Yasmin's Hammer

Review
By Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers

How can one not love a book that emphasizes the importance of being able to read? Honestly, it’s one skill that can make or break you in so many ways. Whether utilized for work or pleasure, it’s a skill, and for some (raises hand) a passion, that can last a lifetime. This book explores the lives of those whose quest to obtain this basic skill is harder than most. Focusing on Yasmin and her family, we watch as they struggle to find some way to maintain an adequate living environment with the goal of one day sending their girls to school so they can drink of the knowledge they have desired. . . . A good story at face value as well as a working tool to bring to light the severity of the educational situation in other countries, this book is both story and lesson all in one; certainly gives you something to think about the next time you take reading for granted. In fact, the author gives you some things to ponder just after the story as well. The ‘Afterword’ provided at book’s end gives you a little insight into the current conditions of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh (where this story is set), and how even though they are still developing as a country, they are still behind in many ways. Good majorities of the people live in poverty and thus children are often put to work to help families survive. Though things are changing, there is still quite a ways to go. Several organizations are listed just after this informative section in a “how you can help” piece as well as other suggested reading for those with inquiring minds. . . . take a walk in Yasmin’s world and have your eyes opened to the wonderful privilege that you now enjoy: reading. —Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers