THE BREADWINNER

Set in Afghanistan, this book paints a bleak picture of life under Taliban rule. Rita Wolf creates a lively, engaging young Parvana, through whose eyes we witness Taliban oppression. Parvana's mother and sister are trapped at home, forbidden to leave unless chaperoned and swathed in the ubiquitous burqa. (Ellis defines such terms.) Although Wolf's accent may seem simulated to an Afghan ear, most Western listeners are unlikely to mind. Based on real-life interviews with children, this timely story of courage in extreme circumstances is sobering and chilling (Parvana unearths human bones for money, witnesses an amputation, and suffers a beating) and is best-suited for older children--ideally those listening with an adult. J.C.G. Winner of 2004 ALA/ YALSA Recording (c) AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine [Published: FEB / MAR 03]