Parvana is a realistic story, suitable for teenagers/ young adults. The story is about a young girl, named Parvana. Her father is imprisoned for no reason. To support her family Parvana makes a life threatening choice to disguise herself as a boy. She does this by dressing like a boy, acting like one and having a boy’s name Kaseem.

This book is a realistic, true life account of events reflecting the life of an 11year old girl - Parvana, her family of two sisters, a brother, mum and dad. The Taliban soldiers take over Afghanistan and its people. The women and girls are forced to live inside the house (24 hours, 7 days a week) - where they don’t see even light. However Parvana is one of the lucky ones as she gets to see the day light a couple of hours a day as she helps her father to walk to the markets as he runs a little stall to earn money for food, he sells his possessions that have been saved from the bombings. He also reads letters to customers in three different languages -  English, Dari (which most people speak) and Pashtu as most of the people cannot read or write; he receives payment for doing this. Both her parents have been to university. Parvana’s mother was a writer but lost her job when the Taliban took over as did all women. One day three Taliban men came barging through the door of the house and took their father prisoner…

There are other exciting things that happen through the story and it is well worth reading. I recommend this book for teenagers to adults. This storyline gives an inside view of a young 11 year old girl and her family in Afghanistan under Taliban rule. This book is heart touching to realise just how people have to live in some parts of the world even today, and for us to appreciate that we live in a country which has given women equal rights and to treat all people with respect and freedom of choice.

Stella, aged 15, Bunbury, SW Western Australia

Parvana is an 11 year old girl growing up in Afghanistan under the cruel regime of the extreme religious group, the Taliban. Things reach a crisis point for Parvana's family when her father is arrested and they run out of water and money. Someone has to go outside to ensure the family’s survival. It falls upon Parvana to dress up as a boy and take on her father's role of provider. She lives in constant fear of detection but ventures out daily to earn money and buy provisions.

This book is relevant for Australians at present as it gives insight into the day-to-day lives of people living under extreme conditions. It is based on true events; the author spent several months working in Pakistan with Afghan women refugees. It reveals the hardships of life under the strict rules of the Taliban where there is no access to music or books, men must wear beards and women outdoors must be clothed from head to toe and accompanied by a male.

Although the subject matter is harsh the author deals with issues in a sympathetic way making it accessible to readers from upper primary through to adult. The author writes in a style that is easy to read and even manages to be humorous at times.