The Breadwinner (Breadwinner Series, 1)

Eleven-year-old Parvana lives in Kabul, Afghanistan, under the Taliban, and this multicultural middle school book shows us what life is like when they're in power. She and her sisters can't go to school. They're not even supposed to go outside, and neither is their mother, unless accompanied by a man. Women and teenage girls must wear a burqa, which covers their entire body and face, except for the eyes. Parvana and her family used to live in a big house, but the daily bombing, which has gone on for years, has destroyed almost everything they owned. Now they live in one room. Her father supports them by reading and writing letters for uneducated people. Even this existence is threatened when the Taliban break in and arrest her father for the crime of having gone to school in England. "Afghanistan doesn't need your foreign ideas," they tell him as they drag him off to prison. Soon the family runs out of money and food, a desperate situation since Parvana, her mother, and her sisters can't be outside unless they're with a man. A neighbor woman comes up with an idea: Parvana can dress as a boy, because boys can come and go freely. She agrees, and wears the clothing of an older brother who died. Since she knows how to read, she earns money the same way her father did and becomes the family breadwinner. Then the family gets exciting news--Parvana's older sister receives a proposal of marriage from the son of old family friends. They live in north Afghanistan, where there are no Taliban. A journey is quickly planned, but Parvana can't go because the friends know she is a girl. Her family can't let her secret get back to Kabul. Parvana stays with the neighbor woman, but then bad news arrives: the Taliban have invaded the very city where Parvana's family went for the wedding. Now what will she do? This book was a fast and absorbing read. The writing style is simple but the story is so powerful I could hardly put it down, and the spirit and resilience of Parvana and her family were inspirational. Author Deborah Ellis visited Afghan refugee camps and talked with many girls like Parvana. She is donating the royalties from this book to Women for Women in Afghanistan, dedicated to improving the lives of women there. Read about current conditions in Afghanistan in this article. Reading level: 10 and up. Parvana, her mother, and her father receive beatings, but the description is minimal. The girl witnesses a public punishment where men convicted as thieves each have one hand chopped off. No gory details, but it is a shocking moment.

Thoughts: I honestly can't walk two feet without being stopped and having this book recommended to me. This went on for about three years before I finally had enough of this and purchased the Breadwinner. And boy, am I glad I did. No one is more up for female rights than I am (I've probably written about a thousand female empowerment stories), and so this book instantly appealed to me. I loved I Am Malala, so hearing that this was in the same vein was immensely exciting. The Breadwinner is the kind of book that really anyone can read. Your age doesn't necessarily matter, since this book is written in a way that can transcend from eight to sixty year olds. But the writing wasn't what made this book impressive; the sheer character of Parvana herself, and the story she takes us along, is completely mindblowing. Sometimes, I had to stop myself and reread a section because it thrust me into disbelief. The things women had to go through under the rule of the Taliban - and STILL have to go through -.... it's just heartbreaking. This book serves not only to make us, as kids, aware of this difficult topic, but also spurs us to want to get involved. I was completely gripped the entire time while reading this book, and by the end of it, I was speechless. While, at some points, this is not the most engaging book per se, it is still a fascinating story that kids of all ages will enjoy.

My excelerated students are reading this so of course I wanted to read it. A very tragic story of what life is like for women in Afghanistan. Quick read.

Purchased for school. Exactly as described.

Great story. How lucky we are to be Americans. God bless the USA and our way of life. Capitalism is the ultimate short road to true, everlasting freedom!

This book managed to educate me on Afghanistan without going into too many details. It gave me hope in the human spirit. I am so glad I read it!

Excelente producto A++++++++

I am considering teaching this book in a remedial English class. The great points about this book mainly are its readability and the fact that Ellis puts in enough detail germane to the action of the plot, but almost no extraneous description, or details for details sake. If you look into Deborah Ellis, she seems to be a woman of action, and has raised literal tons of money through charity organizations for Women's organizations in Afghanistan. The action is fairly quick, and I read it in one sitting. Your typical high school student will not complain as each chapter is short, and the pages turn quickly. You very early become endeared to Parvana, the protagonist through her interaction with her family members. As the book progresses you feel the pangs to continue. A well written book for young adults. Similar to The Kite Runner.

I was told to read young adult books ages 11 to 14 and this was on the recommended list, along with many others that I ordered at the same time. This was the first on my pile of young adult books and I read it in a few hours. The trouble is, Ive been left stunned. We have heard Afghanistan's oppression of women and girls. This book makes what has been hear-say real. The women, the little girls are real. Locked up for ever in sunless rooms for life. Window glass painted black, so they rarely see the world. Im left stunned and horrified. But the people and the odd moments of kindness, the flashes of rebellion, the need to innovate and pretend, are there as well. If you are ever wondering why refugees are wandering far across the world, looking for freedom, then this book is for you. I would make it required reading in schools. The main character in the book is not real, but her story is. Read it and dont forget her.

Excellent story seen from the point of view of two young girls under the Taliban in Afghanistan then during the American war . 3 other books complete the story of these two very brave little girls. Amazing. Geared towards a young audience, it is highly readable by all.

Tutto perfetto.

Todo bien

Excelente servicio, el libro llegó muy bien empaquetado y sin demoras.