My Name Is Parvana

By Author / Illustrator

Deborah Ellis

Genre

Adventure

Age range(s)

Publisher

Oxford University Press

ISBN

9780192734044

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

06-03-2014

Synopsis

She heard the woman's boots walk away down the hall. She stood and waited, listening hard to see if the boots would come back.When she was sure she was alone, the girl finally spoke.'Yes,' she whispered. 'My name is Parvana.'Fifteen-year-old Parvana has built a new life with her family, and it's the life she's always dreamt of. She's learning in a real school, and teaching too.But this is Afghanistan, and the war is far from over. Many still view the education and freedom of women with suspicion and fear. And that means Parvana - and her family - are in danger. When she's taken away by American soldiers, suspected of being a terrorist, Parvana must find a way to protect her family, and keep her hope alive.

Reviews

Through the experiences of a young girl, 15-year-old Parvana (Deborah Ellis has introduced her previously in The Breadwinner, Pavana's Journey and Mud City), the reader learns what life is like for the people, particularly women, of Afghanistan. Suspicion surrounds a land that has been divided by war and beliefs and no one is beyond this suspicion, including Parvana. We are taken through her harrowing ordeal as she learns to stay brave in order to overcome the stresses of her situation. Young readers will develop a deep understanding of the conflicts which we hear about so often on news reports regarding the Taliban, Al-Queda and peace-keeping troops stationed away from home. Through Parvana's life the reader is able to develop an empathy and understanding for a culture which is so very different from our own. An ideal read for upper KS2 or above. This book is hard to put down once you have met the key character; you'll find yourself wishing Parvana a safe life. 226 Pages / Ages 10+ / Reviewed by Tracy Hart, teacher