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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
I enjoyed this book about one girl's experience as a bascha posh in Afghanistan. Obayda's father loses a leg while on a trip to a pharmacy with her to get her medicine. It results in them moving from Kabul to a more rural part of the country, one where a warlord watches everything. To increase their luck, Obayda's aunt suggests that they turn her into a bascha posh or a boy. During that time, Obayda discovers new freedoms and makes a new friend. What will happen when they want to change her back?
I thought the book got a little explain-y at times. Characters would talk about facts in a way that I'm not sure a real conversation would flow. Otherwise, for an initial look at gender differences and this specific aspect of Afghan culture, it is an excellent start.
Thank you, Rockland Public Library, for loaning me this book.
I thought the book got a little explain-y at times. Characters would talk about facts in a way that I'm not sure a real conversation would flow. Otherwise, for an initial look at gender differences and this specific aspect of Afghan culture, it is an excellent start.
Thank you, Rockland Public Library, for loaning me this book.
informative
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
One Half from the East tells the story of a ten year old girl who transforms into a little boy in hopes of bringing good fortune to her family. It's an exciting coming- of-age journey set in modern day Afghanistan that I thought was very well written.
One Half from the East is the story of Obayd, a boy whose family turned him from girl into boy, called bacha posh, in Afghanistan in order to bring hope to the family. Obayd, once known as Obayda, is called upon to be the boy of the family and bring hope for his father, mother, and three sisters. He is told to play, to run errands alone in public, and to go to school as a boy. At first he is wary of this new responsibility, and sure that everyone will see right through him and never accept him as a boy, but he soon realizes the freedom this decision affords him and takes control of his life.
I really like the dialogue this opens up about gender/gender-roles in different countries including the US. Is there really that much difference between boys and girls? And what is it that truly separates them? These are the questions raised in Hashimi’s book.
I also think it’s incredibly important to have more Afghani fiction, especially stories like this that don’t demonize the culture. America seems often to be blind or ignorant to Middle Eastern cultures and how they actually function, so it’s great to see an Afghani-American author writing stories like this that challenge global thought.
Hashimi also opens up discussion around what it means to have a disability. She attempts to show readers that it is not the end of the world and also that family and friendships can help combat some of challenge that present of fitting into society with disabilities. Obayd’s father is disabled in an accident at the beginning of the story, and it takes nearly the entire book for him to come around, but in the end, he is supported by his family and finds a new way to bring himself joy and to fit in.
I really like the dialogue this opens up about gender/gender-roles in different countries including the US. Is there really that much difference between boys and girls? And what is it that truly separates them? These are the questions raised in Hashimi’s book.
I also think it’s incredibly important to have more Afghani fiction, especially stories like this that don’t demonize the culture. America seems often to be blind or ignorant to Middle Eastern cultures and how they actually function, so it’s great to see an Afghani-American author writing stories like this that challenge global thought.
Hashimi also opens up discussion around what it means to have a disability. She attempts to show readers that it is not the end of the world and also that family and friendships can help combat some of challenge that present of fitting into society with disabilities. Obayd’s father is disabled in an accident at the beginning of the story, and it takes nearly the entire book for him to come around, but in the end, he is supported by his family and finds a new way to bring himself joy and to fit in.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A powerful story set in Afghanistan where a young girl takes on the role of the only son in her family. It encourages discussion of gender roles, social norms, culture and child marriage. I'm looking forward to reading it's companion story.
This story explored gender themes in middle school with deft, gorgeous prose. As a YA book, it shines not only for embedding the characters so thoroughly in their setting, but also for giving them realistic, shifting emotions that have strong effects on the plot. Seeing through their eyes is powerful.
