Before I comment on the book, I have to say something about the writer. Ali told her story to Delphine Minoui who is responisble for the actual written word. In some ways, this makes the story read strangely. It is ten year old, but the voice at times is far, far older than ten. In part, this must be so the novel can be read by adults, but it does give it a bit strange feel to the tone. Also, I think that the lack detail, in particular about the legal aspects of the case was done for two reasons (1) it is Ali's story from her pov so she would lack that knowledge and (2) so the book can be read by non-adults. I'm not extactly sure if I like this style, though I did find the book compelling.

Unless, you've been living under a rock, and considering what some people don't know, it is entirely possible, you've heard this story on the news. You may not have remembered the girl's name but you heard the story. Nujood was married at age 10 to man in his thirties. Her family is poor and uneducated. The marriage, in part, seems to have been a way to reduce the number of mouths to feed (according to Ali's father it was to stop her from being kidnapped). Supposedly, Nujood's husband swore that he wouldn't touch her until a year after she started her cycle. He lied.

Somehow, Nujood worked up the courage to escape and demand a divorce. This is her story, not just about the marriage, but about her family before and after the divorce. While the focus is on women's issues, there is also a sense that many of these issues are caused by poverty. Mona, Ali's older sister, loeses custody of her daughter. Her mother-in-law takes the child because a child make begging more profitable. This book is a good companion piece to Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide.