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Bush's Daughter In Brandon To Promote Book

Jenna Bush signs books at Books-A-Million in Brandon.

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By D'ANN LAWRENCE WHITE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 8, 2007

Updated: 11/08/2007 03:58 pm

Ana's Story | Photos

BRANDON - Although it's a story about a Latin American orphan born HIV-positive, sexually abused and pregnant at age 16, "Ana is a lot like many teenagers in the United States," said Jenna Bush, daughter of President Bush.

"In fact, she reminds me a lot of me when I was 17," she said.

Jenna Bush, 25, spoke today to customers at Books-A-Million at Westfield Brandon mall, where she signed copies of her book, "Ana's Story: A Journey of Hope."

She said she was inspired to write the book after documenting the stories, or historias de vida, of children in Latin America and the Caribbean as an intern for UNICEF in 2006.

A typical teen, Ana loves listening to Latin pop music star Shakira and taught Bush how to do the bachata, a popular Dominican Republic dance.

Also like other teens, Bush believes Ana would not have overcome the obstacles in her life without friends, mentors, educators and spiritual leaders.

"It's something all children need," she said. "All the children and teens we met had hard lives. And when I first began interviewing Ana, I ignorantly thought she would be scared and sad and would have trust issues. I didn't know she'd already gotten the help she needed and had talked about her problems. By the time I met her, she was incredibly positive. She said, 'This is the way God created my life. What is the point in being sad?' "

Rather than being depressing, "Ana's Story" is intended to be inspirational, Bush said.

"Yes, 2.3 million children in the world live with AIDS, and millions live with abuse," she said. "But as Ana showed us, small gestures of kindness can make a big difference."

Bush encouraged people to become volunteers, teachers, tutors and mentors to children needing a helping hand and to educate themselves about AIDS, sexual abuse and other issues affecting children. The final chapters of the book are a primer on AIDS and abuse, including myths about HIV and AIDS.

While in Jamaica, Bush said she was interviewing some young boys who are HIV-positive who told her they had to keep their condition a secret or they would be stoned to death.

Most of those attending the book signing said they hadn't had a chance to read "Ana's Story," but they were impressed with Bush's commitment.

"I admire her and really wanted to meet her," said Darlene Masterson of Apollo Beach.

Reporter D'Ann Lawrence White can be reached at (813) 657-4524 or dlwhite@tampatrib.com.

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