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The Breadwinner #1-3
The Breadwinner Collection
This title is Deborah Ellis's trilogy: 'The Breadwinner', 'Parvana's Journey' and 'Mud City' as a single volume. Together they tell the stories of children whose lives are alive with the sounds, smells & suffering of Afghanistan and the refugee camps of Pakistan.
Paperback
First published February 1, 2003
183 people are currently reading
1969 people want to read
About the author
Deborah Ellis
56 books601 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
Deborah Ellis has achieved international acclaim with her courageous and dramatic books that give Western readers a glimpse into the plight of children in developing countries.
She has won the Governor General's Award, Sweden's Peter Pan Prize, the Ruth Schwartz Award, the University of California's Middle East Book Award, the Jane Addams Children's Book Award and the Vicky Metcalf Award.
A long-time feminist and anti-war activist, she is best known for The Breadwinner Trilogy, which has been published around the world in seventeen languages, with more than a million dollars in royalties donated to Street Kids International and to Women for Women, an organization that supports health and education projects in Afghanistan. In 2006, Deb was named to the Order of Ontario.
Deborah Ellis has achieved international acclaim with her courageous and dramatic books that give Western readers a glimpse into the plight of children in developing countries.
She has won the Governor General's Award, Sweden's Peter Pan Prize, the Ruth Schwartz Award, the University of California's Middle East Book Award, the Jane Addams Children's Book Award and the Vicky Metcalf Award.
A long-time feminist and anti-war activist, she is best known for The Breadwinner Trilogy, which has been published around the world in seventeen languages, with more than a million dollars in royalties donated to Street Kids International and to Women for Women, an organization that supports health and education projects in Afghanistan. In 2006, Deb was named to the Order of Ontario.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 285 reviews
July 30, 2022
Nie mogę przestać myśleć o tej książce. To bardzo smutna i trudna historia, której mimo okładki nie dałabym dziecku.
September 19, 2017
روزها پایان نامه مینوشتم در مورد کودکان کارگر افغانستانی و شبها اینو میخوندم. روزها درگیر داد و فریاد که بچهها رو رد مرز نکنین و شبها پروانه و آصف و حسن و لیلا تو بیابونها دنبال یه قطره آب بودن و همهش خاک خاک خاک... کتاب ناراحتیه و من تا تونستم خودم رو اذیت کردم با خوندنش تو این زمان. گرچه به نظرم برای سفیدپوستا نوشته شده و یه چیزاییش گاهی خیلی اذیت میکنه اما خوندنش خالی از فایده نیست و آدم ته کتاب چند تا دوست کوچولوی افغانستانی داره.
من کتاب اول و سوم رو خیلی دوست نداشتم اما دومی که دردناکتر هم بود به نظرم بهتر از بقیه بود، حتا ۴ ستاره بود.
من کتاب اول و سوم رو خیلی دوست نداشتم اما دومی که دردناکتر هم بود به نظرم بهتر از بقیه بود، حتا ۴ ستاره بود.
April 1, 2017
I read this for a challenge of a book to be a movie in 2017. These are a trilogy, and I read all three because I wasn't sure how many would be portrayed in the movie. The first, The breadwinner, is the best of the trilogy. we learn some about the Afghanistan culture and the practice of disguising girls as boys to help the families survive, I've read about this before in The Underground Girls of Kabul: In Search of a Hidden Resistance in Afghanistan The rest of the stories reminded me McCarthy's The Road, but in a way, worse, told through children's persepectives. This is a YA adult book, and I'm curious to what audience this animated movie will be aiming
September 19, 2015
I greatly enjoyed the raw honesty and storytelling in this story that I read for summer reading. Most people who have reviewed this book seem to enjoy this story, and I agree with what they say in their reviews. I like reading about how people in other parts of the world handle their situations. It gives me a doorway to travel into this world, especially since I can't afford to travel there myself.
The descriptions Ms. Ellis give make visualization easy. The author didn't simply state or explain anything. For example, she doesn't just say that Parvana is wearing a burqa. Nor does she simply explain that it is the law that she wears one. She tells us Parvana's feelings about wearing one. It gave her a way to hide, and she also wishes that she still wears one once she is working as a boy.
The first book is my favorite. It seems like something to which lots of girls growing up there could relate. We see two families in two different situations. We see the typical daily life and family structure in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. The second one is pretty good and shows what many may have experienced. The third is my least favorite, but it stills shows what life may have been like for yet another group of people during that time.
*Some Spoilers Ahead*
Parvana's story of struggles with family, friends, hunger, stress, new responsibilities, emotions, handling lots of grief, sickness, and so much more are impressive. Her having to change her life so quickly when her father was taken away and having to change it so quickly so many more times. Examples include her father dying, taking care of the baby, leading the group, taking care of the little girl, and so on. Shauzia had to handle so many obstacles from her grandparents not wanting her to get an education to having to do all the work for her family. From having so many obstacles in the way of her dreams to getting chased away and not getting work/good pay to being tricked. Shauzia and Paravana were very interesting perspectives to tell these books through. This book has emotional appeal to a wide range of audiences who will all find something they like about it, and they will connect in their own special way.
The descriptions Ms. Ellis give make visualization easy. The author didn't simply state or explain anything. For example, she doesn't just say that Parvana is wearing a burqa. Nor does she simply explain that it is the law that she wears one. She tells us Parvana's feelings about wearing one. It gave her a way to hide, and she also wishes that she still wears one once she is working as a boy.
The first book is my favorite. It seems like something to which lots of girls growing up there could relate. We see two families in two different situations. We see the typical daily life and family structure in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. The second one is pretty good and shows what many may have experienced. The third is my least favorite, but it stills shows what life may have been like for yet another group of people during that time.
*Some Spoilers Ahead*
Parvana's story of struggles with family, friends, hunger, stress, new responsibilities, emotions, handling lots of grief, sickness, and so much more are impressive. Her having to change her life so quickly when her father was taken away and having to change it so quickly so many more times. Examples include her father dying, taking care of the baby, leading the group, taking care of the little girl, and so on. Shauzia had to handle so many obstacles from her grandparents not wanting her to get an education to having to do all the work for her family. From having so many obstacles in the way of her dreams to getting chased away and not getting work/good pay to being tricked. Shauzia and Paravana were very interesting perspectives to tell these books through. This book has emotional appeal to a wide range of audiences who will all find something they like about it, and they will connect in their own special way.
March 25, 2016
Randi Bennett, Response #9 (Summary and review only for the first book)
Parvana, or Kaseem as she becomes when her father becomes arrested by the Taliban, has to take charge of her family at 11 years old. War torn and fear stricken Afghanistan is occupied by the Taliban, and life for Parvana and her family is anything but normal. Her mother, sisters, Nooria and Maryam, and youngest brother Ali must learn how to survive once the Taliban invade their home. Deborah Ellis does a fantastic job at capturing the essence of Taliban occupied Kabul, and what life is like for families who are struggling to survive. Deborah Ellis demonstrates some of the remarkable strength and bravery from children, women, and men in Afghanistan.
I cannot wait to read the other two books. I flew through the first one, and was so captivated by Parvana. It is hard not to absolutely adore and admire Parvana. She shows so much courage, strength, and love for her family. I think Deborah Ellis does a really great job at opening readers eyes to the struggles of what's going on in Afghanistan. The book is an easy read, and I believe it could captivate nearly anyone. As I said, I cannot wait to read the other two books in this series!
Parvana, or Kaseem as she becomes when her father becomes arrested by the Taliban, has to take charge of her family at 11 years old. War torn and fear stricken Afghanistan is occupied by the Taliban, and life for Parvana and her family is anything but normal. Her mother, sisters, Nooria and Maryam, and youngest brother Ali must learn how to survive once the Taliban invade their home. Deborah Ellis does a fantastic job at capturing the essence of Taliban occupied Kabul, and what life is like for families who are struggling to survive. Deborah Ellis demonstrates some of the remarkable strength and bravery from children, women, and men in Afghanistan.
I cannot wait to read the other two books. I flew through the first one, and was so captivated by Parvana. It is hard not to absolutely adore and admire Parvana. She shows so much courage, strength, and love for her family. I think Deborah Ellis does a really great job at opening readers eyes to the struggles of what's going on in Afghanistan. The book is an easy read, and I believe it could captivate nearly anyone. As I said, I cannot wait to read the other two books in this series!
July 14, 2024
Książka na wielu płaszczyznach wstrząsająca, skłaniająca do przemyśleń. Najgorsze jest to, że takie sytuacje naprawdę miały miejsce i najprawdopodobniej w dalszym ciągu mają. Na pewno nie jest to książka bez wad. Chyba nie do końca przemawia do mnie forma w której czytelnik nie dowiaduje się w całości o dalszych losach bohaterów. Natomiast końcówka, według mnie, z niewytłumaczalnych przyczyn, daje dużą nadzieję na lepsze jutro. Nawet się wzruszyłam. Moim głównym zarzutem jest właśnie sama forma. No i ten jeden irytujący dzieciak z drugiego tomu. Rozumiem chyba motywacje bohatera i to czemu taki jest, natomiast fakt faktem mógłby sobie darować nazywanie głównej bohaterki co drugie zdanie "głupią idiotką" bo w pewnym momencie chciałam wyrzucić tę książkę za okno. Będę wracać do niej myślami, tym bardziej, że początek strasznie przypominał mi książkę "Dopóki rosną cytrynowe drzewa", która zajmuje istotne miejsce wśród moich ulubionych pozycji. No i oczywiście nie zapominajmy o tym, że jest to dramat konfliktu zbrojnego ukazany z perspektywy dzieci, które nigdy nie powinny cierpieć z tytułu dorosłych, a jednak to robią...
January 18, 2018
"Those flowers won't grow in that soil," someone said. "There are no nutrients in it."
"Even if they grow, they will be trampled."
"The marketplace is no spot for flowers. Why are you planting them there?"
Through the voices of derision came another voice. "Do none of you appreciate nature? This boy has undertaken to bring a bit of beauty into our gray marketplace, and do you thank him? Do you help him?" An old man pushed his way to the front of the little gathering. With difficulty, he knelt down to help Parvana plant the flowers. "Afghans love beautiful things," he said, "but we have seen so much ugliness, we sometimes forget how wonderful a thing like a flower is."
"Even if they grow, they will be trampled."
"The marketplace is no spot for flowers. Why are you planting them there?"
Through the voices of derision came another voice. "Do none of you appreciate nature? This boy has undertaken to bring a bit of beauty into our gray marketplace, and do you thank him? Do you help him?" An old man pushed his way to the front of the little gathering. With difficulty, he knelt down to help Parvana plant the flowers. "Afghans love beautiful things," he said, "but we have seen so much ugliness, we sometimes forget how wonderful a thing like a flower is."
August 28, 2017
Did you know around 5,757 civilians died last year because of the Taliban? The book that I read for summer reading was the “Breadwinner Trilogy.” I rated this book four stars for a few different reasons. First of all, I loved how much detail the author put into it. I almost felt like I was experiencing every thing along with Parvana and Shauzia. Each chapter was different and far from boring. Parvana was always working on something new, from working up enough money for a serving tray, to setting out on a quest to find her family.
Most Goodreads users loved this book! I agree with them because this book was packed full with action. Sometimes I would start reading and not be able to put it down. It helped me understand what life is like for women in Afganistan. It is so sad that they are discriminated and that they can't even go outside without a male escort. Some people on Goodreads claimed that the last book was terrible and that it was only about a “stupid bratty girl.” I do not agree with this statement. Though at some times she could be a little bit ignorant, Shauzia was just a girl in a war-torn world trying to stay alive.
One thing that I did not like as much about the book was the transition from the first book to the second book. When I turned the page, and she was burying her father I was baffled. I had just read about them together, and now he is dead? I felt like that could have been a lot less surprising. She also didn't explain what happened in that gap of time until she was done burying him. Another thing that I didn't like was that we never had any closure to either of their stories. I wanted to know if Parvana and Shauzia ever made it to Paris. At the very end, Shauzia just ran off to accompany the nurses on their dangerous journey. I will never know if she survived or not.
Although these might sound like huge errors, I still loved the book all the same. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time I was reading, waiting to see what would happen next. After taking in all of three of these books, I am now much more grateful for the things that I used to take for granted. Kids that live there probably dream of a place without constant shootings and bombings. We don't have to go to bed every night wondering if we will survive the next day. This story was very inspiring, and I hope that I can read other books like it!
Most Goodreads users loved this book! I agree with them because this book was packed full with action. Sometimes I would start reading and not be able to put it down. It helped me understand what life is like for women in Afganistan. It is so sad that they are discriminated and that they can't even go outside without a male escort. Some people on Goodreads claimed that the last book was terrible and that it was only about a “stupid bratty girl.” I do not agree with this statement. Though at some times she could be a little bit ignorant, Shauzia was just a girl in a war-torn world trying to stay alive.
One thing that I did not like as much about the book was the transition from the first book to the second book. When I turned the page, and she was burying her father I was baffled. I had just read about them together, and now he is dead? I felt like that could have been a lot less surprising. She also didn't explain what happened in that gap of time until she was done burying him. Another thing that I didn't like was that we never had any closure to either of their stories. I wanted to know if Parvana and Shauzia ever made it to Paris. At the very end, Shauzia just ran off to accompany the nurses on their dangerous journey. I will never know if she survived or not.
Although these might sound like huge errors, I still loved the book all the same. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time I was reading, waiting to see what would happen next. After taking in all of three of these books, I am now much more grateful for the things that I used to take for granted. Kids that live there probably dream of a place without constant shootings and bombings. We don't have to go to bed every night wondering if we will survive the next day. This story was very inspiring, and I hope that I can read other books like it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 27, 2017
When I found out that I not only had to read one, but two summer reading books, I panicked, then proceeded to choose The Breadwinner Trilogy. After reading the book, I am glad that it was one of the two that I read. While at times it had its lows, overall it was an enjoyable read.
To begin with, the book’s honesty and pacing were incredible. I love how it describes how Kaseem’s (or Parvana’s) journey as the Taliban becomes more prominent in everyday life and restricts what she can do as a girl. The book demonstrates what lengths people under such conditions will go to to get food, water, and money. From pretending to be a boy to digging up dead bones just to get paid, the atmosphere was prominent. One of my favorite things about this book was the references to Parvana’s deceased brother, such as naming the starving baby boy she found after him. The way that Ellis made it so that Parvana told the reader how she felt about things and then leaving them to infer things was enjoyable. We learn about what the Taliban is enforcing through reading Parvana’s thoughts, and that alone made me want to continue reading and find out what will happen next.
To continue, while the book does a fantastic job of portraying the struggles that everyone was facing, it also shows how people used their faith, support of friends and family, and hope to overcome many obstacles they had to face. Whenever Parvana was without food, she tried her best to stay strong, even though it seemed that everything else was against her. She knocked other a pot of rice, saw people broken and without a will to press forward, and even had to deal with attempting to gather both food and water for two other people. When these things seemed like they would make her journey near impossible she tried to keep her calm and make do with whatever life gave her.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. It found the right mix between explanation and action, all while telling a moving story that informed its readers of what people under the Taliban’s rule had to endure. I'm glad I chose this as one of my two summer reading books. Otherwise, I don't think I would have stumbled upon it. I would recommend this to anyone looking to read a book with a serious theme and likable characters.
To begin with, the book’s honesty and pacing were incredible. I love how it describes how Kaseem’s (or Parvana’s) journey as the Taliban becomes more prominent in everyday life and restricts what she can do as a girl. The book demonstrates what lengths people under such conditions will go to to get food, water, and money. From pretending to be a boy to digging up dead bones just to get paid, the atmosphere was prominent. One of my favorite things about this book was the references to Parvana’s deceased brother, such as naming the starving baby boy she found after him. The way that Ellis made it so that Parvana told the reader how she felt about things and then leaving them to infer things was enjoyable. We learn about what the Taliban is enforcing through reading Parvana’s thoughts, and that alone made me want to continue reading and find out what will happen next.
To continue, while the book does a fantastic job of portraying the struggles that everyone was facing, it also shows how people used their faith, support of friends and family, and hope to overcome many obstacles they had to face. Whenever Parvana was without food, she tried her best to stay strong, even though it seemed that everything else was against her. She knocked other a pot of rice, saw people broken and without a will to press forward, and even had to deal with attempting to gather both food and water for two other people. When these things seemed like they would make her journey near impossible she tried to keep her calm and make do with whatever life gave her.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. It found the right mix between explanation and action, all while telling a moving story that informed its readers of what people under the Taliban’s rule had to endure. I'm glad I chose this as one of my two summer reading books. Otherwise, I don't think I would have stumbled upon it. I would recommend this to anyone looking to read a book with a serious theme and likable characters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 23, 2020
If you've ever heard anyone say that a book changed their life, this is that book trilogy for me. This was one of the first books/trilogies I have ever read and it forever changed my perspective on reading. The story is so rich beyond it's reading level and I feel like there is endless value just pouring from its pages. I would recommend this book to hands down literally anyone because I feel like it's a story everyone should know. This is beautifully written, super captivating, a very interesting topic to read about, and ultimately just one of those books/trilogies that I believe everyone must read at some point in their life no matter their reading level.
September 3, 2010
Book one was great. It offered a realistic look at life for women under the Taliban and had very likeable characters. Book two warranted a 2 star. Characters were introduced that I couldn't stand. Book three lost my interest completely. It was a girl and a dog traveling Pakistan eating trash and throwing food at people.
Overall rating: three.
Overall rating: three.
March 3, 2016
" It's easy to call someone else scared when your'e safe inside your home all the time "
April 26, 2025
Rating on average per book: 4 stars
The Breadwinner review: 4 stars
this was such a great book. i think its the perfect reading level for young readers, whilst also being thought provoking and important! even as an adult, i found the book interesting, and at the same time, found it extremely upsetting.
parvana is an amazing protagonist and inspiring to anyone who reads the novel. she has a complex understanding of war; she understands the roles of innocents, the roles of power .. the dangers of dehumanizing opposition. she is intelligent, and brave. it's hard to imagine having to go through what she goes through, and that's why novels like this are so important. they talk about difficult things that many people will never face; it also puts so many trivial issues people face into perspective. one of my favourite scenes was when she took her little sister outside to help fill up the tap. the privilege to step outside and feel the sun on your face is a basic right. yet, it’s a tragic realization knowing it isn’t a basic right for so many people.
parvana's story, this novel, is such a stunning literary piece.
'The Breadwinner' is powerful, profound, and a series i can't wait to continue.
Parvana’s Journey review: 4.75 stars
“Parvana’s Journey” was the most impactful addition to the Breadwinner trilogy for me. There were so many evocative and strong moments in which Deborah Ellis uses her ability of world building to challenge the reader; this book was incredibly dark at times, darker than the first instalment, but that was exactly what made it so impactful.
One of the lines that stuck out to me was when Parvana was watching Leila exercise her imagination and wishes that she were still a kid and could do the same. And yet she is still a kid. Her wish to simply indulge in her imagination in comparison to her everyday life paints an incredibly stark picture that I thought was so impactful.
I liked the characters in this book more than I did in “The Breadwinner” and enjoyed Asif and Parvana’s dynamic. The small handful of times Parvana feels happy and safe occur when she is bickering with Asif. Their bickering, and childish conversations, felt so realistic I could really picture these children to be genuine people, rather than just characters.
This was the best book in the trilogy for me, and I would highly recommend this book to all readers.
Mud City review: 3.25 stars
'Mud City' on it's own would have been a strong stand-alone novel, but I was disappointed in it's place as a series installment and finale. 'Mud City' should have been a novella added onto the 'Breadwinner Trilogy' rather than the last book in the series.
Shauzia is interesting and much different from Parvana; at times she is surly and irritable, but as the reader, you are still rooting for her. I think this is a great representation of Ellis' ability to create complex characters that aren't perfect; despite their imperfections, and differences you still root for her protagonist. Both protagonists are different from each other; Ellis isn't just talented in creating a specific character archetype, but multiple.
Although, as a finale book, I felt let down -- I was wanting more. The first two books focused specifically on Parvana, and it doesn't make sense to me why the last book wouldn't tie up her story. Although Shauzia's story is interesting and engaging, I was wondering multiple times: what happened to Parvana? It made me feel disconnected from the story as my mind kept wandering.
I don't think 'Mud City' is a bad book or a disappointing book in any means, but I do think in regards to the trilogy, those criticisms would apply. I would definitely still recommend this series, but I was frustrated with the lack of information on Parvana. Looking forward to eventually reading the added books 4+5, but wished 'Mud City' was an added book, and book 4 was the 3rd in the series.
Also a quick note: I loved Jasper.
The Breadwinner review: 4 stars
this was such a great book. i think its the perfect reading level for young readers, whilst also being thought provoking and important! even as an adult, i found the book interesting, and at the same time, found it extremely upsetting.
parvana is an amazing protagonist and inspiring to anyone who reads the novel. she has a complex understanding of war; she understands the roles of innocents, the roles of power .. the dangers of dehumanizing opposition. she is intelligent, and brave. it's hard to imagine having to go through what she goes through, and that's why novels like this are so important. they talk about difficult things that many people will never face; it also puts so many trivial issues people face into perspective. one of my favourite scenes was when she took her little sister outside to help fill up the tap. the privilege to step outside and feel the sun on your face is a basic right. yet, it’s a tragic realization knowing it isn’t a basic right for so many people.
parvana's story, this novel, is such a stunning literary piece.
'The Breadwinner' is powerful, profound, and a series i can't wait to continue.
Parvana’s Journey review: 4.75 stars
“Parvana’s Journey” was the most impactful addition to the Breadwinner trilogy for me. There were so many evocative and strong moments in which Deborah Ellis uses her ability of world building to challenge the reader; this book was incredibly dark at times, darker than the first instalment, but that was exactly what made it so impactful.
One of the lines that stuck out to me was when Parvana was watching Leila exercise her imagination and wishes that she were still a kid and could do the same. And yet she is still a kid. Her wish to simply indulge in her imagination in comparison to her everyday life paints an incredibly stark picture that I thought was so impactful.
I liked the characters in this book more than I did in “The Breadwinner” and enjoyed Asif and Parvana’s dynamic. The small handful of times Parvana feels happy and safe occur when she is bickering with Asif. Their bickering, and childish conversations, felt so realistic I could really picture these children to be genuine people, rather than just characters.
This was the best book in the trilogy for me, and I would highly recommend this book to all readers.
Mud City review: 3.25 stars
'Mud City' on it's own would have been a strong stand-alone novel, but I was disappointed in it's place as a series installment and finale. 'Mud City' should have been a novella added onto the 'Breadwinner Trilogy' rather than the last book in the series.
Shauzia is interesting and much different from Parvana; at times she is surly and irritable, but as the reader, you are still rooting for her. I think this is a great representation of Ellis' ability to create complex characters that aren't perfect; despite their imperfections, and differences you still root for her protagonist. Both protagonists are different from each other; Ellis isn't just talented in creating a specific character archetype, but multiple.
Although, as a finale book, I felt let down -- I was wanting more. The first two books focused specifically on Parvana, and it doesn't make sense to me why the last book wouldn't tie up her story. Although Shauzia's story is interesting and engaging, I was wondering multiple times: what happened to Parvana? It made me feel disconnected from the story as my mind kept wandering.
I don't think 'Mud City' is a bad book or a disappointing book in any means, but I do think in regards to the trilogy, those criticisms would apply. I would definitely still recommend this series, but I was frustrated with the lack of information on Parvana. Looking forward to eventually reading the added books 4+5, but wished 'Mud City' was an added book, and book 4 was the 3rd in the series.
Also a quick note: I loved Jasper.
August 26, 2017
The Breadwinner Trilogy is one of the most moving and inspirational books I have read in a long time. There are several moments in this book where I was brought to tears and many others where I jumped for joy when the characters overcame a huge obstacle.
Many reviews of this book contained praises for it, and I 100% agree with that notion. Still, other reviews were calling the book "boring" or "slow-paced." I completely disagree with these statements because this book is exciting and suspenseful in its own right. Sure the book might not contain magical heroes fighting a mighty dragon, or harrowing battle scenes that have you on the edge of your seat, but this book is filled to the brim with action. The main characters of both Parvanas Journey and Mud City, are constantly fighting with everything they've got. While there are many scenes in the books that could be seen as boring, if you read more into those scenes, you realize that these books are full of detail and every single word is important to the story. The main characters are unforgettable, and this book has many life messages that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.
While this book is easily one of my new favorites, I do have one issue with it. The endings of these books are some of the most unfulfilling endings I have ever read. While some have said that they hated the last book, I didn't. I did, however, hate how both Parvanas Journey and Mud City ended. Both of these books ended on major cliff-hangers and left many unanswered questions. In addition, one of the primary goals for the two main characters of these books was to get to Paris in twenty years, and we never see this happen. In some of the darker moments in these books, it is often the only thing keeping the main characters, Parvana and Shauzia, going.
Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone who would like to read it. I feel that this book is one that everyone should read at some point in their life. While I wish that the endings were more clear and I would have loved to see Parvana and Shauzia meet in Paris, this book was truly a fantastic read. I finished this book with a new view on life and a much larger expanse of knowledge than what I had before reading it. Both teens and adults will love this book, and if you are thinking about reading it, I definitely believe you should.
Many reviews of this book contained praises for it, and I 100% agree with that notion. Still, other reviews were calling the book "boring" or "slow-paced." I completely disagree with these statements because this book is exciting and suspenseful in its own right. Sure the book might not contain magical heroes fighting a mighty dragon, or harrowing battle scenes that have you on the edge of your seat, but this book is filled to the brim with action. The main characters of both Parvanas Journey and Mud City, are constantly fighting with everything they've got. While there are many scenes in the books that could be seen as boring, if you read more into those scenes, you realize that these books are full of detail and every single word is important to the story. The main characters are unforgettable, and this book has many life messages that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.
While this book is easily one of my new favorites, I do have one issue with it. The endings of these books are some of the most unfulfilling endings I have ever read. While some have said that they hated the last book, I didn't. I did, however, hate how both Parvanas Journey and Mud City ended. Both of these books ended on major cliff-hangers and left many unanswered questions. In addition, one of the primary goals for the two main characters of these books was to get to Paris in twenty years, and we never see this happen. In some of the darker moments in these books, it is often the only thing keeping the main characters, Parvana and Shauzia, going.
Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone who would like to read it. I feel that this book is one that everyone should read at some point in their life. While I wish that the endings were more clear and I would have loved to see Parvana and Shauzia meet in Paris, this book was truly a fantastic read. I finished this book with a new view on life and a much larger expanse of knowledge than what I had before reading it. Both teens and adults will love this book, and if you are thinking about reading it, I definitely believe you should.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 27, 2017
According to UNICEF, the average street child in Kabul (children who sell things on the street) earns 2 dollars a day. This is likely the only means of support for their families. The Breadwinner Trilogy is a stunning testament to these children, who struggle and risk their lives every day in order to support their family. It must have taken an incredible amount of time for the writer to find these children in Kabul and compile all their stories into a book. In my opinion the book was simplistic and didn't do justice to the complicated stories it was telling. Besides this I enjoyed the book.
I agree with what user Jjen wrote about this book. When you read about how girls and women can't go outside without a male supervisor in Kabul, it gives you perspective. We don't know how lucky we are to live in a world where women and girls are valued. Equal opportunities are available for both genders. Women don't have to hide their skills in our society. Furthermore, investing in education for girls boosts the national economic growth of a country substantially. Although there are many benefits to educating girls, the government of Afghanistan doesn't understand this. This lack of understanding is bringing them down.
I also agree with what Goodreads user Angel posted about this book. She gave it four stars. She said that the book was very emotional and moving. I agree with this. Sympathizing with the characters was easy. I could feel the hardships they were going through even though I have never experienced anything close to what they have. I have never had to watch my father go to jail, pretend to be a boy, sell trinkets for a living, or dig human bones out of the ground to make a little more money. I have never had to endure that hardship and pain, yet I felt as though I understood it. I think the author did an excellent job of making the books feel relatable and relevant.
I agree with what user Jjen wrote about this book. When you read about how girls and women can't go outside without a male supervisor in Kabul, it gives you perspective. We don't know how lucky we are to live in a world where women and girls are valued. Equal opportunities are available for both genders. Women don't have to hide their skills in our society. Furthermore, investing in education for girls boosts the national economic growth of a country substantially. Although there are many benefits to educating girls, the government of Afghanistan doesn't understand this. This lack of understanding is bringing them down.
I also agree with what Goodreads user Angel posted about this book. She gave it four stars. She said that the book was very emotional and moving. I agree with this. Sympathizing with the characters was easy. I could feel the hardships they were going through even though I have never experienced anything close to what they have. I have never had to watch my father go to jail, pretend to be a boy, sell trinkets for a living, or dig human bones out of the ground to make a little more money. I have never had to endure that hardship and pain, yet I felt as though I understood it. I think the author did an excellent job of making the books feel relatable and relevant.
August 25, 2017
Most people on Goodreads say that they liked this book, and I agree. Both the remarkable detail and truth in this book are unforgettable. I especially love how the author portrays the struggles of the characters throughout the books. The plot was like a roller coaster, twisting and turning everywhere, even turning the plot upside down in parts. You never knew what to expect or what would happen next.
Some people on Goodreads called the book “slow paced and boring” and said that “the last book ruined it for them,” and I completely disagree, the breadwinner trilogy is anything but boring, being action packed at parts and always leaving you on the edge of your seat. When I started reading it I couldn't stop, I sometimes even read as late as 12:30! ( That’s long when you start at 8:00) Also, the third book was one of the best of the three, describing Parvana’s friend, Shauzia and her journey away from refugee camps by herself.
I do have one gripe about this book, overall I love it but what really bugs me is the fact that we never get to see how or if Shauzia and Parvana meet in Paris or not. This bugs me so much because the whole series builds up to Parvana and Shauzia working towards a trip to Paris and meeting on top of the Eiffel Tower in 20 years, but we never get to see it happen. Without this part, the series almost feels incomplete, like a chapter was accidentally cut out from the end or something.
So overall, a great book to read. If you like books about refugees or books similar to I am Malala or a Long Way Gone, definitely read this book. Kids and adults alike love this book ( I know because my parents read it and loved it) though the ending could be better I would definitely recommend reading this book, you'll love it.
Some people on Goodreads called the book “slow paced and boring” and said that “the last book ruined it for them,” and I completely disagree, the breadwinner trilogy is anything but boring, being action packed at parts and always leaving you on the edge of your seat. When I started reading it I couldn't stop, I sometimes even read as late as 12:30! ( That’s long when you start at 8:00) Also, the third book was one of the best of the three, describing Parvana’s friend, Shauzia and her journey away from refugee camps by herself.
I do have one gripe about this book, overall I love it but what really bugs me is the fact that we never get to see how or if Shauzia and Parvana meet in Paris or not. This bugs me so much because the whole series builds up to Parvana and Shauzia working towards a trip to Paris and meeting on top of the Eiffel Tower in 20 years, but we never get to see it happen. Without this part, the series almost feels incomplete, like a chapter was accidentally cut out from the end or something.
So overall, a great book to read. If you like books about refugees or books similar to I am Malala or a Long Way Gone, definitely read this book. Kids and adults alike love this book ( I know because my parents read it and loved it) though the ending could be better I would definitely recommend reading this book, you'll love it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 6, 2022
Fabuła pełna brutalności. Tragediami, które przydarzają się głównym bohaterkom, można by obdzielić kilkanaście osób. Kiedy wydaje się, że nic gorszego nie może się zdarzyć - niespodzianka, jest gorzej. Rozumiem, że miało to pokazać różnorodne wymiary cierpienia, którym kolektywnie i indywidualnie poddawane są mieszkanki Afganistanu. Ale to, że książka pokazuje wszystkie możliwe okropności tej wojny i okupacji na dwóch dziewczynkach, odbiera jej realności. Mimo wszystko, bardzo wartościowa i poruszająca lektura. Jednak zdecydowanie nie jest to książka dla dzieci czy młodszej młodzieży, jak może wskazywać okładka czy opisy. Dla starszej młodzieży może z odpowiednim przygotowaniem.
June 7, 2018
I flew through this book! I absolutely couldn't put this book down. I couldn't imagine what it would be like to have to life of these characters. Constantly moving from place to place not have a sufficient and stable home and/or food source. Everyone was in danger all the time 24/7. This book made me appreciate my home more then I could have ever imagined.
July 23, 2018
The hardest thing about this series for me is how unfinished it felt. However, I don’t see how it could be any other way, as the conflicts in Afghanistan are unresolved, and likely to be so for the foreseeable future. My heart breaks for all the real people these characters are based on.
March 8, 2023
Mam wrażenie, że to nie jest książka dla dzieci. I że wszystkie trudne tematy, które podejmuje autorka, żeby faktycznie wybrzmiały, powinny mieć dużo więcej przestrzeni.
Na pewno przydałyby się trigger warnings.
Na pewno przydałyby się trigger warnings.
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December 11, 2025💔💔💔
September 12, 2015
The breadwinner trilogy is a good read for those who want a greater insight on the oppression that al-quadea imposed upon Afghanistan citizens and the troubles they faced. The books focuses in on 2 girls. The first two books talk about a girl named Parvana, who had to act and dress like a man In order to support her family after her father is taken away. The first book focuses in on this life Parvana must lead as she goes around translating letters helping shop keepers and running errands. Her life is hard but she makes it through, even with the lose of her father she continues on helping her family stay strong throughout these times. But tough times call for touch choices, for example Parvana end up raiding graves to sell the bones of the dead, and as morbid as it is, what's really messed up about it that a child is doing it. No child should be stuck with these kinds of jobs simply to survive. The first book is probably the slowest of them all, as for the most part it's just following Parvana around on her jobs and the kinds of things she must experience. Her family will let many people in and the first book empathizes this as it comes to show how caring she and her family can be, despite all the violence occurring at the time.
The second book in the breadwinner trilogy is a sadder story than the first, what happens is that her father end up returning home but dies shortly after, to top it all of her family is separated. Now Parvana wanders the desert looking for the rest of her family, specifically her mother. She comes across many people in her journeys. One of people she meets is a boy in a cave with a missing leg who is incredibly hostile towards her at first but later he starts to understand that they need each other as they come to realize how dangeres the desert is. They almost blew themselves up at one point while chucking rocks in a field, and this is how they come meet a young girl around the age of 7. She lets them into her house were they live at for some time until a stray bomb blows up there house killing the younger girls grandmother. Once again they must wander some more, meet more people, and evanutly they find themselves at a refugee camp. It is here, is were Parvana finds her mother. But not all is well as the younger girl is blown up by a land mine while trying to collect a supply drop that landed in a minefield.
The third book in the breadwinners trilogy changes the perspective from parvana to her old school friend Shaziua, an her journeys throughout Afghanistan trying to find a way France despite not having any good idea were to find it. All she knows is that she must reach a ocean. Her journeys take her to Kabul were she takes the identity of a boy does miscellaneous jobs and begging. She is trying to earn enough money to get a ride across the "ocean" even though she is unaware how to even find this ocean. Things like always, don't go as planned and she ends up losing her money and finds herself Ina refugee camp were she is to understand that she not the only person in the world who's life is hard.
So what did I think about this book,and would I recommend it. First of all I'll say I did enjoy the books,it could have been better as things were too slow for my taste but that is to be expected in these kinds of books. If you're so one like me who enjoys action/suspense filled books these novels hard to read. What's good about the book though is how it gives a great perspective of how life was in Afghanistan under al Qaeda rule and what it forced some people to do. In Parvanas case she had to dress as a boy and become the the "breadwinner" hence the trilogy name. She did all this despite the risk being extremely high, because if she was caught she would most certainly be killed and her family could easily follow. It's the same case for Shaziua as she was even doing riskier business and she came very very close to being caught which would have ended horribly. So overall it's a good book series with a clear and concise message that I would recommend if your into these kinds of novels.
The second book in the breadwinner trilogy is a sadder story than the first, what happens is that her father end up returning home but dies shortly after, to top it all of her family is separated. Now Parvana wanders the desert looking for the rest of her family, specifically her mother. She comes across many people in her journeys. One of people she meets is a boy in a cave with a missing leg who is incredibly hostile towards her at first but later he starts to understand that they need each other as they come to realize how dangeres the desert is. They almost blew themselves up at one point while chucking rocks in a field, and this is how they come meet a young girl around the age of 7. She lets them into her house were they live at for some time until a stray bomb blows up there house killing the younger girls grandmother. Once again they must wander some more, meet more people, and evanutly they find themselves at a refugee camp. It is here, is were Parvana finds her mother. But not all is well as the younger girl is blown up by a land mine while trying to collect a supply drop that landed in a minefield.
The third book in the breadwinners trilogy changes the perspective from parvana to her old school friend Shaziua, an her journeys throughout Afghanistan trying to find a way France despite not having any good idea were to find it. All she knows is that she must reach a ocean. Her journeys take her to Kabul were she takes the identity of a boy does miscellaneous jobs and begging. She is trying to earn enough money to get a ride across the "ocean" even though she is unaware how to even find this ocean. Things like always, don't go as planned and she ends up losing her money and finds herself Ina refugee camp were she is to understand that she not the only person in the world who's life is hard.
So what did I think about this book,and would I recommend it. First of all I'll say I did enjoy the books,it could have been better as things were too slow for my taste but that is to be expected in these kinds of books. If you're so one like me who enjoys action/suspense filled books these novels hard to read. What's good about the book though is how it gives a great perspective of how life was in Afghanistan under al Qaeda rule and what it forced some people to do. In Parvanas case she had to dress as a boy and become the the "breadwinner" hence the trilogy name. She did all this despite the risk being extremely high, because if she was caught she would most certainly be killed and her family could easily follow. It's the same case for Shaziua as she was even doing riskier business and she came very very close to being caught which would have ended horribly. So overall it's a good book series with a clear and concise message that I would recommend if your into these kinds of novels.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 21, 2015
I read this book for my summer reading project and ended up being very intrigued and interested in the storyline, characters, and culture. I loved to learn about the differences in lives, specifically women's and girls', that are exhibited in Afghanistan and the Middle East region. Overall, people seem to really enjoy this book, just as I did. The first story focuses on a girl named Parvana. She lives with her family in Kabul, Afghanistan in a very small apartment, and they are barely managing to get food. When her father is arrested for receiving foreign education, she must work to feed the family and keep them alive. To do so, she disguises herself as a boy and tries to make money in the market. As the story progresses, she becomes a stronger and more independent young girl, as she is faced with many obstacles and hardships. In the end, her dad is released from prison, and they journey to find their family. I liked this book very much because it shows that girls can push through tough situations and come out even stronger.
The second book focuses on Parvana's journey to find her mother and siblings. She leaves with her father, but soon he dies, and she is left to fend for herself. She writes all her feelings down in letters she plans to send to Shauzia. Soon she has made herself a small family of children she has taken in on the way. Asif, a boy almost her age, Leila, a young girl, and Hassan, a baby boy, travel with her as she journeys on. They travel and find a refugee camp, where Leila is killed by land mines. She finds her mother and siblings there, and they reunite as a whole family, including Hassan and Asif. I really liked this story because it shows leadership and strength again even when you might feel like giving up.
The last book is about her friend Shauzia. Shauzia feels she is stuck at a refugee camp where all she does is take orders from the head Mrs. Weera. She decides she wants to go to the sea and leaves to make money to do so. She, disguised as a boy, must make a life in the streets of big cities, and must learn to protect herself and her dog. She works very hard and saves a lot of money, but one day she is wrongly put in prison and has her money taken. She is freed by an American family and goes to live with them, and the whole mood of the story changes, but soon they place her in the same refugee camp as before. In the end, she decides to go with Mrs. Weera to help people trying to leave Afghanistan. I liked this story because it shows how you can keep going and continue making your life better even after so many disappointments.
In conclusion, I liked this book a lot because of the truth it portrayed and the reality that was beautifully explained. It opened my eyes to this new culture where I could not do anything in because I was a girl. The writing style was never too simple or boring; it covered the whole idea of the story. The author described everything very well and made it easy to visualize. She presented characters that developed throughout the books and that you could relate to in many aspects. Many people loved that this book, which opened all of our eyes to a whole different style of living in the Middle East, was available for kids to read. I also liked this because we got a glimpse of the culture and lifestyle there without reading a difficult book. I agree with the many reviews that state that although it was not truly graphic, you still felt and imagined the terrible things that the kids in the story experienced, and that real kids experience every day. After reading other reviews, I realized I wasn't the only one who thought that the characters were very relatable. It's so easy to get attached to each one of them. Even though it was sad, it was so interesting that I couldn't stop reading it. I was glad many others felt this way too. I think teenage girls and other women would especially be able to relate to this book because of the focus of a girl's life in Afghanistan, but I recommend it to everyone.
The second book focuses on Parvana's journey to find her mother and siblings. She leaves with her father, but soon he dies, and she is left to fend for herself. She writes all her feelings down in letters she plans to send to Shauzia. Soon she has made herself a small family of children she has taken in on the way. Asif, a boy almost her age, Leila, a young girl, and Hassan, a baby boy, travel with her as she journeys on. They travel and find a refugee camp, where Leila is killed by land mines. She finds her mother and siblings there, and they reunite as a whole family, including Hassan and Asif. I really liked this story because it shows leadership and strength again even when you might feel like giving up.
The last book is about her friend Shauzia. Shauzia feels she is stuck at a refugee camp where all she does is take orders from the head Mrs. Weera. She decides she wants to go to the sea and leaves to make money to do so. She, disguised as a boy, must make a life in the streets of big cities, and must learn to protect herself and her dog. She works very hard and saves a lot of money, but one day she is wrongly put in prison and has her money taken. She is freed by an American family and goes to live with them, and the whole mood of the story changes, but soon they place her in the same refugee camp as before. In the end, she decides to go with Mrs. Weera to help people trying to leave Afghanistan. I liked this story because it shows how you can keep going and continue making your life better even after so many disappointments.
In conclusion, I liked this book a lot because of the truth it portrayed and the reality that was beautifully explained. It opened my eyes to this new culture where I could not do anything in because I was a girl. The writing style was never too simple or boring; it covered the whole idea of the story. The author described everything very well and made it easy to visualize. She presented characters that developed throughout the books and that you could relate to in many aspects. Many people loved that this book, which opened all of our eyes to a whole different style of living in the Middle East, was available for kids to read. I also liked this because we got a glimpse of the culture and lifestyle there without reading a difficult book. I agree with the many reviews that state that although it was not truly graphic, you still felt and imagined the terrible things that the kids in the story experienced, and that real kids experience every day. After reading other reviews, I realized I wasn't the only one who thought that the characters were very relatable. It's so easy to get attached to each one of them. Even though it was sad, it was so interesting that I couldn't stop reading it. I was glad many others felt this way too. I think teenage girls and other women would especially be able to relate to this book because of the focus of a girl's life in Afghanistan, but I recommend it to everyone.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 14, 2016
Reviewed separately, Book 1, The Breadwinner is 4 stars
This book is an instructive eye-opener which I recommend and also use as a World Lit choice for students at high school level. Like others written for Young Adults -such as Escape from Warsaw (Europe), Year of Impossile Goodbyes (Korea), The Clay Marble (Cambodia), and especially Iqbal (Pakistan), Daughter of Venice-- someone can read a book about the lives of children facing serious life struggles and finally finding their way. Such books are quickly read and as true literature does, they ask the Big Questions, give the reader historical information, and enrich the reader with vicarious experience delivered by appealing characters for whom there is empathy.
In The Breadwinner, Parvana is a young girl who must dress like a boy in order to leave her family’s house. She must work and shop for the things her family needs. Her father, who was literate in several languages, is in prison and her mother and sisters have no other male to help them. Parvana makes a friend, Shauzia, and together they work odd jobs; through their eyes the reader sees Afghanistan as the Taliban gained power. Women who had been doctors and professors could no longer leave their homes. The Breadwinner ends on an upbeat note, with her father released from prison and the 2 of them traveling to join her mother and sisters in the city where her sister Nooria is to be married.
Book 2: Parvana’s Journey 3.5 stars
Not having found her mother yet, Parvana suffers horrific loss and terrible sorrow. She finds friends and safety from time to time, but eventually must move on as conditions in Afghanistan change and wars continue. The reader is proud of Parvana’s survival skills and admires her generosity and kindness. The book is well-written and includes memorable characters (including a baby) and scenes (minefields, bombings). Ending at a refugee camp, she finds her mother at last. However, the next book does not give the reader more information about these characters, which is a disappointment.
Book 3, Mud City 2 stars.
In this book, Shauzia is the main character. She is not as likeable as Paravana, but many readers might see her traits as their own- plucky, brave, strong, bored, impatient, impulsive. From a refugee camp in Pakistan, she sets out to escape to France via the sea with her dog Jasper for company. Of course, she must dress as a boy for safety. She makes it to Peshawar, where she works small jobs for money, joins gangs of young scavengers, and begs in order to feed herself and Jasper. Her wide-ranging experiences include jail and western-style plentitude. However, there is no happy ending.
These books educate the reader about conditions some people live in in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Young readers especially might learn that being clean, taking showers and having clean clothes, shouldn’t be taken for granted. All the hard luck of the characters ought to instill gratitude in the reader. However….
After reading Book 3, I felt that the unrelenting sorrow, hardship, hunger, hopelessness, and horror was too much. I would recommend Book 1 and maybe 2 but not 3. Fiction, historical or literary (or both) has to leave the reader with at least some optimistic thought, or else it’s an expose and/or a call to action and rescue. Perhaps it’s a tragic story for a fund-raiser. There is now a Book 4, which I haven’t read. IF 4 can bring these 3 together, so be it.
It should be widely known that ending with Book 3 is a serious Bummer Letdown. It leaves the reader with no positive branch to cling to. I want my students to LIKE reading fiction.
Overall Trilogy rating: 3 stars
This book is an instructive eye-opener which I recommend and also use as a World Lit choice for students at high school level. Like others written for Young Adults -such as Escape from Warsaw (Europe), Year of Impossile Goodbyes (Korea), The Clay Marble (Cambodia), and especially Iqbal (Pakistan), Daughter of Venice-- someone can read a book about the lives of children facing serious life struggles and finally finding their way. Such books are quickly read and as true literature does, they ask the Big Questions, give the reader historical information, and enrich the reader with vicarious experience delivered by appealing characters for whom there is empathy.
In The Breadwinner, Parvana is a young girl who must dress like a boy in order to leave her family’s house. She must work and shop for the things her family needs. Her father, who was literate in several languages, is in prison and her mother and sisters have no other male to help them. Parvana makes a friend, Shauzia, and together they work odd jobs; through their eyes the reader sees Afghanistan as the Taliban gained power. Women who had been doctors and professors could no longer leave their homes. The Breadwinner ends on an upbeat note, with her father released from prison and the 2 of them traveling to join her mother and sisters in the city where her sister Nooria is to be married.
Book 2: Parvana’s Journey 3.5 stars
Not having found her mother yet, Parvana suffers horrific loss and terrible sorrow. She finds friends and safety from time to time, but eventually must move on as conditions in Afghanistan change and wars continue. The reader is proud of Parvana’s survival skills and admires her generosity and kindness. The book is well-written and includes memorable characters (including a baby) and scenes (minefields, bombings). Ending at a refugee camp, she finds her mother at last. However, the next book does not give the reader more information about these characters, which is a disappointment.
Book 3, Mud City 2 stars.
In this book, Shauzia is the main character. She is not as likeable as Paravana, but many readers might see her traits as their own- plucky, brave, strong, bored, impatient, impulsive. From a refugee camp in Pakistan, she sets out to escape to France via the sea with her dog Jasper for company. Of course, she must dress as a boy for safety. She makes it to Peshawar, where she works small jobs for money, joins gangs of young scavengers, and begs in order to feed herself and Jasper. Her wide-ranging experiences include jail and western-style plentitude. However, there is no happy ending.
These books educate the reader about conditions some people live in in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Young readers especially might learn that being clean, taking showers and having clean clothes, shouldn’t be taken for granted. All the hard luck of the characters ought to instill gratitude in the reader. However….
After reading Book 3, I felt that the unrelenting sorrow, hardship, hunger, hopelessness, and horror was too much. I would recommend Book 1 and maybe 2 but not 3. Fiction, historical or literary (or both) has to leave the reader with at least some optimistic thought, or else it’s an expose and/or a call to action and rescue. Perhaps it’s a tragic story for a fund-raiser. There is now a Book 4, which I haven’t read. IF 4 can bring these 3 together, so be it.
It should be widely known that ending with Book 3 is a serious Bummer Letdown. It leaves the reader with no positive branch to cling to. I want my students to LIKE reading fiction.
Overall Trilogy rating: 3 stars
September 3, 2016
The Breadwinner Trilogy is a remarkable book about two young girls in Afghanistan that went through many struggles during a war. At first, I thought this might be a book that I would abandon pretty soon, but as I got deeper and deeper into the book, I wanted to read more and more of it. This book reminded me a little bit of A Long Way Gone which I read last year and is also an amazingly good book. A Long Way Gone was a lot more violent and fast-paced which was exciting, but from time to time, confusing. The Breadwinner Trilogy slowed things down a lot more, but still had those quick action-packed parts.
The most exciting parts were the out-of-nowhere, unexpected twists and turns. One example of this was during the transition from the first book to the second one. The first one ends with Parvana and her father heading out on a journey to go search refugee camps where they hope to find the rest of their family. Then right off the bat, on the first sentence of the second book, it starts off with a man patting down Parvana's father's grave. What?!? This completely blew mind! I was ready to read about their journey, and then the beginning of the second book starts off with her father dead! This is the kind of reading that makes one want to read more and more, and Deborah Ellis did a great job of that in this book.
Deborah Ellis did a really good job of writing, in great detail, Parvana's and Shauzia's story. She really made the reader visualize and feel just like Parvana or Shauzia did in the book. Each setting and event I could almost clearly visualize in my mind, and put my feet in the two girls' shoes. I could almost feel exactly as they felt in their stories, and the settings of the books were described in so much detail.
The first and second book I liked the most while the third didn't interest me as much, but still was very well written. One main reason why I liked the first two books was because I really enjoyed Parvana's character, and the choices she made in her journeys. She tried to stay positive throughout her adventures, and her stories spoke more to me. Shauzia was more of a rude and unmannerly girl which made me dislike her character a lot more. In my opinion, her story was kind of unnecessary and I would have rather read about how Parvana's story continued, but I loved the book anyway.
I would recommend this book to anyone who has a big imagination and/or wants to visualize the type of life style people had in Afghanistan when the war broke out. This book provides tons of detail, excitement, and an amazing story of two very brave girls. This book may be a fiction book, but it feels like everything in this novel can be and is true.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 10, 2016
The Breadwinner was written by Deborah Ellis, and was first published in 2000. Deborah Ellis had been to Afghan refugee camps and heard many stories like Parvana's, so The Breadwinner is an original book about refugees living in Afghanistan. It is a historical fiction and a children’s novel book, so this book is readable and lucid. The Breadwinner is talks about an 11 year old girl called Parvana, who was forced to be the breadwinner for her family in the war in Afghanistan. It’s really difficult for her and her family because she needed to go out and get food for her family.
I liked this book because this book doesn't only explain how Parvana is feeling, but it also describes how other person survived in Afghanistan with the Taliban. Another writer asserts that “ The Taliban is a predominantly Pashtun, Islamic fundamentalist group that ruled Afghanistan from 1996 until 2001, when a U.S.-led invasion toppled the regime for providing refuge to al-Qaeda and Osama bin Laden” (David) For example, when Parvanna decides to disguise herself as a boy so that she can sell food in the market and earned money to keep lives, Parvanna’s sister could not bear the poor life and decides to marry and leave them. Parvana stays behind and works with Mrs. Weera. The woman helps Parvana and Parvana’s mom earned money to lives. It is difficult for every person who live in the war. People could not live with the family members. Hope and disappointment mix in their lives.
The Breadwinner will change the way you see the world:to be born a girl in Afghanistan. For instance, no women were allowed to work and all of the girls and women must stay inside their houses. All windows had to be c0ver over with black paint so that no one can see the women inside. That’s the reason why Parvana had to disguise herself as a boy to support her mother, two sisters, and her baby brother after the Taliban soldiers’ storm into her house and arrest her father. Her father needs to be a shield to protect his family by soldier’s persecution.
The Breadwinner is a significant book for women. It reminds us how brave and strong women are around the world, and how to live in a difficult circumstances. The Breadwinner is the most absorbing read not only for children but also for any person trying to understand the war in Afghanistan.
I liked this book because this book doesn't only explain how Parvana is feeling, but it also describes how other person survived in Afghanistan with the Taliban. Another writer asserts that “ The Taliban is a predominantly Pashtun, Islamic fundamentalist group that ruled Afghanistan from 1996 until 2001, when a U.S.-led invasion toppled the regime for providing refuge to al-Qaeda and Osama bin Laden” (David) For example, when Parvanna decides to disguise herself as a boy so that she can sell food in the market and earned money to keep lives, Parvanna’s sister could not bear the poor life and decides to marry and leave them. Parvana stays behind and works with Mrs. Weera. The woman helps Parvana and Parvana’s mom earned money to lives. It is difficult for every person who live in the war. People could not live with the family members. Hope and disappointment mix in their lives.
The Breadwinner will change the way you see the world:to be born a girl in Afghanistan. For instance, no women were allowed to work and all of the girls and women must stay inside their houses. All windows had to be c0ver over with black paint so that no one can see the women inside. That’s the reason why Parvana had to disguise herself as a boy to support her mother, two sisters, and her baby brother after the Taliban soldiers’ storm into her house and arrest her father. Her father needs to be a shield to protect his family by soldier’s persecution.
The Breadwinner is a significant book for women. It reminds us how brave and strong women are around the world, and how to live in a difficult circumstances. The Breadwinner is the most absorbing read not only for children but also for any person trying to understand the war in Afghanistan.
September 17, 2015
For my summer reading, I chose The Breadwinner Trilogy. It revealed the troubles in the Middle East. The author had left us many great inferences throughout the book. For example, the author did not simply wrote that Shauzia and Parvana would go bone hunting. Instead, she stated that the job made Parvana nerve wrecking. This action might infer that the job was dangerous. Many reviewers enjoyed the story, and I agree with them. The book was sad and thrilling, keeping our eyes glued to the page. When a Taliban soldier asked Parvana to read his letter, I was worried that she might get caught.
Parvana could be a role model or inspiration to many of us. She had held her family and endured hunger. Part one was about the life of Parvana after her father was arrested. Since women were not safe to go outside without men, Parvana dressed up as a boy. With the help of her friend Shauzia, she made money for her family. During the second part, Parvana goes on a long journey to find her remaining family after her father died. She had met new friends and a baby throughout the journey. She had also faced dangers from Taliban. However at the end, she had successfully made to a refugee camp where she united with her family. It was heartwarming because she was able to meet her family.
Let's make this quick. The third story was about the life of Shauzia (Parvana's old friend) in Pakistan. Her ultimate goal was to earn enough money for a trip to France to live a luxurious life. Shauzia worked and begged for money. After a lot of thinking, she decided to fold her dream and help the Afghanistan refugees. The strength of the book was the plot. The author had left us a powerful lesson throughout the book. Regardless how low the reading level was, it received so many positive reviews from other readers from all ages.
The book showed how ungrateful we are. Perhaps this will make us rethink about our choice. I would highly recommend this book for people who are interested in war and conditions in the Middle East.
Parvana could be a role model or inspiration to many of us. She had held her family and endured hunger. Part one was about the life of Parvana after her father was arrested. Since women were not safe to go outside without men, Parvana dressed up as a boy. With the help of her friend Shauzia, she made money for her family. During the second part, Parvana goes on a long journey to find her remaining family after her father died. She had met new friends and a baby throughout the journey. She had also faced dangers from Taliban. However at the end, she had successfully made to a refugee camp where she united with her family. It was heartwarming because she was able to meet her family.
Let's make this quick. The third story was about the life of Shauzia (Parvana's old friend) in Pakistan. Her ultimate goal was to earn enough money for a trip to France to live a luxurious life. Shauzia worked and begged for money. After a lot of thinking, she decided to fold her dream and help the Afghanistan refugees. The strength of the book was the plot. The author had left us a powerful lesson throughout the book. Regardless how low the reading level was, it received so many positive reviews from other readers from all ages.
The book showed how ungrateful we are. Perhaps this will make us rethink about our choice. I would highly recommend this book for people who are interested in war and conditions in the Middle East.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 25, 2015
1. Groundwood Books House of Anansi Press, no level
2. 11/9=30min, 11/10=60min, 11/11=60min
3. Afghan, Taliban, ruling, father, arrested, hardship, pretending
4.(a)Now I've got her, Parvana thought. I can make her as miserable as she makes me. But she was surprised to find that this thought gave her no pleasure. Maybe she was too tired and too hungry. Instead of turning her back, she took the money from her sister's hand.
(b)Parvana, the main character in this story, didn't obey at first the request her family and her acquaintance gave her to dressed like a man to buy food in the street. However, she gave in to the request because of her starving and tiredness. Then, I thought people can do what they don't want to when they are in extremely difficult situation. She is brave and very kind actually.
5. I didn't know how the Afghan life in the past was so severe till I read this book. Taliban, a Islamic group, forced many things to people there. One of things I was so surprised was woman couldn't go out without her husband at the time. And I was dissapointed how cruel Taliban was because they ruthlessly beated Parvana and her parents with sticks. I don't know how Afghan looks like now but I hope they, Afghan people can have peace.
2. 11/9=30min, 11/10=60min, 11/11=60min
3. Afghan, Taliban, ruling, father, arrested, hardship, pretending
4.(a)Now I've got her, Parvana thought. I can make her as miserable as she makes me. But she was surprised to find that this thought gave her no pleasure. Maybe she was too tired and too hungry. Instead of turning her back, she took the money from her sister's hand.
(b)Parvana, the main character in this story, didn't obey at first the request her family and her acquaintance gave her to dressed like a man to buy food in the street. However, she gave in to the request because of her starving and tiredness. Then, I thought people can do what they don't want to when they are in extremely difficult situation. She is brave and very kind actually.
5. I didn't know how the Afghan life in the past was so severe till I read this book. Taliban, a Islamic group, forced many things to people there. One of things I was so surprised was woman couldn't go out without her husband at the time. And I was dissapointed how cruel Taliban was because they ruthlessly beated Parvana and her parents with sticks. I don't know how Afghan looks like now but I hope they, Afghan people can have peace.
December 18, 2015
The book was introduced to me by my first class history teacher. He said that is the book that we where going to be reading for the month in his class. At first I thought that it was going to be another boring book that I was going to have to read, but after reading the first couple of chapters I couldn't wait to read the rest, But my teacher said that we aren't allowed to read ahead of him, and that we will be reading more and more each day during his class. By the time that we where finished with the book I was ready to read the other books in the series. Anyway the main point of this review is to tell you that you should read this book because it is a really good book and i give it all thumbs up!!!!
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