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More copies of this ISBNThis title in other editionsWords in the Dustby Trent Reedy
Synopses & ReviewsPublisher Comments:In the tradition of SHABANU, DAUGHTER OF THE WIND and THE BREADWINNER, a beautiful debut about a daughter of Afghanistan discovering new friends and opportunities after the defeat of the Taliban. Zulaikha hopes. She hopes for peace, now that the Taliban have been driven from Afghanistan; a good relationship with her hard stepmother; and one day even to go to school, or to have her cleft palate fixed. Zulaikha knows all will be provided for her--"Inshallah," God willing. Then she meets Meena, who offers to teach her the Afghan poetry she taught her late mother. And the Americans come to her village, promising not just new opportunities and dangers, but surgery to fix her face. These changes could mean a whole new life for Zulaikha--but can she dare to hope they'll come true? Review:"In his first novel, Reedy, a former soldier in Afghanistan, examines the restrictive experiences of contemporary Afghan girls through sympathetic 13-year-old narrator Zulaikha. Zulaikha's cleft palate makes her an object of ridicule for local merchants, bullies, and even her younger brother. Although Zulaikha's disability often relegates her to a serving and observing role, it allows her more freedom to leave her home than her 15-year-old sister, Zeynab, who will soon wed. Contact outside Zulaikha's family provides compelling insights for Zulaikha, such as her ad hoc education by Meena, a professor who knew and taught Zulaikha's bookish mother (a proclivity that led to her death), and with the American soldiers who offer to operate on her lip and teeth. 'Even with the swelling, I looked almost normal. And I had the Americans, as ignorant and wasteful as they were, to thank.' Within the family, the evolution of key relationships presents a nuanced look at family dynamics and Afghan culture. Though unsentimental and fraught with tragedy, Reedy's narrative offers hope and will go a long way toward helping readers understand the people behind the headlines. Ages 9 — 14. (Jan.)" Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) (Copyright PWyxz LLC) Synopsis:In the tradition of "Shabanu, Daughter of the Wind" and "The Breadwinner" comes a beautiful debut about a daughter of Afghanistan discovering new friends and opportunities after the defeat of the Taliban.
About the AuthorTrent Reedy Trent Reedy became fascinated with Afghanistan when he served there with the U. S. Army in 2004-2005. Upon his return to the United States, he enrolled in the Writing for Children MFA program at the Vermont College of Fine Arts, where he wrote the first drafts of this book. Born and raised in Iowa, where he taught high school English, Trent and his wife now live in Washington state. What Our Readers Are SayingAdd a comment for a chance to win!Average customer rating based on 2 comments:
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