Rent: Ana's Story: A Journey of Hope

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!

really nice job of expressing yourself. great first effort . look for many more to come. nice job!

If the author had not been the daughter of George W. Bush, no publisher would touch this book. While the circumstances of Ana's life are grim ( infected with HIV at birth, parents who succumbed to AIDS ), Ana seems as superficial as the author, passing through her life giving only lip service to the needs of others. There is so much more one can do to help to prevent AIDS rather than wasting time on this book.

"Ana's Story" is a very helpful book that, in many ways, subverts the counter-productive efforts of some elements of the right-wing. While some on the right want to teach abstinence only, Jenna writes about the need for a more complete sex education. While some on the right-wing are very insular and have a sort of empathy impairment, Jenna's book is internationalist New Internationalist and genuinely concerned about the well-being of other people. I saw her presentation at a bookstore here in Denver, and she was thoughtful enough to have a table of UNICEF volunteers handing out literature about their efforts.
So, I think some of the negative reviews are unfair, and that we should distinguish between the destructive policies of the corporatist war party, and the efforts of Jenna Bush. She said that her internship with UNICEF changed her life. Many people have had their lives changed by global travel, and I hope her actions encourage others to breakthrough the insularity of US society. Groups like "Global Exchange" and "Witness for Peace" facilitate that sort of experience, while government projects like the Peace Corps have done the same.
One criticism of the book would be a lack of analysis of the root causes of some of the suffering and social breakdown in parts of Latin America. For that, I'd recommend Empire's Workshop: Latin America, the United States, and the Rise of the New Imperialism (American Empire Project) and When the Mountains Tremble. And for insight into how Latin Americans are resisting corporate globalization, I'd recommend Cocalero and The Fourth World War.

Excellent book- teens should read it too.
It helps dissolve barriers with those who are marginalized by AIDS or by abuse.