The Breadwinner (A)

This first book in Deborah Ellis's riveting "Breadwinner" series is an award-winning novel about loyalty, survival, families, and friendship under extraordinary circumstances during the Taliban's rule in Afghanistan.  Eleven-year-old Parvana lives with her family in one room of a bombed-out apartment building in Kabul, Afghanistan's capital city. Parvana's father -- a history teacher until his school was bombed and his health destroyed -- works from a blanket on the ground in the marketplace, reading letters for people who cannot read or write. One day, he is arrested for the crime of having a foreign education, and the family is left without someone who can earn money or even shop for food. As conditions for the family grow desperate, only one solution emerges. Forbidden to earn money as a girl, Parvana must transform herself into a boy, and become the breadwinner.  The 15th-anniversary edition includes a special foreword by Deborah Ellis as well as a new map, an updated author's note, and a glossary to provide young readers with background and context. All royalties from the sale of this book will go to Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan. Parvana's Fund supports education projects for Afghan women and children. AWARDS: Winner, Hackmatack Award, 2003 Short-listed, Trillium Book Award, 2001 Winner, Baia delle Favole Prize for ages 9–12, 2003 Winner, Middle East Book Award, 2002 Short-listed, Rocky Mountain Book Award, 2003 Winner, Swedish Peter Pan Prize, 2003 Long-listed, OLA Golden Oak Award, 2003 Long-listed, OLA Red Maple Award, 2001 Paperback, ISBN 9781554987658, SKU 1094165 Publisher recommended for ages 10 to 14/grades 5 to 9.