A daughter of Afghanistan discovers new friends and opportunities after the defeat of the Taliban. Zulaikha 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 the village, promising not just new opportunities and dangers, but surgery to fix her face. These changes could mean a whole new life for Zulaikha.
See the review at WOW Review Volume 5, Issue 4
- ISBN: 9780545261258
- Published: 2011 , Scholastic Inc.
- Themes: Gender, Hope, Literacy, oppression, power
- Descriptors: Afghanistan, Asia, Intermediate (ages 9-14), Realistic Fiction
- No. of pages: 272