The Breadwinner

This book helps us know about the types of crisis taking place in Afghanistan. We see things on the news but they often ignore the reality of life for Afghan children. This book is filled with drama, action and suspense. The ending is ambiguous but it motived me to read the other books in the series. It also made for an interesting discussion with other readers. The book is violent and depressing at times but Parvana, the main character, always finds her way out of the problem. She is brave and helpful to her family, and her courage is what makes you like her. You never know what will happen next. Every happy moment for Parvana is soon interrupted by something bad happening. In the end though, the author left us with hope for Parvana, and Afghanistan.

The Breadwinner is a well-written novel got anyone who wants to learn about life in Afgamistan under the Taliban or world issues. At times the story is severe.

The Breadwinner takes place in Kabul, the capial of Afganistan during the Taliban's rule before the events of September 11th. The main character is 11 year-old Parvana who struggles to survive with her mom, father, sisters Nooria and Miriam and her younger brother Ali, in a tiny one-rrom apartment. The children are not allowed to attend school. Taliban law also forbids women to leave their home unless they wear the traditional burqa and are chaperoned by a male relative. Parvana becomes the family's sole means of support--its breadwinner. It's Parvana's bravery, resourcefulness and independence helps him survive.

The Breadwinner is a serious novel for children. Anyone who wants to read a fictionalized account of life in a war zone should read this pick. Also, enjoy the recent publication Breadwinner Trilogy which allows young readers to have all three Parvana novels together for a complete series to read!

By: Jan P.

This story is about a girl named Parvana. She is in Grade 6. It takes place in Afghanistan, in present time after the Taliban take over. The story begins in a market in Kabul where Parvana and her father are working. At the beginning of the story, the Taliban kidnap Parvana's father. Parvana dresses up as a boy and goes and works in the market to make money to buy her family food. Mrs. Weera, a friend of Mother's, moves in to help with the family and begins a secret school. Parvana's older sister gets married and the family moves to Mazar. Parvana stays home, waiting for Father to return, and continues to work in the market with her friend Shauzia. In the end, Father returns and they both begin the trip up to Mazar to rescue their family from the Taliban, who has recently taken over that area.

I liked how the author explained about all the things that were going on in Afghanistan. She wrote about each event in good detail.

I felt that the story moved slowly sometimes; I would have liked a bit more action in the story. I would have liked to have known how the story ended. For instance, I wanted to learn what happened to Shauzia when she tried to go to France. I also wanted to know what happened to Mother, Nooria, Maryam, and Ali when the Taliban took over Mazar.

The Breadwinner was a wonderful book that made me think about how lucky I am to live in Canada. This book is very well written and realistic. I hope that it comes in first or second in the Red Maple awards.