From the Bookshelf of Mock Newbery 2026…
Find A Copy At
Group Discussions About This Book
No group discussions for this book yet.
What Members Thought
Sweet and caring Zulaikah is the second-oldest girl in her large family. They live in a small village in Afghanistan—a country that places a lot of importance on marriage prospects for their children. For Zulaikah, this reality is hard to take because she has a cleft palate, which makes her less desirable for a match in marriage. After watching her sister get married to an older wealthy man, Zulaikah wonders what her life will become other than helping to raise her younger siblings and doing cho
...more
This book haunts me, as it should. I've always been fascinated (and sometimes horrified) by the middle eastern culture and its mores. It takes place just after the rule of the Taliban had been defeated and during the occupation of US troops. It is written by an eyewitness, a US army soldier stationed in Afghanistan. It seems very realistic. I came to care greatly for the characters, especially sisters Zulaikha and Zeynab. So their sorrow became my sorrow, and I grieved for beautiful Zeynab along
...more
A really good story about a girl in Afghanistan and how she got help from American soldiers.
For awhile I thought this book had too many plot threads, trying to do both the cleft palate storyline and the literacy storyline, but actually, it all came together nicely. I retain a few doubts--not about the authenticity, because I see that everything was vetted and re-vetted, and all the details feel great--it just seems a little odd, this story told by a member of the American military. It is sort of swoop-in-and-save-the-day. But what do I know? Maybe that's how it really was. (Obviously t
...more
Trent Reedy's experiences helped shape this touching, sometimes harsh look at women and girls in Afghanistan. I enjoyed the details of Afghan daily life, ancient poetry, a wedding and rebuilding of this war-torn country. The introduction by Katherine Paterson and afterword by Reedy added to my enjoyment. I am intrigued to learn more about this interesting country.
Audio note; read by Ariana Delwari, an Afghan-American. Delwari's beautiful accent and authentic music interspersed throughout the boo ...more
Audio note; read by Ariana Delwari, an Afghan-American. Delwari's beautiful accent and authentic music interspersed throughout the boo ...more
Nov 29, 2010
Rachel
marked it as to-read
Jul 03, 2011
Laura5
marked it as to-read
Jul 20, 2011
Alison
marked it as to-read
Aug 25, 2011
Katharine
marked it as to-read
Dec 05, 2011
June
marked it as to-read
Dec 05, 2011
Barbara
marked it as to-read
Dec 11, 2011
Julie
marked it as to-read
Dec 31, 2011
Jodi
marked it as to-read
Jan 13, 2012
alisonwonderland (Alison)
marked it as to-read
May 14, 2015
Marisa
marked it as to-read
