It actually had a couple of minor flaws but I am giving this one a 5 because it had so much going for it - this is a "real life" story that illustrates the capability of children (but with much tragedy in the mix).

For anyone who as an adult has complained about "too much adulting" who has longed for some time to think about something that does not cause anxiety and heartache, consider Parvana. She's on the threshold of puberty, she wants to be whinging about homework and chores in between being cared for and fed, but instead she is trailing around Afghanistan abandoned, hungry, cold and with bombs and mines finding any refuge she manages to make for herself. She takes on THREE younger children and cares for them although being the leader is a lonely gig for her.

All of the children have to work hard and put up with a lot to survive.

There was nothing trivial about this story which seems well researched and sensitively written. The heart and humanity come through and somehow crumbs of hope are in the resilience and love of the characters. I like that the love in the book is gritty and real, siblings quarrel as much as anything else and hesitate to name their admiration and gratefulness for each other. The book present moral difficulties like fighting for limited resources and needing the misfortune of someone else to survive. It walks a good line between keeping the problem complicated and not answering unanswerable questions, but moving back always into the humanity and connection of the characters.


I want this book to be widely read, I will look out for the others. If people could see these stories maybe they would have some compassion. This is a brave and true book. Read it.