#1 on the Edmonton Journal's Bestsellers list (Edmonton Nonfiction) for the week of November 27, 2015 The Edmonton Journal -- The Edmonton Journal, Nov 2011
"Roberta Laurie, a former Rotarian, has written a book that is both heart warming and sobering. On the one hand, we read about young women experiencing life changing educational success. On the other hand, we read about the challenges girls and women experience in rural Malawi, one of the poorest countries in the world.... [The book] portrays the development of a courageous, visionary leader.... In addition, the book is rich with the history, culture, geography, and politics of Malawi. This material is deftly presented as the context for the development of [the school].... The emphasis on the stories of Memory, Christie, and the students move the narrative forward and capture and hold readers' interest." [Full article at http://bit.ly/1ZBUFAm] -- Dean Wood -- ClubRunner, 20160104
"Most everyone has a place that inspires reflection and contentment: a Paris café, a salmon run on the Miramichi River, your grandmother's kitchen table. Roberta Laurie is an Alberta Rotarian who finds her place at a Malawian school for girls. The result is intriguing and joyful. "Weaving A Malawi Sunrise" never patronizes. Laurie is a delightful writer.... "Weaving A Malawi Sunrise" is kind and eloquent, by turn angry and evocative..." [Full article at https://www.blacklocks.ca/review-one-day-at-the-rotary-club] -- Holly Doan -- Blacklock's Reporter, 20151212
The result is a powerful blend of biography, social and political probe of Malawi and a top recommendation for any womens studies or social issues collection. The Bookwatch, January 2016
"...very highly recommended for academic library Contemporary African Studies reference collections..." - Julie Summers, Reviewer's Bookwatch, Feb 2016
"Laurie's moving book about gender and education in Malawi chronicles the construction of a girls school through the heroic efforts of educator Memory Chazeza and her Canadian collaborators (including the author). The books chapters alternate between stories of women the author met in Malawi while working alongside Chazeza, vignettes from Chazezas life, and essential sociopolitical context about Malawi. With a gripping narrative and touching personal stories, the book is very accessible... Summing Up: Recommended. General readers and lower-division undergraduates." C. Pinto, Choice Magazine, May 2016 [Full review at http://bit.ly/1NGTES5]
#5 on the Edmonton Journal's Non-fiction Bestsellers list for the week ofJune 03, 2016. -- The Edmonton Journal, 20160603
