Ana's Story: A Journey Of Hope

Ana's Story: A Journey of Hope is a work of narrative nonfiction based on Jenna's experiences while interning for UNICEF and documenting lives of children and teens she encountered through her work. The book focuses on Ana, a teenage single mother who is bravely living with, rather than dying from, HIV. Ana's determination has allowed her to overcome abuse and abandonment and fight for an education and a better future for her child. Inspired by the framework of one girl's life, it is also the story of many children around the world who are marginalized and excluded from basic care, support, and education. Jenna Bush sends a message of hope, inclusion and survival, and calls for youth involvement in helping other young people triumph over adversity.
The book features approximately 45 full color photographs taken by Mia Baxter, Jenna's friend and fellow UNICEF intern, as well as detailed backmatter including A Letter from Jenna Bush; You Can Make A Difference; Protect Yourself, Protect Others; What's the Real Deal? Ten Myths About HIV/AIDS; Do You Know the Whole Story? Ten Myths About Abuse; and Discussion Questions.

Ana's life is a collection of bits and pieces of her past. Infected with HIV at birth, she's unaware of many details of her early childhood and barely remembers her mother. Living with her strict grandmother, she learns how to keep secrets - secrets about her infection and about the abuse she endures at home. But after Ana falls in love and becomes pregnant at seventeen, she begins a journey of hope - a journey of protecting herself and others. She is living with HIV, not dying from it.

Jenna Bush tells of Ana's struggle to break free from the cycle of abuse, silence, and illness with passion and eloquence. But this is not just Ana's story. It is also the story of many children around the world who are marginalized, neglected, and mistreated.