I Am Not Esther - Fleur Beale- SEPTEMBER

Significance- I Am Not Esther is a story about a girl who's mom moves to Africa without her, and leaves her behind with her strangely religious aunt and uncle, and cousins. Her name changes from Kirby to Esther, as she joins the religious cult with her new family. This is a touching book about friendship and love, and how one girl can be lost in so many mysteries, like her mom strangely moving away, and the mystery of Miriam. It shows how friendship and love can be together so closely, and make life so much better.

Perspective- Fleur Beale wrote this book and it is written in the shoes of a young girl named Esther living near Auckland, New Zealand. She is following the path of her lost mother, and trying to find out where she really went.

Evidence- The author is showing her life in Kirby's because she lives in New Zealand and so does Kirby. She also got the idea from it from her own life because she once had a student when she was a teacher and her student got beat up at home and expelled from the family when the student went against their family's religious beliefs. She thought it was an idea that many people could relate to, so she wrote a book about it. I'm sure that all of us can relate to a time where we disobeyed someone and got in trouble for it. It was an idea that she knew people could relate to, so she used it for an idea for a great story.

Connection- This connects to me because I know what it feels like to have your parents keep secrets from you, and then just make plans for you without even mentioning it to you. I've also had friends do that to me. I can also relate to it because I know how it feels to feel like your mom doesn't love you, but really deep down you know that you'll make up soon. It is a very realistic story, that I'm sure as written from the heart.

Supposition- I think if this book were changed no one would read it because it wouldn't be interesting because then there would be no problem. It is perfect just the way it is. If the book changed then Kirby wouldn't have any problems in her life, and then no one would be able to relate to her and feel like they like the book.