A Lovereading4Kids 'Debut of the Year 2011' selection.
11+. A touching and thought-provoking story set in contemporary Afghanistan, Words in the Dust uncovers how the lives of women and girls are changing. Zulaikha, a younger sister born with a disfiguring cleft palate, captures the details of the life of drudgery of herself and her older sister Zeynab as they help their step mother look after the house and their younger brothers.
Growing up under the Taliban, these girls have had had no chance of education; instead they think only of making a good marriage. But, the arrival of the American soldiers brings huge changes. Can Zulaikha’s face really be fixed? And can she have an education? So much suddenly seems possible.
In contrast, Zeynab’s marriage, arranged by their father and thought to be a great opportunity, goes horribly wrong.
Zulaikha hopes. She hopes for peace, now that the Taliban have been driven out of Afghanistan. She hopes for a better relationship with her hard stepmother. And she hopes one day even to go to school. Then she meets Meena, who offers to teach her the poetry she once taught her mother. And the Americans come to the village, promising not just new opportunities, but surgery to mend Zulaikha's face.
| Suitable For: | |
| Recommendations: |
the best books for 9-12 year olds · the best books for teenagers
Zulaikha hopes. She hopes for peace, now that the Taliban have been driven out of Afghanistan.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed Words in the Dust and determined it is suitable for children aged 11-14 years old
Words in the Dust features in the following genres: Featured Books for 11+ readers, Recommendations, Recommended Children's eBooks, Featured Books for 13+ readers
Paperback, Ebook. Not Available.
Words in the Dust was written by Trent Reedy and published by Frances Lincoln Childrens Books an imprint of Frances Lincoln Publishers Ltd