Over a Thousand Hills I Walk with You

Over a Thousand Hills I Walk with You

3.82 of 5 stars 3.82  ·  rating details  ·  215 ratings  ·  61 reviews
Before one fateful April day, Jeanne lived the life of a typical Rwandan girl. She fought with her little sister, went to school, and teased her brother. Then, in one horrifying night, everything changed. Political troubles unleashed a torrent of violence upon the Tutsi ethnic group. Jeanne's family, all Tutsis, fled their home and tried desperately to reach safety. They-a...more
Library Binding, 342 pages
Published April 1st 2006 by Carolrhoda Books (first published October 1st 2003)

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Bethany Andrews
In all honesty, I was rather disappointed with this one. The story is that of Jeanne, a survivor of the mass genocide in Rwanda in 1994. Now living with a foster family in Germany, Jeanne told her story to her new mother, who in turn put the words on paper. It's not that the story itself isn't good, because it is...what that poor child went through is inconceivable to most. I was interested in the story line, but the way it was narrated bothered me.

First of all, at the start of every chapter, th...more
Jennifer Wardrip
Reviewed by Taylor Rector for TeensReadToo.com

OVER A THOUSAND HILLS I WALK WITH YOU is the horrifying novel that is based on a true story about the 1994 Rwandan genocide. This was a subject that I didn't know too much about until I read this book, which made me realize how horrible events such as this one are still happening in today's society. How we could let this happen is beyond me.

The book is written by the adoptive mother of Jeanne to tell the story that is often called the modern day Hol...more
Leanna

After complaining about it for weeks, I finally finished Over a Thousand Hills I Walk With You by Hanna Jansen. Not only did I finish the book, but I gave it four stars.

Now, I am not going to take back all of my previous complaints. This book was very difficult to get into. Weighing in at over 300 pages, Jansen would have done well to cut out the first 100 (and her editor should have advised her to do the same).

I understand why she included the first section. Those pages give background informa...more
Justin Mandia
This was a fantastic, heartbreaking story of a victim of Rwandan genocide and her battle to stay alive, even as her family is being killed around her. The genocide in Rwanda is a topic that not many people are very familiar with. I can honestly say that the only things that I knew about Rwandan genocide were taken from the movie Hotel Rwanda.

This book gives you an inside look at a young girl's struggle to survive while being persecuted by the rivaling tribe. She is forced into hiding, as the Hut...more
Sgmulvey
Review of 'Over a Thousand Hills I Walk With You' by Hanna Jansen
Young Jeanne is enjoying her life in Rwanda. She loves to tease and play with her big brother and best friend, often engaging in squabbles with her pesky little sister. She enjoys her grandmother’s amazing stories in the summer and school- at which her own mother teaches- in the winter. Yes, life is good for Jeanne- until 1994, when suddenly, everything changes. In only a few weeks, Jeanne loses everything to the Rwandan genocide:...more
Aubrey Schwalm
The book is about a girl who is stuck in the Rwanda Genocide. She witnesses horrific acts of killing and torture. In the book, she deals with the death of her entire family due to the militia and is forced to figure out how she can survive on her own. It's a book with a lot of moments where you want to hold your breath or close your eyes but it's a good one time read for people who don't do well with depressive novels. I had a hard time reading the novel so I paired it with Small Miracles of the...more
Kirsten Corcoran
I was rather surprised by how good this book was. It was assigned to us as part of a class curriculum and I did not expect to like it as much as I did. The story chronicles the life of a young girl named Jean before, during and after the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Jean is the only member of her family to survive and is even forced to watch her mother and brother die in front of her eyes. The novel really focuses on the bravery and inner turmoil of this young girl who struggles to adapt and survive...more
Bethany Foster
In all honesty, I was rather disappointed with this one. The story is that of Jeanne, a survivor of the mass genocide in Rwanda in 1994. Now living with a foster family in Germany, Jeanne told her story to her new mother, who in turn put the words on paper. It's not that the story itself isn't good, because it is...what that poor child went through is inconceivable to most. I was interested in the story line, but the way it was narrated bothered me.

First of all, at the start of every chapter, th...more
Daenerys
Written by the adoptive mother of a young girl who survived the Rwandan genocide, "Over a Thousand HIlls" follows 8-year-old Jeanne's ordeal as she sees her world torn apart by the war and her family killed because of ethnic distinctions she does not really understand. The description is vivid but seems to have lost some of its poignancy while being told by the protagonist to the narrator, although the parts written from the perspective of the adoptive mother clearly express her horror at the at...more
Jessica
A mediocre book that had so much potential. I did not chose to read this book but was instead assigned to read it for a book group for one of my english classes (I have never even heard of it until recently). After developing a mild interest in the genocides in Rwanda, I was initially excited to read this book. I have read other books of similar content, and have even seen a movie depicting these horrifying events, and have become emotionally invested in the stories of the people who have suffer...more
Jennie
I had anticipated this book to make me cry since it was non-fiction and about such a heartbreaking subject. Yet, I didn’t cry. I felt anguish and heartbreak for not only, Jeanne, but all that found themselves in the middle of the Rwanda genocide. I spent more time seeing this story as an example of the herd mentality, reading about how many seemed to hesitate before killing or beating but egged on by the taunts of their family and friends, they actually crossed over that line.


From a writing pers...more
Shea
This book is raw, honest, and holds your attention. However, I didn't love it. I can't put my finger on it, but something about it was definitely lacking. I'm almost struggling to even write a review about it because of how I almost felt nothing towards the book. This sounds harsh and awful because of the fact that this is a true story of a young girl who lost her family in the Rwandan genocide. But I'm thinking it is mostly the fault of the author and the writing style that made me feel emotion...more
Sophie
Nov 30, 2009 Sophie rated it 3 of 5 stars
Shelves: rwr
"Over A Thousand Hills I Walk With You" by Hanna Jensen is a young adult novel. This biography written about Hanna's adoptive daughters life, it shows the struggles of Jeanne (her daughters) life before she came to live with Hanna. It all started with the Rwanda Genocide in 1994, on one random night in April. Jeanne in third grade at the time, had to face the death of everyone in her family. This book takes you through the journey of Jeanne as she struggles being part of the Tutsis tribe while H...more
Sandra Strange
This gripping book tells the story of Jeanne, a Tutsi Rwandan living the typical life of a preteen going to school, involved with her family, competing with her sister, teased by her brother—until the genocidal conflict between Hutu and Tutsi tribes destroy everything she holds dear. The narrative is uneventful and sweet--until the horrors begin. The violence is brutal, so this book isn’t for the faint of heart. The book, written by Jeanne’s adopted mother, is “based on” Jeanne’s “real life expe...more
Christine
4Q, 3P, J, S
Dev Assets 1, 4, 16, 30, 34
Best Books, realistic. Written by the German adoptive mother of Jeanne, the real life protagonist, Over a Thousand Hills tells the heartbreaking story of a little Tutsi girl, who is safe in her home, status, identity, and future when the 1994 Rwanda genocide explodes into her life. The author uses a considerable chunk of the novel as a tribute to the loving and structured home Jeanne enjoyed until she became a refugee, fleeing and fighting to survive in her...more
Krista the Krazy Kataloguer
This novel is based on the true story of a young girl who survived the genocide of the Tutsis in Rwanda. Almost halfway through it I had to stop, because I knew bad things were going to happen. I didn't pick the book up again for over a week. I finally finished it today, and while I read I had to keep flipping to the dust jacket flap to the real Jeanne's picture to make sure she's happy now. I can't imagine being so young and going through such horror. I don't understand how you can murder someo...more
Melanie
This book was amazing. I saw it on the shelf on the library and I was nervous to read it but something made me pick it up. Most books similar to the German Holocaust make me depressed. This book was different granted it had it's sad moments, but the whole book filled me with hope and peace. It had so many moments of truth about life. The little girl who survived the genocide in Rowanda is an inspirtation and I think she pulls it off because she isn't trying to be she's just honest.
Corinneecomly
May 28, 2009 Corinneecomly rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: middle school and up with adult supervision and discussion
Powerful story of a young girl's survival through the Rwandan genocide. Written in three parts - before the genocide, during and after. Each chapter begins with some interactions and thoughts from the author who adopted Rwandan girl. Lots of description which gets a little laborious but the story is very powerful. Gives a glimpse into the horror of genocide.
Melody
I almost gave it five stars, and would highly recommend this book. It was the first time I had even immersed myself in Rwanda's genocide. What a sad plight in the history of humanity, and to think the world turned a blind eye. I enjoyed the author's style of writing as she took us through the horrors of her adopted daughter's experience.
Nichole Caton
I really enjoyed this YA novel. It was pretty slow in the beginning but once the ball started rolling it got very emotional and intense. I thought that this book was very informative and I learned a lot about the Rwandan Genocide. I think that this book could be a great companion in a world history class! It really opened my eyes.
JoAnna Wilkinson
Fantastic read! It only took me two days to read this fabulous book. It takes place during the Rwandian genocide and how a young girl barely escaped and how she lived through the ordeal. I don't want to give too much away but it is a must read! I cried several times during the duration of reading this. I give this book a 10/10.
Rima
i was recommended this by jason wallace, the author of 'out of shadows' and i can't wait to read it particularly since i learnt about the somalian genocide in my gcse history lesson. i've been fascinated to read a witness' in-depth perspective of the emotional war like the taliban war inafghanistan i read through kite runner.
Jess
I thought this book was very inspirational. At first I didn't think i was going to enjoy it, but once I started reading it I was hooked. Jeanne is such a strong girl and I admire her for her strength during such a tragedy. I don't know what I would have done if I were in her shoes. Truely an amazing book.
Giacomo Gubert
Sono colpito in particolare dal dialogo madre-figlia sotteso al racconto. Non posso non confrontarlo con quanto scritto da Immaculée Ilibagiza e sperare che Jeanne D'Arc Umubyeyi possa in qualche modo incontrare la stessa luce che ha trasformato, trasfigurato Immaculée.
Adrienne
In this story of the Rwandan genocide, Jeanne is child enjoying life with her parents and siblings in Rwanda. However, political unrest disrupts their lives, and the Hutus begin masscacring the Tutsis and looting their property. Jeanne's family seeks shelter, but they instead find themselves surrounded by their enemies, and Jeanne witness the murder of several of her family members, as well as other Tutsis.

This book is based on a true story, written by Jeanne's adoptive mother. It alternates bet...more
Kristina Hershey
This book deals with a Rwanda girl named Dede who comes from the Hutus tribe along with her sister, brother, mother, and father. The book describes what Dede had to go through during this genocide. She is a brave and enduring young girl that should have never had to endure the pain and suffering that she has gone through. Knowing that this story is true makes it all more heart wrenching. The only thing that i did not like about this book is that at the beginning of every chapter the author Janse...more
Alison
I thought this book was excellently written. It is such a sad tale to tell. I thought the first 100 pages where Jansen talked about Jeanne's life before was interesting.It's terrible to think that what's worte in this book actually happened...
Donna
Based on a true story of a teen that lived through the Rwandan genocide. She witnesses the brutal murder of her parents, and has to hide in the countryside to survive. Her adoptive German mother is the author of the story.
Ann
I'm in search of a book suitable for 9th graders that tells of African war tragedies.. this isn't it. Good insight into life as an African, but not particularly compelling.. Seems draggy and slow ..
Beverly
The devastation of the genocide in Rwanda and its effect on a young girl, is balanced by the insights into her adoptive family and the supportive relationship with her new mother.
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Over a Thousand Hills, I Walk with You (Paperback)
Über tausend Hügel wandere ich mit dir: Eine erschütternde Kindheit in Afrika
Ti Seguiro Oltre Mille Collineun'infanzia Africana
Over a Thousand Hills I Walk with You (ebook)
Over a Thousand Hills I Walk With You (Kindle Edition)

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I was born in Diepholz, Germany, in 1946.

Twenty years I worked as a teacher of art, German language and literature and wrote lesson units and texts for a large textbook publisher.

My first novel for young people was published in 2000, followed by three novels for children and young adults, as well as a long narrative for an anthology of world religions. My books have been translated into several la...more
More about Hanna Jansen...
Der gestohlene Sommer Herzsteine Gretha Auf Der Treppe El Sentido De La Vida (Infantil Y Juvenil)

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