Naveed

Through My Eyes

by John Heffernan

A heartfelt story of a teenage boy living in the conflict zone of Afghanistan.

Description
The explosion jolts him awake. He sits up, gasping for air, heart thumping.

Was the blast real? Perhaps it had only happened in his head, a bad dream. Demons of the dark, his father had called them. 'Push them away. They'll only poison your thoughts. Seek the light and they can't hurt you.'

Naveed is sick of war - of the foreign powers and the Taliban, the warlords and the drug barons that together have torn Afghanistan apart. He's had to grow up quickly to take care of his widowed mother and little sister, making what little money he can doing odd jobs and selling at the markets. When he adopts Nasera, a street dog with extraordinary abilities, he has a chance to help rebuild his country. But will a new friend's betrayal crush his dreams of peace forever?

From the winter of war comes the spring of hope.

'Naveed brings a human face to a war we have heard so much about. John Heffernan has allowed us an important glimpse into the world of an Afghan child and an insight into the complexity and beauty of the Afghan people. In Naveed, we have a name for the thousands of Afghan children who are suffering through this terrible war. Through his optimism, we are offered hope.' - Neil Grant, author of The Ink Bridge

Genres: War, Contemporary

216 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2014

About the author

John Heffernan lives on a farm at the end of a dirt road. The farm is nestled in a beautiful little valley at the edge of the Great Dividing Range in New South Wales. John's early training as a teacher has been invaluable in both his writing and in establishing a relationship with young readers.

John has written more than thirty books for older readers and younger readers, on a range of subjects, in a range of styles and genres. Picture books, chapter books, YA novels, reality to fantasy; he likes to dabble in them all!

Reviews

[Trisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for readers cup. Some distressing realities about the war in Afghanistan, but some uplifting hope as well.

Naveed is an optimistic, resilient young man, and we see the guiding light that is his father continue to shape his thoughts and moral code from beyond the grave.

I loved the characterisation of Naveed's younger sister Noosh, and the dogs are heroic and loyal.

Towards the end, the tension really ramps up, and I was holding my breath hoping it all worked out.

[Allies Opinions · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Naveed” offers two unique perspectives that, as an American, I don’t often get to see. An Australian solider and a young Afghan boy. Naveed may be a child but his struggles are anything but small. Naveed’s mother relies on him to provide for the family and Naveed works hard to do so. He also provides for his younger sister who, due to a bomb, has lost her legs. Naveed carries a heavy load of responsibilities but it’s clear that he carries them with love. Naveed’s love for his family is beautiful. He has known nothing but war and it’s touched every single piece of his young life.

After a bomb took away his father and severely injured his sister, Naveed’s family lives in a hovel and their situation is precarious. The land lord is a bad man who has even worse friends and cares for no one but himself. He sets his eyes on Naveed’s mother and I held my breath with worry about Naveed’s family and how or if they would find a way out of that nasty man’s reach.

Naveed is adopted by Nasera (the dog) and his life takes on a whirlwind of change. By chance he meets Jake and opportunities open that he never thought possible. Naveed’s world is almost broken by a relative (whose really broken himself) and for a time, everything is thrown into chaos once again.

I want to talk about that chaos for just a minute. In the west, we are so quick to see a terrorist and dehumanize them. We don’t think of all the things that built up and turned this otherwise unassuming person into an extremist. Heffernan brings humanity back in this tale and gives us a look into what goes into the makings of a terrorist. It’s not harped upon but Heffernan gives us a window into a world I don’t think we discuss or even acknowledge nearly enough.

Kudo’s to John Heffernan for doing his part to put a very human face on a very ugly war. May his stories enrich our lives and encourage us to find peace with one another.

Check out my blog for more reviews! https://alliesopinions.wordpress.com/...

[Terry Fahy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend to aid with understanding issues around refugees and the war in Afghanistan. I donated to a school library for Refugee Week in the hope that students might read it and learn from it. A means of developing empathy and understanding.

[Harrison · Rating 1 out of 5]

Horrible, don't let this comment put you off you might like it. I just thought that it had barely any concept. What concept it did have you could predict 40 pages before it happened

[Rachel Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can quite honestly say never has one book bought so much raw and powerful emotion. If I could give it more than 5 stars I would.

[Molly Dreaver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting read

[Lilly · Rating 3 out of 5]

The novel ‘Naveed’ illustrates the suffering which occurs in the furthest parts of the world; the parts we forget need our help.

[Penny Reeve · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Naveed' is another great addition to the 'Though My Eyes' series about children growing up in war zones, this one being set in Afghanistan.
Naveed is 14 years old and the main provider for his family (himself, his mother and a sister who has lost her legs in a land mine accident). One day he finds a stray dog who decides to belong to him, and the two of them form an incredible bond. When Naveed and his dog are spotted by and Australian soldier (who is also a bomb dog trainer) his life opens up to new possibilities. But new threats are also coming as his family welcomes a cousin struggling to come to peace with events of the past.
Written for 10 year olds up, John Heffernan does a good job of keeping the story-line positive and entertaining, even amid the grief and potential danger the plot contains. I was also impressed by they way the narrative gently reminds the reader that behind the news headlines on our TV screen there are real people trying their best to live with hope, family and friendship.
This is a well written, engaging and positive read.

[Rosanne Hawke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed John Heffernan's novel for middle school: Naveed: Through my Eyes, a story of a boy in Afghanistan as the US soldiers are leaving. He finds a dog and meets Jake, an Australian soldier who shows him how to train the dog to find explosives. Heffernan has shown aspects of daily life, the difficulties of living in a war zone as a child, the corruption and hate of the Americans. His sister Anoosha is a strong character who drives much of the plot. This is an excellent edition to the Through my Eyes series, stories about children living in war zones for grades 5-8. This one can be read by year five upwards. The series fits the Australian National Curriculum and has extensive teacher notes written by series creator and editor Lyn White which can be found on the authors' websites or at the series website at www.throughmyeyesbooks.com.au

[Readingee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was really great and really heartfelt. Having an insight on what life is really like a country full of war, really opened my eyes to life outside of Australia.

You want to feel sorry for every character, but you just realise everyone is in the same boat, and no ones struggle is harder than another's.

Naveed is such a powerful character and really helps to put things into perspective. His courage and bravery saved his family, and probably a lot of his country.

This book really taught me to never take things for granted, even if it's all you've got. There is always going to be someone who is worse off than you.

Overall, it was a beautiful book, and I one I will definitely remember. Nothing is more powerful than something based on a true story.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This battle for survival takes place against a background of thriving warlords and drug dealers, the Taliban, and others that seek to become wealthy off the back of the poor.

Naveed’s father was killed by a suicide bomber. He is now the man of the family. His sister Anoosheh is without legs due to a hidden mine, but is a happy, confident child. Survival is the goal of each day for the two children and their mother. The story follows their daily life and fight for survival against all odds.

John Heffernan concentrates on the effects of war on children; their resilience, resourcefulness, courage, determination and optimism to survive regardless of all the difficulties they face.

This book is quite confronting at times, but a powerful and moving piece of fiction.

[Patricia Baker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part of a series about conflict around the world through the eyes of young people. This one is set in Afghanistan showing the complexity of the situation through the eyes of Naveed and his family as well as the perception of the locals suspicious of those who supposedly come to help.

Naveed finds a world of hope away from the streets where he gets beaten by gangs and away from the clutches of their greedy landlord.

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting and engaging look at life in Afghanistan around the time foreign troops start to pull out. Some parts are totally unbelievable of course, but, then again, it IS fiction. Certainly thought provoking.

[Jo Schenkel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant series with excellent teacher's notes. This would be appropriate for any upper primary students. Others in the series may be better for Year 7 and above.

[Mahdia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book, shows how brave and courageous some people are even though their country have been torn apart.

[Olivia · Rating 3 out of 5]

very intense at the end
well writen