Tiny Dancer: The Incredible True Story of a Young Burn Victim's Journey from Afghanistan

by Anthony Flacco

The astonishing story of a brave little girl from Afghanistan who not only survived horrific disfiguring burns but was given a second chance at life.

Tiny Dancer is the amazing true story of Zubaida Hasan (pronounced Zu-BAY-dah Ha-SAN), a nine-year-old girl from the remote deserts of Afghanistan who, in the summer of 2001, accidentally fell into a kerosene fire while heating water for a bath. Though she was horribly mutilated, her father refused to give up and exhaustively sought help to save his child.

When an American Green Beret soldier by chance sees Zubaida and her father on the street, he decides he must get involved. With assistance from many members of the U.S. military, little Zubaida is given a second chance at life. She is flown to Los Angeles to begin a two-year journey through a series of surgeries performed by famed burn surgeon Dr. Peter Grossman. He and his wife, Rebecca, eventually take the child into their own home. This is a heartfelt and inspiring story of incredible courage equally matched by incredible kindness.

Genres: Nonfiction, Book Club, Middle East, Medical

256 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Anthony’s background as a trained stage actor with over 2,000 performances under his Actors Equity membership provides the primary basis for his critically acclaimed ability to empathize with a wide cross-section of personalities. His screenwriting experience is also of great use in telling narrative stories that are visually compelling, whether for the “screen” of a reader’s imagination or the screen of a theatre or at home.

He was selected for the prestigious American Film Institute fellowship in Screenwriting, and received his MFA in writing there in 1990 after winning AFI’s Paramount Studios Fellowship Award for his script, The Frog's Legacy. He was then selected out of 2,000 entrants for the Walt Disney Studios Screenwriting Fellowship, and spent a year writing for the Touchstone Pictures division.

His first nonfiction book, A Checklist for Murder, was acquired in auction by Dell Books as a mass market paperback and turned in solid sales. Anthony adapted his book as a two-hour television movie script and sold it to NBC Studios for a movie of the week. For the next several years, he worked as a freelance script doctor and story editor.

Anthony was hired by the Discovery Channel to write a two-hour documentary entitled Deadly Spree, based on a true story. His true crime writing was also featured on a one-hour episode of The Prosecutors for Court TV.

Anthony served as a national Judge for the Illinois Arts Council, writing individual evaluations for over 100 screenplays for their 2003 Writing Awards. His screenplay, Tesla’s Best Secret, was a finalist in the Alfred Sloan Fellowship for Sundance.

In addition to his own writing, Anthony has served as a freelance editor for books and book proposals that have recently sold to Hay House, Vanderwyck & Burnham, Rodale Press, and Lyons Press. He has also written book proposals for other authors who have gone on to garner publication contracts with Rodale Press, Random House, and St. Martin’s Press.

His nonfiction book Tiny Dancer St. Martin’s Press was selected by Reader’s Digest as their Editor’s Choice for August, 2005 -- their 1,000th Commemorative Issue. The book has been internationally acclaimed, and as of 2007, received Best Seller status in Italy. Kansas City Star named Tiny Dancer “one of the 100 Most Noteworthy Books of 2005.”

Anthony also edited the first two manuscripts for a new series of humorous books written by gay and straight couples, called E-Musings, which have sold to Marabout for French translation.

Anthony’s first two novels of historical fiction are from Mortalis Books at Ballantine/Random House. The first, The Last Nightingale, was released in June of 2007, with the second, The Hidden Man, published in June of 2008.

An experienced public speaker, Anthony frequently gives seminars on crime writing (brief syllabus available). He is a featured speaker on writing for writers conferences and clubs.

Reviews

[arcobaleno · Rating 1 out of 5]

Merce da smaltire
La storia ci sarebbe stata. Ma è raccontata senza nessuna cura, nessuna partecipazione. Uno sceneggiatore che crede di essere scrittore. Ma rimane con la ‘s’ minuscola. Ha solo saputo sfruttare una storia e il momento. Fa pari con Paolo Giordano.
Non merita neanche una parola in più.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A moving story but I didn't care for the style of writing. The child clings to life so tenaciously and her father is so amazing is seeking help for his daughter. Her survival is dependent on so many compassionate and generous people. But the author writes as though he knows the child thoughts and motivations. He also gets bogged done in medical detail regarding the surgeries.

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've never read a more profoundly moving or heart tugging book in my life!!! I have so much to say about this story that I'm afraid I'm going to over-do it. So, here's the deal...I'll start writing and when I get tired of talking (typing) I'll just stop. Then, you can go buy/borrow the book and read the story for yourself. Deal? Great! Here we go.


Zubaida Hasan, a 9 1/2 year old girl is living in the remote desert village of 'Farah' in south-western Afghanistan. Hundreds of years earlier, the village of 'Farah' had been a major site of the regions trade activity. However, during the 13th century when Genghis Khan and his army swept through the area, they left behind a much destroyed and seriously damaged village.

Zubaida's environment didn't bother her as she had her music. She hummed, sang and danced away her days without a care in the world, much as any other 9 1/2 year old would do. However, under the rule of the Taliban, her carefree life of dancing to her music would soon come to an end. The law of the Taliban says once Zubaida turned 10, she wouldn't be allowed to run and play in public with other girls, dance in the street or even have a boy as a friend.

Finding herself at home alone while her mother and older sister were visiting a neighbour, Zubaida decided to have a bath. Turning up her music, she began to sing and dance while filling up the small bathtub with water. She lit the pilot's flame to warm the water when she realized the small fuel tank was almost empty. What happened next would change Zubaida's life forever.

Retrieving the kerosene can, Zubaida carried it back to the heater and while singing to her music, she forgot to put out the pilot light before refilling the tank with kerosene. As she began to fill the tank, she stumbled, causing the kerosene to splash into the pilot flame creating a huge sheet of fire that engulfed her and turned her into "...a blazing human torch."

The flames engulfed her body and scorched her throat and lungs. The extreme pain and agony this poor child went through is a testament to her strength, courage and strong will to survive this horrible nightmare.

With no hospitals or doctor's nearby, Zubaida was expected to die within a few hours. A neighbour who owned a car drove Zubaida along with her mother (Bador) and father (Hasan), 120 miles to the city of 'Herat' to seek treatment. The trip took almost 7 hours in the scorching heat and over rough terrain with little Zubaida shrieking in agony.

The clinic in 'Herat' did not have much to offer in the way of treatment, but the doctors there promised Hasan that they would do what they could. With no anesthesia available, the doctor's began peeling away Zubaida's "blistered and oozing skin" to help prevent infection. Zubaida screamed and shrieked in agony and begged them to stop, it was a tortuous experience. The only other aid available in the clinic was a salve, which they rubbed her with to help keep the raw flesh protected. Hasan and Bador were then told to take their daughter home and to expect death within the next two weeks as these types of burns were not survivable. The only other advice offered for these parents, was to "...pray for her end to come quickly."

Hasan refused to let his daughter die and upon returning home, instructed the rest of the family "...not to pray for her death...instead...pray for a miracle."

Hasan borrowed a small amount of money and another old car and drove Zubaida to 'Iran' where he headed for the city of 'Moshad'. The doctors in 'Moshad' had nothing to offer his severely burned daughter and referred them onto the city of 'Tehran' which was an additional 500 miles away!

The hospital in Tehran didn't have much to offer in the way of treatment either, other than rubbing her charred and burned body with various other ointments. Zubaida was in constant, continual and unrelenting pain and agony, not only from the severe burns, but also from her "roasted nerve endings."

After 20 days the doctors told Hasan there was nothing more they could do for Zubaida and advised him to take her home and that it was impossible for her to live much longer with the infections going through her body. Hasan returned home to 'Farah' with his daughter, more determined than ever to find appropriate and acceptable help.

Okay folks...this is where I end it...you simply MUST get a copy of this book in your hands and read this unbelievably incredible story!! I know for myself, this is one book I will keep forever.

[Lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

There is more focus on the US military and the actual surgery rather than Zubaida's life and challenges. I was expecting it to focus on her a lot more.

[Monica · Rating 1 out of 5]

Troppo descrittivo, senza nemmeno una frase di discorso diretto. Purtroppo ho dovuto lasciarlo senza finirlo

[Laura Peressutti · Rating 3 out of 5]

Non mi ha fatto impazzire lo stile di scrittura

[Tyler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Synopsis: In the summer of 2001, 9-year-old Zubaida Hasan falls into a kerosene fire in rural Afghanistan. She is severely burned all over her body and the family lives far from any medical facilities. Miraculously she survives, even though the local Afghani doctors only suggestions to the parents are for them to pray for her to have a speedy death. After a few months the scar tissue on her body and face is building up to such an extent that her chin is fused with her torso and it is even pulling the skin from around her eye sockets. (You may have even seen her photo before). Her father is desperate to save her and travels with her to the nearest American Army Base where she is seen on the streets by an American Green Beret who takes pity and begins campaigning for her to get help. Eventually Zubaida is brought to Southern California where she undergoes a series of treatments and surgeries to remove the excess scar tissue.



My Review: This is an incredible true story and a reminder of how blessed I am to live in a country with access to some of the best medical care available. The risks of living and growing up in the USA are far less than are faced by other children throughout the world. The book was also a nice reminder of the humanity around us. So much of what we hear these days is only the bad and yet there are good people across the globe who are still trying to be good and willing to help those in need.

[maria letizia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Abbastanza carino, la storia sarebbe stata stupenda se solo la focalizzazione si fosse mantenuta su un personaggio (magari la protagonista o qualcun altro per cambiare un po') approfondendo i suoi sentimenti invece di dire qualche parola sui pensieri di ciascuno in maniera anche abbastanza superficiale. Non mi è piaciuto anche il fatto che la storia scorre così velocemente, va bene che non aventi una focalizzazione fissa gli eventi che si ripetono non vanno raccontati nel dettaglio, però mi aspettavo una descrizione un po' più approfondita, invece che qualche parola sulle varie cose che accadono.
La storia è bellissima, ma rovinata dallo stile (?) dell'autore che l'ha resa quasi difficile da leggere :/

[Tesa L Riggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most incredible true stories I’ve ever read. This writer took me through a journey with such eloquence. Even when the horrible event that began it all, the way the author told the story which was heart wrenching, captured my mind and made me feel like I was there. I will never forget the journey of this story. I find it hard to believe I will ever find a book written so well. I highly recommend this book. If you don’t you don’t know what you’re missing.

[Valentina Morpurgo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Una storia vera da leggere assolutamente. Una catena umana fatta di amore e solidarietà per salvare una bambina di 10 anni, ustionata gravemente a causa di una sua banale disattenzione. Questa è la storia di Zubaida, bambina Afgana di uno sperduto villaggio in mezzo al deserto, in un Afghanistan ancora occupato dai Talebani.

[Cami Franchi]

Ci ho messo una vita e mezza a finire questo libro perché è scritto veramente male. Che è estremamente fastidioso perché la storia di per sé è molto interessante ma purtroppo la scrittura dell’autore è completamente inadatta a ciò che sta raccontando.

[Pamela · Rating 2 out of 5]

A beautiful story. Kind of weird how they always knew how she was feeling when she was so young. Could have been much shorter as there were many unnecessary details.

[Jessalee Detweiler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredible story

[Donatella]

Il giardino degli incontri

[Elisa Lusuardi · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 stelle

[. ݁˖ ݁.⊹ ₊ ݁.coco. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁ Lovelace · Rating 1 out of 5]

Infinitamente prolisso, non ce la faceva più. Terribile,la storia sarebbe anche carina ma è narrata veramente male.

[Antonietta · Rating 3 out of 5]

E' una storia vera di solidarietà, coraggio, caparbietà e soprattutto disponibilità. La piccola Zubaida di quasi 10 anni vive in uno sperduto villaggio afghano. Poco prima del tragico 11 settembre un incidente domestico la riduce in fin di vita, con ustioni gravissime sulla parte superiore del corpo. In un paese poverissimo, dove le donne sono scarsamente considerate, sembra che per lei non ci sia più nulla da fare. Invece Zubaida resiste, la sua giovane età e la sua forza interiore le permettono di non morire, ma sopravvive tra atroci sofferenze. La famiglia però non la abbandona. Il padre chiede prestiti ovunque e con la forza della disperazione riesce a portare la bambina fino ad una base dei temuti americani. Il suo caso disperato e il suo sguardo riescono a smuovere una catena di solidarietà contro ogni previsione. Zubaida arriva in America, dove può sottoporti alle lunghe cure del caso. Ma non è semplice essere trasportati in un paese sconosciuto, dove tutto è diverso: lingua, cibo, usi e costumi e soprattutto la concezione di sè. Per fortuna Zubaida trova dei genitori americani eccezionali e tutto si conclude per il meglio in una storia dove tutti i protagonisti sono buoni.
Il limite narrativo di Flacco è di essere americano. Voglio dire che si dilunga molto nella spiegazione di situazioni e sentimenti, soprattutto dei protagonisti afghani, come se parlasse ad una classe di prima elementare. Probabilmente al pubblico americano concetti come famiglia, ospitalità, rassegnazione suonano difficili da capire. O forse semplicemente bisognava allungare un po' il brodo per aggiungere pagine al racconto. Queste spiegazioni appesantiscono molto la storia, anche se rendono chiaro che l'incontro tra civiltà tanto diverse non è facile da assimilare. Nel complesso comunque commovente, soprattutto perché si tratta di una storia vera.

[Loretta · Rating 5 out of 5]

La storia vera di una ragazzina destinata a morire, a causa delle gravi ustioni riportate in un incidente domestico, diventano l'occasione per riflettere sull'incontro tra due culture (quella afgana e quella statunitense) che, specie in anni recenti, vengono percepite sempre e comunque come antagoniste.
Da questo romanzo invece traspare qualcosa di diverso. Il padre di Zubaida (questo il nome della protagonista), muove mari e monti pur di salvarle la vita, in una cultura, quella afgana appunto, che vorrebbe la famiglia, totalmente disinteressata al destino delle figlie femmine.
Dall'altro lato il dottor Grossman, chirurgo americano che, con la sua équipe, salva materialmente la vita di Zubaida, operandola; e che, insieme alla moglie Rebecca, ospita la bambina nella loro casa per tutta la durata delle cure. Fra i tre si crea un rapporto che non ho percepito come impositivo da parte della cultura occidentale.
Nonostante ciò, il contatto con la società americana, non è sempre facile. In modo particolare quando "confronta" il suo clan con la famiglia a pezzi di Rebecca (la cui madre è sola da anni, dopo la separazione dal marito), e quando, alla fine del romanzo, si trova combattuta tra la capacità di scelta che ha acquisito durante il suo anno americano, e la fedeltà ai valori sociali afgani, che assegnano, alla donna, un ruolo prestabilito.
Insomma, credo sia un libro che merita di essere letto, se non altro perché aiuta a guardare alla realtà con occhi diversi.

[Bookaholic · Rating 4 out of 5]

5 stars for the story, 3 stars for the writing style which I did not really like, as in some parts seems a novel, in others seems more like a medical journal.
Tiny dancer is the true story of Zubaida, a nine-year-old Afghan girl, who in July 2001 slipped while filling a kerosene heater and set herself on fire. Her burns were so severe, no one thought she'd live. But Zubaida survived,in a region without the most elementary medical assistance, and where a girl's life is very little worth. Her father brought her all over the region, finally to the American army base in Kandahar, trying to get help. A Green Beret listened, and Zubaida was flown to a specialized burn center in America for a year of reconstructive surgeries. Zubaida's culture shock is remarkable. For the first time, she was going to school, getting to make personal choices and spending time with children who had the luxury of imagining limitless futures. The medically complex procedures were successful; the social adjustments were difficult. With improved language skills, therapy and lots of love from her host family, Zubaida began to thrive. But then it was time to return to Afghanistan, where she felt like a model ship in a bottle-perfectly formed but going nowhere.

[Debby Detering · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Zubaida's existence was punctuated by the cultural music and dance that had surrounded her every day of her life. And as music will do with some people, the melodies and rhythms managed to pass into her blood and soak into her bones, so that a major portion of her waking existence took place while she hummed without thinking about it or danced without self-consciousness."
At 9-1/2, this child in the remote deserts of Afghanistan suffered disastrous burns. Her father's determination to save his daughter, and a number of fortunate coincidences, resulted in a year of reparative surgeries in the U.S. The story of a child's spirit, of the adults who bend rules to care for her, and the interplay of vastly different cultures, is heartwarming and meticulously detailed. I did find the lengthy explanations of the Afghan culture and the psychological impacts of both trauma and culture a bit too drawn out, although some of that information is certainly necessary for understanding.

[Michelle Wright · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not just the story of a burn victim, TINY DANCER is a story of Courage and Compassion; from the little Girl, to the Soldiers who help her, to the Doctors who care for her.What an incredible story of real life perseverance through the life of this heroically strong willed child.All my Best to Zubaida, God Bless all those who assisted in her chance to continue her life, and THANK YOU ANTHONY for telling her story

[Antonella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Questo libro merita 3 stelle e mezzo...

Stile e narrazione ☆☆
Storia ☆☆☆☆☆

La storia è bellissima. Un grande messaggio di speranza, ma lo stile è pari a quello di un ragazzino di prima media. Troppe frasi buttate lì, molti concetti e paragrafi ripetuti più e più volte.
Alla fine un po' lo stile migliora, ma non basta.
Credo comunque che solo per la storia narrata il libro meriti una possibilità.

[Lyric Payne · Rating 4 out of 5]

More like a 3.5, but I'll round up because of the tiny dancer! A beautiful and inspiring story, which was actually recounted very well, but the author includes quite a few philosophical/political soapbox moments, which actually seem very random and irrelevant.

[Martadellenevi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quella di Zubaida è una storia di dolore,coraggio,speranza. E di un amore profondo e caparbio che supera tutti i confini.
Un racconto travolgente ed emozionante che sa arrivare direttamente al cuore.

[Carroll Straus · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you hated The Kite Runner you will love this. it is a true story and not manipulative.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

The astonishing story of a brave little girl from Afghanistan who not only survived horrific disfiguring burns but was given a second chance at life.

[Mary]

Another story of people's incredible generosity. Makes you proud to be an American. Interesting look into Afghanistan and culture.

[Claudia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Che dire, è un percorso di rinascita esteriore ed interiore e sicuramente la storia è dolcissima e toccante, ma in realtà l'intero libro trasmette poche emozioni; è più una cronaca degli eventi.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a moving, inspiring book.

[Nicoletta Giordana · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stelle per la storia ma lo stile narrativo non mi è piaciuto per niente!