The Breadwinner (The Breadwinner collection)

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The Taliban was reprimanded particularly for its treatment of women; they were forced to wear burqas (pieces of clothing that covers the body from head to toe) and were forbidden to walk outdoors without a male escort. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of The Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis. When Parvana asks about Shauzia’s family, Shauzia says she knows leaving her family makes her a bad person, but she’ll die if she stays. Common Sense is the nation's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of all kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in the 21st century. During the bombings in Kabul he lost his leg, and he sold his prosthetic to help support his family.

There's a significant amount of violence: physical assaults, brutal punishments, stories of terrible deaths, and dogs devouring bodies. Shauzia, who had been planning to run away from her family so that she would not have to marry, tells Parvana that she will also be leaving with some nomads. One day a group of Taliban soldiers breaks into Parvana's house to arrest her father for having a foreign education. These are a type of traditional Afghan clothing that consists of a long tunic and loose pants and can be worn for formal events or just everyday use. Though the men and boys around cast doubt as to whether they will live or not, one man encourages her, saying they may look withered but the roots are strong.

This book has provoked all sorts of interesting discussions between my 8 year old daughter and I about gender equality, gender identity, the welfare state, corporal punishment, the current aims of ISIS/Daesh, and the difference between fundamentalist Islam and true Islam. Finally, Parvana's father told her that religion was about teaching people how to be human beings, how to be kinder.

But the writing wasn't what made this book impressive; the sheer character of Parvana herself, and the story she takes us along, is completely mindblowing. Weera convinces Parvana to agree, Mother cuts Parvana’s hair and Parvana changes into Hossain’s shalwar kameez. During a 2011 visit to Kabul, Ellis (the Breadwinner trilogy) recorded the stories of 27 Afghan children, represented in this stirring collection.The Breadwinner" is about 11-year-old Parvana and the risks she takes to help provide for her family after the Taliban takes control of Afghanistan. The girls huddle on the floor as a kind man sitting above them tells them to stay down and not look.