Reviews

Afghanes by Suzanne Fisher Staples

meganrebert's review against another edition

1.0

I really didn't like this book at all. I would never recommend it because it took a very long time to get into. It was about a girl who is left all alone when her mother and baby brother die and her father and older brother are called to war. I thought the book was very sad and it just was not very exciting.

ivygracewild's review against another edition

5.0

This was an excellent book! One of those books that I think everyone should read. A book that should be on every school's "reading list."

The book takes place roughly 2001-2002 in Afghanistan and Pakistan following two people: one a shepherd girl from a fictional North Afghanistan village and the other the American wife of an Afghan doctor who is living near a refugee camp for Afghans in Pakistan while her husband works at a clinic in war torn Northern Afghanistan. A series of probable events brings these two people together.

The book shows Northern Afghan culture as well as a lot of the culture of Pakistan, from the wealthy University professors to more typical Pakistani to the poor and the refugees. It also shows recent events in the part of the world in a realistic light. (The author was a reporter and did volunteer work in Afghanistan and Pakistan during this time period.) Although the reading level and tone of the book are suitable for 4-8th graders, there is plenty here for discussion and thought for older students and adults.

readoodles's review against another edition

5.0

Permanently LOST. Najmah’s father and brother were abducted by the Taliban. Her mother and baby brother were killed in an American bombing of their village. Her greedy uncle covets her family’s land to grow and sell poppies to make opium. The only safe place for this Afghani girl may be in Pakistan, but to get there safely she must disguise herself as a boy, hide from the Taliban and scavange for food.

krissew21's review against another edition

5.0

I loved this book! This was one of my favorite forced reads from English class!

scgerrish's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

kamckim's review against another edition

4.0

I'm becoming a fan of Suzanne Fisher Staples. I first came across SHABANU when it was being taught as a classroom text for Grade 6. I remember that it was an excellent book that took place in a world that time seemed to have left untouched. Not so with this novel. When I finished UNDER THE PERSIMMON TREE, I immediately went to Staples' author page to see exactly how she could have described in detail the modern setting of Afghan refugees in Peshawar, the difference between Taliban and mujahideen, and the experience of an American who converts to Islam. It turns out her resume is impressive. She was a journalist and has traveled extensively in India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. It's fortunate for her reader that she turned her hand toward writing fiction. UNDER THE PERSIMMON TREE makes the plight of Afghanistan and Pakistan understandable on a very personal basis in a realistic way that leaves the reader better informed about the dangers of extremist religion. Her characters are lovingly and compassionately drawn. The end of the book leaves the reader wondering about the choices the characters make. Will they survive? How will they move on?

lindseygrant's review against another edition

3.0

I thought the book was okay but some parts still got very exciting.

0petao's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

dandelionfluff's review against another edition

3.0

I have mixed feelings about this book. It gives a brutally honest view into the war in Afghanistan, showing how American bombs literally tore apart families and forced refugees to Pakistan. It describes how a blonde-haired, blue-eyed American woman can be a faithful Muslim happily accepted by her husband's family. At first, I was incredibly skeptical of her validity, but by the end, there's nothing to question. Western views of Islam are challenged, too. There's a lot of good here. There's even this wonderful moment where characters are saying "Come to America. You can have everything there, everything you ever need," and others say no, they belong in Afghanistan. America can't give them what they truly want.

But, the ending is so abrupt with no indication of any outcome be it positive or negative. Is there a sequel? It just… drops off. We know that everyone's decisions are very difficult, but come naturally. I just feel like there's something missing all around here.

tsilverman's review against another edition

4.0

A carefully woven story of an American woman and an Afghani girl living and/or surviving in Afghanistan and Pakistan in the years immediately following the 9/11 attacks. A very engaging story with a perspective I've never read before. I only wish that it didn't switch between first person for Najmah's parts and third person for Nusrat's parts.