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When I have a writing deadline approaching, you'll probably find me in the kitchen. It's horrible, I know, but when I work with a deadline, I tend... Continue »
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This title in other editions

eBook editions

Beneath My Mother's Feet

by Amjed Qamar

Beneath My Mother's Feet Cover

ISBN13: 9781416947288
ISBN10: 1416947280
All Product Details

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Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

"Our lives will always be in the hands of our mothers, whether we like it or not."

Nazia doesn't mind when her friends tease and call her a good beti, a dutiful daughter. Growing up in a working-class family in Karachi, Pakistan, Nazia knows that obedience is the least she can give to her mother, who has spent years saving and preparing for her dowry. But every daughter must grow up, and for fourteen-year-old Nazia that day arrives suddenly when her father gets into an accident at work, and her family finds themselves without money for rent or food.

Being the beti that she is, Nazia drops out of school to help her mother clean houses, all the while wondering when she managed to lose control of her life that had been full of friends and school. Working as a maid is a shameful obligation that could be detrimental to her future — after all, no one wants a housekeeper for a daughter-in-law. As Nazia finds herself growing up much too quickly, the lessons of hardship that seem unbearable turn out to be a lot more liberating than she ever imagined.

Synopsis:

Fourteen-year-old Nazia is an average Pakistani girl--until her father is injured and cannot work. Nazia is forced to drop out of school to become a maid. This shameful choice could be detrimental to her future, and she finds herself growing up much too quickly.
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About the Author

Amjed Qamar graduated from The Ohio State University with degrees in English and psychology. She currently resides in Ohio and works for the Dublin City School District. Amjed lived in Pakistan for several years and returns regularly. This is her first book.
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What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating based on 2 comments:
catie james, January 13, 2010 (view all comments by catie james)
Which path should you take when faced with the choice between your own dreams and the needs of the people you love most? That is precisely the dilemma facing Amjed Qamar's fourteen year old protagonist, Nazi, in her debut novel, BENEATH MY MOTHER'S FEET. When her father is injured on the job, Nazia's world is thrown into chaos when she must quit school to help her mother clean houses in order to earn a living for her family. As Nazia is forced to deal ever-increasing burdens, leading her to question beliefs she once accepted as absolute and confront an unknown future that previously seemed so certain.

The best stories are those with universal themes to which anyone can relate, with enough unique details and fresh perspectives to keep the reader's interest, and Qamar does this with an expert's grace. Her writing is spare and elegant, giving readers an insider's view to daily life in modern-day Pakistan. The characters are like any flesh and blood human being--loving, devoted, but not without their flaws; and anyone looking for a young female lead boasting a driving force beyond boys, designer labels, or social status will be thrilled with Qamar's central character.

BENEATH MY MOTHER'S FEET is a spectacular, thought-provoking work of fiction that will stay with the reader long after the story's end.

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nataliesears, July 17, 2008 (view all comments by nataliesears)
Although this book is for young adult readers, I (an adult) read this book in almost one sitting and was completely carried away by the story. Ms Qamar writes in such a way that draws you in and gives you a snapshot of life in a Pakistani town. You gain a better understanding of their culture, their deep loyalty to family and their everyday ways of life. You'll instantly fall in love with the main charachter, Nazia, who is just a young girl enjoying school, friends, her family and the every day perils and adventures of growing up. That is until her mother takes her out of school so she can help earn money for the family. What Nazia experiences teaches her many things, tests her own loyalty to her family and teaches her how to deal with personal struggles. Days after reading this book, I was still thinking about Nazia and all that she experienced. This is definitely a must read for all age groups!
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Product Details

ISBN:
9781416947288
Author:
Qamar, Amjed
Publisher:
Atheneum Books
Subject:
Poverty
Subject:
Sex role
Subject:
Family - Multigenerational
Subject:
Girls & Women
Subject:
Religious - Other
Subject:
Family
Subject:
Children s-Reference Family and Genealogy
Publication Date:
20080631
Binding:
HARDCOVER
Grade Level:
Young adult
Language:
English
Pages:
208
Dimensions:
8.25 x 5.5 in
Age Level:
12-12
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Beneath My Mother's Feet New Hardcover
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Product details 208 pages Atheneum Books - English 9781416947288 Reviews:
"Synopsis" by , Fourteen-year-old Nazia is an average Pakistani girl--until her father is injured and cannot work. Nazia is forced to drop out of school to become a maid. This shameful choice could be detrimental to her future, and she finds herself growing up much too quickly.
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