspective and innovative family adventure.
In 2005, 14-year-old Savannah Grace’s world is shattered when her mother unexpectedly announces that she and her family (mother, 45; brother, 25; sister, 17) would soon embark on an incredible, open-ended journey. When everything from her pets to the house she lived in is either sold, given away or put in storage, this naïve teenage girl runs headlong into the reality and hardships of a life on the road.
Built around a startling backdrop of over eighty countries (I Grew my Boobs in China relates the family’s adventures in China and Mongolia), this is a tale of feminine maturation—of Savannah’s metamorphosis from ingénue to woman-of-the-world. Nibbling roasted duck tongues in China and being stranded in Mongolia’s Gobi Desert are just two experiences that contribute to Savannah’s exploration of new cultures and to the process of adapting to the world around her.… (altro)
Reading Level: Young Adult
Recommended for: Anyone who is interested in stories about travel experiences
Animal things: girl has to give up all her pets (birds, hamsters, lizards, dogs...); graphic depiction of animal slaughter
My Thoughts: I'm not normally a person who reads memoirs, so this is a bit of a departure for me. However, the author has written this in a style like a novel, just telling a story, and it's very readable.
The scene where Savannah had to give up Harrison made me just sob. I choked up again when they bade farewell to Baagii and Future as they left Mongolia. And now I'm extremely curious to hear what happened in Russia...
I found this to be a very interesting book. I've always had wanderlust and have always wanted to travel, so hearing about these places to me was fascinating, and the author does a great job of giving the broad outlines of the landscape, and a stronger, underlying sense of the emotions it evokes. The idea of doing all this with a backpack and walking most of the time, though, is just a bit too hardcore for me. Probably because of how much pain I suffer when I try to walk pretty much anywhere! I was really impressed by the Mongolian people as described in this book, and their philosophy of taking care of anyone who needs it; their reasoning is if they help those in need, when they themselves are in need, then they can expect the same thing. It's very civilized, and this world needs more civilized behavior.
I really, really enjoyed this book, way more than I thought I would. It's not perfect, I noticed a few minor copy editing issues, but the story is fascinating and it's obviously written with a lot of heart. I think anyone who likes true-life coming-of-age or travel memoirs, or just is interested in traveling in general, will find something to enjoy about this book. Don't hesitate to check it out, it's very enjoyable!
Disclosure: I received an e-book copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis: SIHPROMATUM (Sip-row-may-tum) is a memoir series of one family’s four-year backpacking adventure around the world. The first installment, I Grew my Boobs in China, is the beginning of an intensely fascinating, sobering, and emotional memoir of Savannah’s introspective and innovative family adventure.
In 2005, 14-year-old Savannah Grace’s world is shattered when her mother unexpectedly announces that she and her family (mother, 45; brother, 25; sister, 17) would soon embark on an incredible, open-ended journey. When everything from her pets to the house she lived in is either sold, given away or put in storage, this naïve teenage girl runs headlong into the reality and hardships of a life on the road.
Built around a startling backdrop of over eighty countries (I Grew my Boobs in China relates the family’s adventures in China and Mongolia), this is a tale of feminine maturation—of Savannah’s metamorphosis from ingénue to woman-of-the-world. Nibbling roasted duck tongues in China and being stranded in Mongolia’s Gobi Desert are just two experiences that contribute to Savannah’s exploration of new cultures and to the process of adapting to the world around her.… (altro)
Premi e riconoscimenti
Statistiche
- Opere
- 2
- Utenti
- 55
- Popolarità
- #295,340
- Voto
- 4.4
- Recensioni
- 3
- ISBN
- 4
The story starts with a bang, or rather, with the barrel of a gun pointed by a handsome but scary Russian soldier. Savannah's brother knows almost everything, including when not to be scared, and even which part of a plane is safest in an accident. Her mother combines a pleasing real-world wisdom with a zany sense of adventure: "Don’t let past experience affect your view of new people." And her sister is... well, a sister. Meanwhile the scenery's surely a character too, beautifully but very unobtrusively described with warmth and teenage affection.
If you can’t travel the world, this book (or series) might well be the next best thing. For those who like their trips well-ordered, it offers a way to experience life on the edge. And for those with dreams of seeing Pakistan, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan and more, it offers vicarious experience without the accompanying danger.
The author’s voice is enjoyably youthful and honest. Family dialog, through good times and bad, is pleasingly real. Growing up is hard. And growing to know the real world out there (as well as the world within) is a wonderful experience, generously share by in inspiring and truly inspired author.
Disclosure: I’d read book one and I couldn’t resist book two. Roll on book three please!… (altro)