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Anela's Club
238 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 10, 2024
5 people are currently reading
10 people want to read
About the author
D. K. Yamashiro
1 bookAs a teen, D. K. Yamashiro survived falling four hundred feet from a ridge in Hawaii, suffering severe brain injuries. Years of recovery involved a camel ride at the Pyramids of Giza, swimming in the Mediterranean Sea, hiking up Masada, sledding down the Great Wall of China, exploring underground caves in the Black Hills, and speaking to crowds in East Africa and Brazilian favelas. A master's at Harvard and summer studies at Oxford preceded a PhD with research on childhood traumas of American presidents. Yamashiro resides in Brookline, Massachusetts, and is an affiliate at MIT.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 10, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed Anela’s Club. It was one of those books that as I neared the end, I was sad, knowing it would soon be over. D.K. Yamashiro is masterful at painting word pictures, placing you right there beside Anela, seeing the things she sees, feeling the things she feels. Throughout the book, Yamashiro tells historically true, little-known anecdotes of many great world leaders who suffered childhood trauma and how it propelled them to positions of prominence. Their stories are interwoven in and throughout Anela’s story like a double helix and serve to shape and mold her into a brilliant young scholar destined for greatness. I am pleased to give Anela’s Club five stars and two thumbs-up! I think you will enjoy it as well.
March 19, 2024
This was such a great book. It is intended for young adults but as a senior, I thoroughly enjoyed this story of Anela and how she rises above pain, heartache, suffering, circumstances beyond her control...you know what life throws at us 'ready or not'. Beautifully written. You will love Anela's Club as not only does Anela rise above but she helps others around her do the same. Don't miss this. I believe it is D. K. Yamashiro's first novel and it is a winner!
March 26, 2024
This is an incredible book! It was recommended to me after I had coffee with one of their friends, the author of this book.
This novel is engaging, easy to read, so hard to put down! It gives hope, insight into dealing with difficulties in life, and helps us dream!
I won’t say anymore than this but it’s interesting how people respond to trauma.
This novel is engaging, easy to read, so hard to put down! It gives hope, insight into dealing with difficulties in life, and helps us dream!
I won’t say anymore than this but it’s interesting how people respond to trauma.
September 13, 2024
Such a great read! I connected with Anela on the level of experiencing a deep loss and loved that although it pains her, she strives to keep their memory alive and also safe within her. Strength and striving are her greatest qualities.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 29, 2024
Anela's Club brings an intriguingly fresh perspective to the challenges of growing up in today's world. This new novel is a wonderfully positive book about love and resilience.
February 9, 2025
No one ever fully recovers from a loss, and when it’s your brother—the person you look up to, idolize, and adore—the pain and sorrow become even more profound. Anela Lee lost her brother two months ago. Jake was a 17-year-old football star who died when he was tackled, resulting in a snapped neck and severed spinal cord.
Today, Anela’s family is forever changed; she knows it will never be the same. Her father left without a word, disappearing from their lives as if he never existed. His departure created an emptiness that her mother struggled to handle, especially after losing Anela’s brother, which made her even more sad. Anela feels completely alone, trying to manage the difficulties life has thrown at her.
As the days went by, Anela’s situation worsened. Her grades began slipping significantly, and she became dangerously close to being suspended. The weight of her struggles felt even heavier, knowing she no longer had her brother around for guidance or protection. He had always been her support system, and his absence left her feeling vulnerable and lost.
In moments of desperation, when she longed for her brother’s reassuring presence, Anela would often find herself reflecting on a quote he used to share with her during tough times:
When it all looks like it’s falling apart, find that one thing, no matter how small, that is positive. Let that be your beacon.
This advice became her lifeline, reminding her to seek out even the tiniest slivers of hope amidst the overwhelming darkness.
“Anela’s Club” by D.K. Yamashiro will inspire a diverse audience. Anela confronts the everyday challenges that many teenagers face. With her walnut brown skin, an Italian mother, and her father’s Asian eyes, she embodies a rich cultural identity. Although she has faced bullying and wrestles with insecurities about her race and color, she remains resilient. As she walks to a friend’s house in a more affluent part of town, her encounter with a police car reminds her of the world’s harsh realities. Yet, she carries within her a strength that defies prejudice, knowing that her skin is reason enough for someone to abuse you, but also a testament to her courage and individuality.
D.K. Yamashiro has beautifully introduced us to Anela, a resilient, intelligent, and beautiful girl who truly captures your heart. It warms my soul to see characters like Miss DeGracia, a dedicated social studies teacher, step in to help Anela discover her passion for government through a meaningful field trip. Yamashiro does an excellent job of sharing the stories of U.S. Presidents, highlighting their struggles and triumphs, which serve as powerful inspirations for so many. From the first page, you are drawn into Anela’s world, and you can’t help but feel a deep connection to her courage, growth, and determination. It’s a journey that resonates on so many levels.
This book felt like a breath of fresh air for me, and as a teacher, it holds great importance for all middle and high school students. It deserves a place in libraries, counselor’s offices, and even among coaches. The valuable lessons it imparts are essential, especially considering the harsh realities our young people face today—challenges surrounding diversity, bullying, and poverty. “Anela’s Club” by D.K. Yamashiro touches on these deeply relevant topics, making it an essential resource for fostering understanding and empathy. That’s why I wholeheartedly give it five stars.
Today, Anela’s family is forever changed; she knows it will never be the same. Her father left without a word, disappearing from their lives as if he never existed. His departure created an emptiness that her mother struggled to handle, especially after losing Anela’s brother, which made her even more sad. Anela feels completely alone, trying to manage the difficulties life has thrown at her.
As the days went by, Anela’s situation worsened. Her grades began slipping significantly, and she became dangerously close to being suspended. The weight of her struggles felt even heavier, knowing she no longer had her brother around for guidance or protection. He had always been her support system, and his absence left her feeling vulnerable and lost.
In moments of desperation, when she longed for her brother’s reassuring presence, Anela would often find herself reflecting on a quote he used to share with her during tough times:
When it all looks like it’s falling apart, find that one thing, no matter how small, that is positive. Let that be your beacon.
This advice became her lifeline, reminding her to seek out even the tiniest slivers of hope amidst the overwhelming darkness.
“Anela’s Club” by D.K. Yamashiro will inspire a diverse audience. Anela confronts the everyday challenges that many teenagers face. With her walnut brown skin, an Italian mother, and her father’s Asian eyes, she embodies a rich cultural identity. Although she has faced bullying and wrestles with insecurities about her race and color, she remains resilient. As she walks to a friend’s house in a more affluent part of town, her encounter with a police car reminds her of the world’s harsh realities. Yet, she carries within her a strength that defies prejudice, knowing that her skin is reason enough for someone to abuse you, but also a testament to her courage and individuality.
D.K. Yamashiro has beautifully introduced us to Anela, a resilient, intelligent, and beautiful girl who truly captures your heart. It warms my soul to see characters like Miss DeGracia, a dedicated social studies teacher, step in to help Anela discover her passion for government through a meaningful field trip. Yamashiro does an excellent job of sharing the stories of U.S. Presidents, highlighting their struggles and triumphs, which serve as powerful inspirations for so many. From the first page, you are drawn into Anela’s world, and you can’t help but feel a deep connection to her courage, growth, and determination. It’s a journey that resonates on so many levels.
This book felt like a breath of fresh air for me, and as a teacher, it holds great importance for all middle and high school students. It deserves a place in libraries, counselor’s offices, and even among coaches. The valuable lessons it imparts are essential, especially considering the harsh realities our young people face today—challenges surrounding diversity, bullying, and poverty. “Anela’s Club” by D.K. Yamashiro touches on these deeply relevant topics, making it an essential resource for fostering understanding and empathy. That’s why I wholeheartedly give it five stars.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews