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madleb's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
kelleemoye's review against another edition
4.0
The Taliban has been in full control of Kabul, Afghanistan for years now. Because of this take-over, girls are no longer allowed to go to school, women must wear burqas when they leave the house only accompanied by men, and all females in general are pretty much stuck in their homes. The heroine of this novel, Parvana, wants more than anything to be a normal girl again, but for now she much be happy with going to the marketplace daily with her father. Even this small amount of happiness is taken from her, though, when her father is arrested for attending a university in Britain. With him gone, how are Parvana and her family going to survive without a male?
This book taught me about Afghan history and culture. I did not know the extent of the war and terror. I am grateful for Parvana and her family for showing me their life.
This book taught me about Afghan history and culture. I did not know the extent of the war and terror. I am grateful for Parvana and her family for showing me their life.
andreannechat's review against another edition
4.0
Beautiful and important. Will add to my classroom library.
taha_zahir107's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
kamckim's review against another edition
3.0
Great fiction for middle years, similar to Susanne Fisher Staples' SHABANU. Set in Afghanistan, the book tells the story of Parvana. Although she is a girl, she is forced to dress and work as a boy when her father is arrested and none of the other women are allowed to provide. Through various trials and close-calls with the Taliban, Parvana manages to sustain a quality of living for her family in a war-ravaged country.
courtnayy_j's review against another edition
3.0
Courtney Nelson Response:
The Breadwinner is the first book out of Deborah Ellis' trilogy. Ellis' book follows Parvana, an 11 year old in Afghanistan, and her family as they endeavor to survive under Taliban rule. Soon into the novel, Taliban soldiers arrest her father for pursuing education at an out-of-country university and the rest of the family must struggle to uncover information about his whereabouts. The inspiration for this novel stems from time Ellis spent interviewing women and girls in refugee camps in Pakistan.
I really enjoyed this book. I found the narrative to be raw and a wonderful insight into the harsh lives that women in other cultures endure. Parvana is inspirational for her strength and a reminder that we are so fortunate to live in a country where we aren't so fully restricted by our gender. Parvana's courage to pass as a male in order to carry out the family duties is empowering.
The Breadwinner is the first book out of Deborah Ellis' trilogy. Ellis' book follows Parvana, an 11 year old in Afghanistan, and her family as they endeavor to survive under Taliban rule. Soon into the novel, Taliban soldiers arrest her father for pursuing education at an out-of-country university and the rest of the family must struggle to uncover information about his whereabouts. The inspiration for this novel stems from time Ellis spent interviewing women and girls in refugee camps in Pakistan.
I really enjoyed this book. I found the narrative to be raw and a wonderful insight into the harsh lives that women in other cultures endure. Parvana is inspirational for her strength and a reminder that we are so fortunate to live in a country where we aren't so fully restricted by our gender. Parvana's courage to pass as a male in order to carry out the family duties is empowering.
wordyanchorite's review against another edition
3.0
When the Taliban imprison her father and ban her mother and sister from leaving the house, it is up to young Parvana to pretend to be a boy in order to support her family.
Ellis's straightforward writing makes this an easy read, but too much is left unresolved, events play out too quickly, and some of the characters (particularly Parvana's siblings) are left underdeveloped. There ought to have been another 150 pages of this book.
Ellis's straightforward writing makes this an easy read, but too much is left unresolved, events play out too quickly, and some of the characters (particularly Parvana's siblings) are left underdeveloped. There ought to have been another 150 pages of this book.
erinmp's review against another edition
4.0
Parvana is eleven years old and living in the Taliban-controlled city of Kabul, Afghanistan. She spends her days with her father in the market where he earns money by reading and writing letters, since most of the country is illiterate. Parvana misses school, but at least she gets to get outside of the family's tiny one-room apartment, unlike her older sister who is not allowed. Then one night four members of the Taliban burst into Parvanas home and arrest her father. With no way of knowing if he is still alive or will return, Parvana's family decide to cut her hair and pass her off as a boy in order to work in the market and support the family.
Wonderful and amazing book about Afghanistan for younger readers. Parvana is a little girl that many can relate to, despite her vastly different life. Although much of what happened under the Taliban control has been toned down a little (chopping off hands instead of stoning in the stadium), it is a good introduction to the lives of many women and children during the horrific era. Highly recommended.
Wonderful and amazing book about Afghanistan for younger readers. Parvana is a little girl that many can relate to, despite her vastly different life. Although much of what happened under the Taliban control has been toned down a little (chopping off hands instead of stoning in the stadium), it is a good introduction to the lives of many women and children during the horrific era. Highly recommended.