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Street Girl
Rozana McGrattan was a Brazilian street girl, living rough in the dangerous slums of São Paulo. She is now a successful business woman living in London, and her story Street Girl is full of drama, colour and inspiration. In this unique memoir we journey through an extraordinary life of homelessness, poverty and violence, with Rozana’s inner hope providing the only light in a city of darkness as she fights to escape and succeed, against insurmountable odds. Rozana’s tale is an inspiration to people all over the world, showing that abuse, exploitation and intimidation can be overcome with courage and belief, and that love can truly set you free.
244 pages, Paperback
Published June 9, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 4, 2016
The candid look at the violence rife in the darker streets of Brazil is deeply harrowing, and the things the author went through - even at a tragically young age - were nothing short of barbaric.
Street Girl is a tough read, but that doesn't take away from the book's importance. We as a people need to understand that the divide between rich and poor is too great, and that classism has become the world's cancer.
It would take great collective action to reverse the damage done to our society, but after reading Street Girl, you'll feel like taking those first few steps.
Street Girl is a tough read, but that doesn't take away from the book's importance. We as a people need to understand that the divide between rich and poor is too great, and that classism has become the world's cancer.
It would take great collective action to reverse the damage done to our society, but after reading Street Girl, you'll feel like taking those first few steps.
July 20, 2016
We received the book as a Goodreads giveaway.
Rozana McGrattin (Born Rozana Ramos) from personal experienc gives:
a harrowing insight of being born into extreme poverty in rural Brazil.
A frightening perspective of the life and times of the street kids in the city – where the police consider the street kids vermin, to be exterminated.
A reflection that with endurance and perseverance almost anyone can improve their lifestyle.
A quick easy read but very insightful – if not scary.
See article below for more info on Brazil Street Kid homicides.
http://www.telesurtv.net/english/news...
Rozana McGrattin (Born Rozana Ramos) from personal experienc gives:
a harrowing insight of being born into extreme poverty in rural Brazil.
A frightening perspective of the life and times of the street kids in the city – where the police consider the street kids vermin, to be exterminated.
A reflection that with endurance and perseverance almost anyone can improve their lifestyle.
A quick easy read but very insightful – if not scary.
See article below for more info on Brazil Street Kid homicides.
http://www.telesurtv.net/english/news...
July 21, 2016
I only gave this five stars because six is not available.
What an inspirational tale. I was dreading it a little because I could see it being a roller coaster with a lot of terrible things happening to this lass, and boy was I right.
Much like "Touching the Void" you find yourself having to turn repeatedly to the cover to remind yourself that the person enduring these awful experiences is also the author. It helps that I actually met Rozana and saw that she was a happy and well balanced individual.
What Rozana endures, from being born into abject poverty (although benefiting at least from a loving mother and father) leaving home at an early age and having to fight tooth and nail for every teeny bit of good fortune, is not only inspiring, but also humbling.
When one posts on social media about slow broadband, or working through lunch, and somebody comments "First World Problems" this is the sort of thing they are referring to.
I often say that even first world problems are still problems, but when held next to the events detailed in this book my problems are very insignificant.
When I don't feel like getting up in the morning, I need to think of the girl who had to be at the dentist's by three in the morning to get treatment.
Yet the tone of the book is not critical or patronising. Rozana repeatedly emphasises, not that she is better than others, or that she blames others for her difficulties; but that she blames herself for setbacks, and thanks others for advancement. Yet her indomitable determination, even in the face of clinical depression, is proof that the human spirit can win through even the worst hardship.
As well as comparing this to "Touching the Void" I want to compare it to a work of fiction. One of the finest books of all time "The Twelfth Angel" by Og Mandino.
Rozana's book is one which should be given to anyone who feels as though the whole world is against them. I would never suggest a book as an alternative to mental healthcare, but as an adjunct, or just for anyone having a hard time, this should be essential reading.
What an inspirational tale. I was dreading it a little because I could see it being a roller coaster with a lot of terrible things happening to this lass, and boy was I right.
Much like "Touching the Void" you find yourself having to turn repeatedly to the cover to remind yourself that the person enduring these awful experiences is also the author. It helps that I actually met Rozana and saw that she was a happy and well balanced individual.
What Rozana endures, from being born into abject poverty (although benefiting at least from a loving mother and father) leaving home at an early age and having to fight tooth and nail for every teeny bit of good fortune, is not only inspiring, but also humbling.
When one posts on social media about slow broadband, or working through lunch, and somebody comments "First World Problems" this is the sort of thing they are referring to.
I often say that even first world problems are still problems, but when held next to the events detailed in this book my problems are very insignificant.
When I don't feel like getting up in the morning, I need to think of the girl who had to be at the dentist's by three in the morning to get treatment.
Yet the tone of the book is not critical or patronising. Rozana repeatedly emphasises, not that she is better than others, or that she blames others for her difficulties; but that she blames herself for setbacks, and thanks others for advancement. Yet her indomitable determination, even in the face of clinical depression, is proof that the human spirit can win through even the worst hardship.
As well as comparing this to "Touching the Void" I want to compare it to a work of fiction. One of the finest books of all time "The Twelfth Angel" by Og Mandino.
Rozana's book is one which should be given to anyone who feels as though the whole world is against them. I would never suggest a book as an alternative to mental healthcare, but as an adjunct, or just for anyone having a hard time, this should be essential reading.
August 23, 2018
Very dark until the end. Not for the faint of heart. Hard to imagine all that happening to one person!
July 27, 2017
This account is from a real survivor who describes her turbulent life vividly with great insight and honesty.
I found the way she recalls her different feelings ,moods ,and the differing ways she deals with them over the years according to their severity fascinating.No spoilers.
Having read her story she then gives you an even deeper understanding of her experiences with her philosophy and poetry.
A very worthwhile honest read .
I found the way she recalls her different feelings ,moods ,and the differing ways she deals with them over the years according to their severity fascinating.No spoilers.
Having read her story she then gives you an even deeper understanding of her experiences with her philosophy and poetry.
A very worthwhile honest read .
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April 20, 2018This is a fantastic book extremely well written, honest and compelling.
This lady deserves all her happiness and success from all her hard work.
She writes beautifully from the heart and soul,without bitterness but with the hope that her book inspires others never to give up or drown in self pity. A truly incredible book by a very modest lady.
This lady deserves all her happiness and success from all her hard work.
She writes beautifully from the heart and soul,without bitterness but with the hope that her book inspires others never to give up or drown in self pity. A truly incredible book by a very modest lady.
August 11, 2016
Searing memoir by a young girl from an impoverished family in the south of Brazil, hurled into a frightening world of destitution, exploitative sex and drugs, domestic service akin to slavery and miserably paid work in Sao Paulo, before finding an epiphany of sorts in England.
May 28, 2016
For a review of Street Girl pls see https://cinderzena.wordpress.com/2016...
November 18, 2018
A very gripping story of hardship, circumstance and perseverance. Hope, strength and hard work to carry on and prevail for a better life.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews