Author: Trent Reedy
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
Reviewer: Sue
Summary: This book is set in Afghanistan, and even though the Taliban is no longer in power, their influence is still very much a part of life. Zulaikha, the 13-year-old daughter of a traditional father, and his second wife (Zulaikha’s mother was killed by the Taliban for having books) has a cleft palate, which makes her less desirable for a match in marriage. Living with the deformity has brought a lot of bullying, cruelty, and name calling to Zulaikha’s life. After a chance meeting with Meena, a former professor, who is going to teach her to read, the American soldiers come into town and offer Zulaikha a chance to fix her cleft palate. This book introduces many aspects of life in Afghanistan, the economy, daily rituals, and traditions in a compelling story about a young girl.
Review: In the Author’s Note it tells that the story of Zulasikha was based on a real Afghani girl that the author met while he was stationed in Afghanistan. It is a heart wrenching story of a young girl, with a facial deformity, living in a society that places a lot of importance on marriage prospects. This wonderful, yet painful story shows the impact of changing the life of one girl, and how that can affect so many others. It is a powerful book that stays with you.
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