Ana's Story
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9. Ana decides to keep the sexual abuse she suffered a secret. Why do you think she keeps it to herself? What are some other things she could have done?
10. At Papá’s funeral, Ana was angry with God. How do you think Papá’s death changed Ana?
11. Ana’s decision to write about her abuse in the letter caused some unexpected results. Did it lead to a better outcome for Ana, or worse, and how?
12. Ana goes through a spiritual journey with God throughout her childhood. At what points in her life does her spirituality undergo changes?
13. Ana’s teacher, Señor García, tries to help her move into Yolanda’s house. What are the roles that other adults play in her life? Why is this important? Who in your life supports you? List the five people who give you the most support.
14. Pilar tells Ana she had no choice but to sell sex in order to survive. Before reading Ana’s Story, had you heard or read about other children who are sexually exploited? Do you think there is enough help available for children like Pilar? How can they be better protected? What can you do?
15. How do you feel about Ana’s decision to break up with Berto? Was she being fair to him? What do you think Berto’s rights as Beatriz’s dad might be?
16. Ana is shocked to find out that her grandmother saved her life when she was a toddler. What do you think caused the change in Ana’s relationship with her grandmother at the beginning and then again at the end of the book?
17. Do you think Ana has forgiven her grandmother? Would you be able to forgive someone who treated you badly? What would it take? Is forgiveness important?
18. Ana says that she wants to respect her father’s dying words and protect Isabel. Why do you think the sisters are so close? What struggles does Isabel have that Ana may not have had? What struggles does Ana have that Isabel does not?
19. Of all the places that Ana has lived, where do you think she felt most at home? Where do you feel the safest, and the happiest? How is this place different from Ana’s safe place?
20. Ana is only seventeen years old, but she has endured many hardships. In what ways does Ana seem like a teenager? In what ways does she seem older and more mature than her age?
21. In chapter sixty-six, Ana learns about HIV/AIDS from a local organization. What role does education play in Ana’s story, both in school and out of school? How does education play a role in her future?
22. How much did you know about HIV/AIDS before you read Ana’s Story? Did you discover anything you did not already know about it? Do you think there is enough education and awareness about HIV and other sexually transmitted infections?
23. How did this book affect you? How can you help kids like Ana? What else can you do to help children break free from the cycles of abuse, illness, poverty, and silence?
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I am deeply grateful for my friendship with the real Ana. Ana gave her time and shared her story so that others could learn about the hardship and hope that her life represents. Thanks for teaching me so much about life and love, how to live and appreciate every moment, and how to dance the bachata. Mucho amor.
I also owe so much to all of my colleagues at UNICEF—Nils Kastberg, Jean Gough, Garren “Tío” Lumpkin, Mark Connolly, Vivian Lopez, Clara Sommarin, Bertrand Bainvel, Sunah Kim, Lisa Szarkowski, and Elizabeth Panessa Merola—who taught me about the struggles and the strengths of the children living in Latin America, who read the manuscript several times, and who made sure I represented Ana through child-friendly eyes.
The book couldn’t have been written without the support of many people and organizations who offered their insights, information, and research, particularly Robert Barnett and Susan Whitson. Thanks to all of the NGOs and individuals who let me ask every possible question. I especially want to thank the extraordinary Casa Galilea program in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Also, Luz Virginia—I am grateful for your dedication and excellence in transcribing and translating hours of interviews.
Thanks so much to the remarkable crew at HarperCollins for your gentle guidance and for believing in Ana as much as I do—Jane Friedman, Susan Katz, the wonderful Kate Jackson, Winifred Conkling, Andrea Pappenheimer, Kerry Moynagh, Sandee Roston, Mary Albi, Diane Naughton, Whitney Manger, and the wise Toni Markiet.
Finally, to my family and friends who have always loved and challenged me—thanks for supporting me while I was writing Ana’s Story. Special thanks to my amazing parents, my hermana Barbara, Brooke, Gloria, Krystal, Louise, Mia, and my patient Henry for reading Ana’s Story and giving me your honest edits and suggestions. And more importantly, for showing me that through dedication, love, and acceptance, we can all change lives.
About the Authors
JENNA BUSH is the daughter of President George W. Bush and Mrs. Laura Bush. After graduating from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in English, Jenna was an elementary school teacher in Washington, D.C. for a year and a half. She then embarked on an internship with UNICEF throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, documenting the lives of children in need.
MIA BAXTER is a graduate of the University of Texas with a degree in photojournalism. She was a freelance editorial and documentary photographer in New York City before interning for UNICEF in Latin America and the Caribbean.
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Credits
Cover photographs © 2007 by Mia Baxter
Jacket design by Alison Donalty and David Caplan
Copyright
ANA'S STORY: A Journey of Hope. Copyright © 2007 by Jenna Bush. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.
ePub edition July 2007 ISBN 9780061756160
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