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The Breadwinner #2
Parvana's Journey
In Parvana's Journey, the Taliban still control Afghanistan, but Kabul is in ruins. Parvana's father has just died, and her mother, sister, and brother could be anywhere in the country. Parvana knows she must find them. Despite her youth, Parvana sets out alone, masquerading as a boy. She soon meets other children who are victims of war -- an infant boy in a bombed-out village, a nine-year-old girl who thinks she has magic powers over landmines, and a boy with one leg. The children travel together, forging a kind of family out of sheer need. The strength of their bond makes it possible to survive the most desperate conditions.
All royalties from the sale of this book will go to Women for Women, an organization that helps women in Afghanistan.
All royalties from the sale of this book will go to Women for Women, an organization that helps women in Afghanistan.
199 pages, Paperback
First published July 23, 2002
372 people are currently reading
4626 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 766 reviews
January 13, 2023
Parvana is on a heartbreaking journey to find her mother. Without her father, she is alone. As she seeks out food and shelter along the way, she gathers a little family of children around her: a baby who survived a village bombing, a runaway boy living in a cave, and a little girl living next to a mine field. As the oldest in the group, Parvana feels responsible for them all. Yet, she is still a child herself. Along the way she pens letters to her best friend Shauzia, giving the reader a unique window into Parvana's experiences. Will the little family find a safe place and sustenance? Will Parvana ever see her family again? And will she make it to Paris to keep her promise to Shauzia? Come along on Parvana's journey and see what it is like to be inside Afghanistan after 9/11.
March 22, 2017
I've been reading this book off-and-on since school began. Sometimes I'm just not able to take the casual brutality being related. "Parvana's Journey" clearly illustrates the indifference of war.
I read "The Breadwinner" a few years ago because I was looking for something for my preAP students to read. I want them to learn more about what life is like outside of the United States; I want them to learn that life in the US is so easy so we ought not take it for granted.
Then I was told that parents had protested "The Breadwinner." Some were protesting because they had family serving in Aghanistan; others were disturbed by the way life in Afghanistan was portrayed; others were afraid that middle-schoolers are too young to understand the Taliban and the way women are treated in Afghanistan.
I believe "The Breadwinner," "Parvana's Journey," and "Three Cups of Tea" ought to be read by American teens, especially those we expect to be leaders. They ought to learn about life outside their small spheres.
And so ought their parents.
I read "The Breadwinner" a few years ago because I was looking for something for my preAP students to read. I want them to learn more about what life is like outside of the United States; I want them to learn that life in the US is so easy so we ought not take it for granted.
Then I was told that parents had protested "The Breadwinner." Some were protesting because they had family serving in Aghanistan; others were disturbed by the way life in Afghanistan was portrayed; others were afraid that middle-schoolers are too young to understand the Taliban and the way women are treated in Afghanistan.
I believe "The Breadwinner," "Parvana's Journey," and "Three Cups of Tea" ought to be read by American teens, especially those we expect to be leaders. They ought to learn about life outside their small spheres.
And so ought their parents.
December 14, 2016
i enjoyed this story, though at most points it was really sad. these three children had to live off the streets and had to be careful of the land mines placed everywhere
August 8, 2023
Best book to read to understand that not everyone has what we have, some are struggling and their countries are being bombed, children being kidnapped and forced into child labour and how dreadful the world is. But there is hope at the end of the tunnel...with people helping each other its possible.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 7, 2019
Parvana's Journey is just like what the title says it's about ... Parvana's journey. The book talked about Parvana and her dad's long way from Kabul to find her mother and the rest of her family. During Parvana's journey, she is forced to face lots of questions. Problems like How will I get food? Where am I staying tonight? What if people recognized me as a girl? Are there Taliban's nearby? And most importantly, is this place safe? This book reminded me of another book called Kids of Kabul. It's a non-fiction book also written by Deborah Ellis. Kids of Kabul is a book made up of interviews of kids in Kabul when Deborah Ellis visited Pakistan a few years later after she wrote The Breadwinner series. In both books, kids weren't able to have an education and struggled through poverty.
May 22, 2022
Globalni ciljevi: druga kultura, nastavak serijala
Joj, ovaj dio mi je još tužniji od prvog dijela. Strašno je čitati knjige o ratu u Afganistanu, o talibanima, o bombama i smrti, a kad su glavni likovi djeca, još je strašnije. Ovaj dio više nema onu nevinu, dječju notu, koju je imao prvi dio. Ozbiljniji je. Parvana se suočava s gladi, smrti, beznađem. Unatoč svemu tome, ona ne gubi vjeru u dobrotu, pomaže drugima, iako je i ona sama ostala bez svega. I ne gubi nadu da će pronaći svoju obitelj.
Joj, ovaj dio mi je još tužniji od prvog dijela. Strašno je čitati knjige o ratu u Afganistanu, o talibanima, o bombama i smrti, a kad su glavni likovi djeca, još je strašnije. Ovaj dio više nema onu nevinu, dječju notu, koju je imao prvi dio. Ozbiljniji je. Parvana se suočava s gladi, smrti, beznađem. Unatoč svemu tome, ona ne gubi vjeru u dobrotu, pomaže drugima, iako je i ona sama ostala bez svega. I ne gubi nadu da će pronaći svoju obitelj.
October 15, 2017
از جلد یک تکان دهنده تر بود. خانواده ی پروانه از هم پاشیده شده اند. مادر و خواهربرادرهایش رفته اند به مزارشریف. به این امید که آن جا در اختیار طالبان نیست و خواهر بزرگترش می تواند ازدواج کند. اما با رفتن شان پروانه می فهمد که طالبان مزارشریف را هم تصرف کرده. سرنوشت مادر و خواهرهابرادرش نامعلوم است. پدرش هم خرد و خمیر از زندان برگشته بود. دو نفری به جست و جوی مادر و خواهرها برادرش می افتند... و کتاب از جایی شروع می شود که پدر پروانه از شدت ضعف می میرد... در روستایی ناشناس به خاکش می سپرد. او همچنان ظاهری پسرانه دارد. افراد روستا نقشه می کشند که او را بسپرند به طالبان و او می فهمد و فرار می کند. آن قدر غم دارد که غم مرگ پدر آن وسط گم می شود...
جلد دوم سه گانه ی دختران کابلی قصه ی سفر دور و دراز پروانه ی 11 ساله است در جاده های ناامن افغانستان به جست و جوی مادر و خواهرها و برادرش...
پروانه در طول رفتنش به روستاهای ویران بسیاری برمی خورد. در یکی از روستاها کودکی را می بیند که مادرش مرده و او زنده مانده. نامش را حسن می گذارد و می شود مادر او. بعد به آصف برمی خورد. پسری هم سن خودش. بدعنق و بداخلاق که یک پایش را هم از دست داده. او همسفرش می شود. بعدتر به لیلا و مادربزرگش برمی خورند... قصه ی زندگی لیلا و مین زار کنار محل زندگی اش عجیب تکان دهنده بود... و در آخر لیلایی که به مین زار معتقد بود و در هر وعده کمی از غذایش را در زمین دفن می کرد تا به مین زار غذا داده باشد, اسیر یکی از مین ها می شود و می میرد...
پایان جلد دو خوش است... هم خوش و هم تلخ...
جلد دوم سه گانه ی دختران کابلی قصه ی سفر دور و دراز پروانه ی 11 ساله است در جاده های ناامن افغانستان به جست و جوی مادر و خواهرها و برادرش...
پروانه در طول رفتنش به روستاهای ویران بسیاری برمی خورد. در یکی از روستاها کودکی را می بیند که مادرش مرده و او زنده مانده. نامش را حسن می گذارد و می شود مادر او. بعد به آصف برمی خورد. پسری هم سن خودش. بدعنق و بداخلاق که یک پایش را هم از دست داده. او همسفرش می شود. بعدتر به لیلا و مادربزرگش برمی خورند... قصه ی زندگی لیلا و مین زار کنار محل زندگی اش عجیب تکان دهنده بود... و در آخر لیلایی که به مین زار معتقد بود و در هر وعده کمی از غذایش را در زمین دفن می کرد تا به مین زار غذا داده باشد, اسیر یکی از مین ها می شود و می میرد...
پایان جلد دو خوش است... هم خوش و هم تلخ...
May 8, 2021
*Recenzija se odnosi na sve 3 knjige početne trilogije: The Breadwinner, Parvana's Journey i Mud City.*
Svakodnevne stvari, odnosno - svakodnevne slobode - rijetko tko od nas smatra povlasticama. Dok bezbrižno šećemo ulicama, vozimo auto, idemo u školu/na posao/fakultet ili obavljamo svakodnevne poslove, ni ne pomišljamo da neki drugi ljudi - neke druge žene - na njih nemaju pravo.
Dolaskom talibana na vlast, ženama u Afganistanu uskraćene su sve svakodnevne slobode koje većina ljudi uzima zdravo za gotovo. Bile su osuđene na ostanak u kući, izlaske samo u strogo kontroliranim uvjetima i pod paskom supruga ili nekog drugog muškarca koji je imao ulogu njihovog trenutnog skrbnika. Djevojčicama je zabranjeno školovanje, a umjesto u smijehu i igri, djetinjstva su protjecala u skrivanju i strahu.
U ovakvim okolnostima odrasta djevojčica Parvana. S dvije sestre, malenim bratom, majkom i ocem, Parvana stanuje u skromnoj kući u glavnom gradu Afganistana, Kabulu. Njena majka i sestre zbog silnih zabrana za žene uopće ne izlaze iz kuće, dok Parvana svakodnevno odlazi s ocem na tržnicu, kako bi mu pomagala. No, kada im jednog dana u kuću provale talibani i odvedu joj oca, i to samo zato jer je studirao u inozemstvu i govori engleski, Parvana će morati preuzeti brigu o majci, bratu i sestrama i postati hraniteljica obitelji.
Kako bi uspjela raditi i zaraditi novac koji je njenoj obitelji prijeko potreban, Parvana se mora pretvarati da je dječak. Isto čini i njena prijateljica Shauzia, koja sanja o odlasku iz Afganistana na polja lavande u Francuskoj, jer ondje mora biti bolje no što je ovdje, i jer negdje na nju mora čekati neki život koji je bolji od ovog u kojem se mora skrivati sve dok ju njena obitelj ne uda za nekog muškarca kojeg ne poznaje i za kojeg se ne želi udati. Parvana i Shauzia jedna su drugoj utjeha, čak i nakon što ih život razdvoji i putevi im odu u različitim pravcima.
I jednu i drugu djevojčicu čeka dugo putovanje, putovanje na kojem će se susresti s brojnim teškoćama: ratom, usamljenošću, siromaštvom, glađu, beznađem... No, nešto cijelo vrijeme tjera ove djevojčice da nastave, da ustraju, da ne odustanu čak i kad se nađu u posve bezizlaznoj situaciji.
Poput autobiografije Malale Yousafzai, Parvanina i Shauzina je priča također priča o djevojčicama koje sve što žele u životu jest - biti djevojčice: ići u školu, družiti se s prijateljima, osjećati se sigurnima, imati budućnost otvorenih mogućnosti za bilo što što žele postati. Ovo je priča o hrabrim djevojčicama koje u jako ranoj dobi preuzimaju odgovornost brige za obitelj, koje se domišljato i hrabro suprotstavljaju režimu koji ugnjetava i ponižava žene, otimajući im osnovne ljudske slobode i prava.
Parvana ništa od svega što ju je zadesilo nije niti htjela niti tražila. Nije odmah ustala i preuzela skrb o obitelji na sebe; naravno da se bojala hoće li to uopće moći, naravno da je očekivala da netko stariji preuzme tu odgovornost. Ali vrlo je brzo shvatila da, iako je tek djevojčica, u njoj čuči dovoljno hrabrosti i snažne volje da se uhvati ukoštac s problemima pred kojima se drugi tek pokriju pokrivačem po glavi i čekaju da ih netko drugi spasi. A nakon što je odlučila preuzeti taj posao na sebe, Parvana postaje stup svoje obitelji, njena hraniteljica i spasiteljica.
Parvanina (a, kasnije, i Shauzijina) priča inspirativna je i snažna; to je priča s golemim odjekom. Parvana je možda fiktivan lik, ali predstavlja brojne djevojčice koje su, nama nevidljive, prolazile iste stvari kao i Parvana, svaki dan. Suočavale se s opasnostima, borile protiv nepravde, pokušavale napredovati u svijetu koji je odlučio ženama u tome otežati baš svaki korak. Parvana je prava moderna heroina, fiktivna, ali opet vrlo, vrlo stvarna. Shauzia također.
Priče o Parvani, Shauziji i djevojčicama njima nalik nasušno su nam potrebne. U svjetlu ove pandemije, više je no ikad došlo do izražaja da su ljudi u jako velikom postotku (nažalost) izrazito sebični i ignorantni, pogotovo kada se radi o brizi za druge, čak i kada ta briga od njih zahtijeva tek maleno (minorno!) odstupanje od vlastite komocije. Bojim se da nam se, kao čovječanstvu, ne piše baš dobro. Očajnički nam trebaju nove Parvane, Shauzije, Malale i Grete, nove Kati Kariko i Kathrin Jansen*. Snažne žene odlučne promijeniti svijet nabolje i svojim pričama i postignućima nadahnjivati druge da čine to isto. A nama preostaje da te priče čitamo - i širimo ih dalje.
--------------
*Kati Kariko napravila je pravu revoluciju u tehnologiji mRNA cjepiva, njena istraživanja temelj su Pfizerovog i Moderninog cjepiva protiv COVIDA-19. Kathrin Jansen otkrila je cjepivo protiv pneumokoka, a njen nastavak istraživanja koje su započeli Jian Zhou i Ian Frazer doveo je do otkrića cjepiva protiv HPV-a.
Svakodnevne stvari, odnosno - svakodnevne slobode - rijetko tko od nas smatra povlasticama. Dok bezbrižno šećemo ulicama, vozimo auto, idemo u školu/na posao/fakultet ili obavljamo svakodnevne poslove, ni ne pomišljamo da neki drugi ljudi - neke druge žene - na njih nemaju pravo.
Dolaskom talibana na vlast, ženama u Afganistanu uskraćene su sve svakodnevne slobode koje većina ljudi uzima zdravo za gotovo. Bile su osuđene na ostanak u kući, izlaske samo u strogo kontroliranim uvjetima i pod paskom supruga ili nekog drugog muškarca koji je imao ulogu njihovog trenutnog skrbnika. Djevojčicama je zabranjeno školovanje, a umjesto u smijehu i igri, djetinjstva su protjecala u skrivanju i strahu.
U ovakvim okolnostima odrasta djevojčica Parvana. S dvije sestre, malenim bratom, majkom i ocem, Parvana stanuje u skromnoj kući u glavnom gradu Afganistana, Kabulu. Njena majka i sestre zbog silnih zabrana za žene uopće ne izlaze iz kuće, dok Parvana svakodnevno odlazi s ocem na tržnicu, kako bi mu pomagala. No, kada im jednog dana u kuću provale talibani i odvedu joj oca, i to samo zato jer je studirao u inozemstvu i govori engleski, Parvana će morati preuzeti brigu o majci, bratu i sestrama i postati hraniteljica obitelji.
Kako bi uspjela raditi i zaraditi novac koji je njenoj obitelji prijeko potreban, Parvana se mora pretvarati da je dječak. Isto čini i njena prijateljica Shauzia, koja sanja o odlasku iz Afganistana na polja lavande u Francuskoj, jer ondje mora biti bolje no što je ovdje, i jer negdje na nju mora čekati neki život koji je bolji od ovog u kojem se mora skrivati sve dok ju njena obitelj ne uda za nekog muškarca kojeg ne poznaje i za kojeg se ne želi udati. Parvana i Shauzia jedna su drugoj utjeha, čak i nakon što ih život razdvoji i putevi im odu u različitim pravcima.
I jednu i drugu djevojčicu čeka dugo putovanje, putovanje na kojem će se susresti s brojnim teškoćama: ratom, usamljenošću, siromaštvom, glađu, beznađem... No, nešto cijelo vrijeme tjera ove djevojčice da nastave, da ustraju, da ne odustanu čak i kad se nađu u posve bezizlaznoj situaciji.
Poput autobiografije Malale Yousafzai, Parvanina i Shauzina je priča također priča o djevojčicama koje sve što žele u životu jest - biti djevojčice: ići u školu, družiti se s prijateljima, osjećati se sigurnima, imati budućnost otvorenih mogućnosti za bilo što što žele postati. Ovo je priča o hrabrim djevojčicama koje u jako ranoj dobi preuzimaju odgovornost brige za obitelj, koje se domišljato i hrabro suprotstavljaju režimu koji ugnjetava i ponižava žene, otimajući im osnovne ljudske slobode i prava.
Parvana ništa od svega što ju je zadesilo nije niti htjela niti tražila. Nije odmah ustala i preuzela skrb o obitelji na sebe; naravno da se bojala hoće li to uopće moći, naravno da je očekivala da netko stariji preuzme tu odgovornost. Ali vrlo je brzo shvatila da, iako je tek djevojčica, u njoj čuči dovoljno hrabrosti i snažne volje da se uhvati ukoštac s problemima pred kojima se drugi tek pokriju pokrivačem po glavi i čekaju da ih netko drugi spasi. A nakon što je odlučila preuzeti taj posao na sebe, Parvana postaje stup svoje obitelji, njena hraniteljica i spasiteljica.
Parvanina (a, kasnije, i Shauzijina) priča inspirativna je i snažna; to je priča s golemim odjekom. Parvana je možda fiktivan lik, ali predstavlja brojne djevojčice koje su, nama nevidljive, prolazile iste stvari kao i Parvana, svaki dan. Suočavale se s opasnostima, borile protiv nepravde, pokušavale napredovati u svijetu koji je odlučio ženama u tome otežati baš svaki korak. Parvana je prava moderna heroina, fiktivna, ali opet vrlo, vrlo stvarna. Shauzia također.
Priče o Parvani, Shauziji i djevojčicama njima nalik nasušno su nam potrebne. U svjetlu ove pandemije, više je no ikad došlo do izražaja da su ljudi u jako velikom postotku (nažalost) izrazito sebični i ignorantni, pogotovo kada se radi o brizi za druge, čak i kada ta briga od njih zahtijeva tek maleno (minorno!) odstupanje od vlastite komocije. Bojim se da nam se, kao čovječanstvu, ne piše baš dobro. Očajnički nam trebaju nove Parvane, Shauzije, Malale i Grete, nove Kati Kariko i Kathrin Jansen*. Snažne žene odlučne promijeniti svijet nabolje i svojim pričama i postignućima nadahnjivati druge da čine to isto. A nama preostaje da te priče čitamo - i širimo ih dalje.
--------------
*Kati Kariko napravila je pravu revoluciju u tehnologiji mRNA cjepiva, njena istraživanja temelj su Pfizerovog i Moderninog cjepiva protiv COVIDA-19. Kathrin Jansen otkrila je cjepivo protiv pneumokoka, a njen nastavak istraživanja koje su započeli Jian Zhou i Ian Frazer doveo je do otkrića cjepiva protiv HPV-a.
February 11, 2021
This is another excellent book in this series! We follow Parvana as she searches for her family in northern Afghanistan. Gives insight into refugees and homeless children in a rural country.
April 11, 2023
‘What are my three wishes?
I want to be an artist. I want to dance.
And I want to be old.’
I want to be an artist. I want to dance.
And I want to be old.’
June 8, 2023
I found this book by chance and I loved it! It's the second book of a trilogy: "The Breadwinner," "Parvana's Journey," and "Three Cups of Tea" about children in war-torn Afghanistan.
In this novel Parvana, her father has died and the family has scattered. Parvana is now 13 years old and she is determined to find her mother and siblings. She has disguised herself as a boy and travels alone, a dangerous thing to do because being a 13-year old it has begun to be more and more difficult to hide womanliness. Along the way she finds a baby whose mother had been killed by a bomb, a one-legged young boy living in a cave, and a young girl, Leila, living on the edge of a minefield with her grandmother.
This book reminded me of The Silver Sword by Ian Serraillier. This is another great book that tells us about the suffering children endure when there is war.
In this novel Parvana, her father has died and the family has scattered. Parvana is now 13 years old and she is determined to find her mother and siblings. She has disguised herself as a boy and travels alone, a dangerous thing to do because being a 13-year old it has begun to be more and more difficult to hide womanliness. Along the way she finds a baby whose mother had been killed by a bomb, a one-legged young boy living in a cave, and a young girl, Leila, living on the edge of a minefield with her grandmother.
This book reminded me of The Silver Sword by Ian Serraillier. This is another great book that tells us about the suffering children endure when there is war.
January 2, 2011
This is a continuation of The Breadwinner and the comments I made on that book apply equally to this book. The break in the story was well placed but I feel they both must be read as a single story. I think too much is left out if only one is read.
The author leaves the reader with a very pleasant occurrence in the middle of unpleasant things as she brings this part of the story to a close. I was still left with the feeling of a cliffhanger at the end but I know I may have to wait a long time for the real ending as the story is still going on in Afghanistan. I hope I live long enough and that the ending is better than I expect.
This is a story that must be read. I realize that it's one of many but it must be included. I'm sure it's going to be included in a handful of stories that never leave my mind for very long.
The third book, Mud City that follows Parvana's friend, has been ordered. I'll have that in a week or so.
The author leaves the reader with a very pleasant occurrence in the middle of unpleasant things as she brings this part of the story to a close. I was still left with the feeling of a cliffhanger at the end but I know I may have to wait a long time for the real ending as the story is still going on in Afghanistan. I hope I live long enough and that the ending is better than I expect.
This is a story that must be read. I realize that it's one of many but it must be included. I'm sure it's going to be included in a handful of stories that never leave my mind for very long.
The third book, Mud City that follows Parvana's friend, has been ordered. I'll have that in a week or so.
June 5, 2015
To call this book sad, scary, or hopeful feels right. This feels right, because Parvana the main character, goes through sad and scary events, such a when there was bombing near her house, but she still will keep her hope by singing out loud to herself. I like this confidence that Parvana has, it really makes me hope too, because even though they where starving she had strong hope. I couldn't relate to this book, but the words did make a clear picture in my mind. Also, the book made me cry at times. There was one problem, the words weren't too advanced or strong to me. To be honest, this book had the most impact on what I was feeling and thinking, it made get the chills at times. I would recommend this book to somebody who wants to vision what it would be like in a war of chills, crying, sadness, and starvation. So I really prefer for you to read this book.
March 3, 2019
War is ugly. The atrocity of the war and the suffering is something unbearable. In "Parvana's Journey" to find her family, the novel depicts the courage and willingness of a young girl against all ravages of war, deprivation and misery.
I read this book and "The Bread Winner" so I can find reading of another culture for my class. I am debating on whether it's appropriate for fifth grade or older.
I feel in the American Education we should familiarize younger generations with world's news and history. Failing to educate them about the true horror of war deprives them of the right to know the truth about what history witnessed through time.
I read this book and "The Bread Winner" so I can find reading of another culture for my class. I am debating on whether it's appropriate for fifth grade or older.
I feel in the American Education we should familiarize younger generations with world's news and history. Failing to educate them about the true horror of war deprives them of the right to know the truth about what history witnessed through time.
April 12, 2024
Continuación de El pan de la guerra. Libro corto de fácil lectura. Despierta conciencias
October 31, 2018
The Breadwinner ends hopefully, with most of Parvana’s family excitedly beginning their journey to Mazur-e-Sharif, where her older sister Nooria will marry. They are accompanied by a male family friend since Parvana’s father—who is suddenly deposited from prison in front of their bombed-out house with no explanation— is too ill to make the journey with the others. Parvana and her father are content to travel behind them slowly, but their hopeful trip disintegrates when they are told that the Taliban have just taken over the government in Mazur-e-Sharif. People are being slaughtered by the thousands, and those who are able are leaving the city in droves, many fleeing to refugee camps, some in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.
Parvana’s father dies, and she, still dressed as a boy, continues her journey alone. She is simply “looking for her family.” Along her way she collects a baby, a one-legged angry boy, and a little girl and her grandmother. Only 11, almost 12, Parvana cares for them and leads them to occasional places of safety, but also to starvation, exhaustion, and horror. Their known enemy is the Taliban, but also extends to anyone dropping bombs that explode their attempts to live life.
A Goodreads friend said that this book is written not only for mature middle-schoolers, but for everyone. I agree. Deborah Ellis writes well about events that we should know about.
Parvana’s father dies, and she, still dressed as a boy, continues her journey alone. She is simply “looking for her family.” Along her way she collects a baby, a one-legged angry boy, and a little girl and her grandmother. Only 11, almost 12, Parvana cares for them and leads them to occasional places of safety, but also to starvation, exhaustion, and horror. Their known enemy is the Taliban, but also extends to anyone dropping bombs that explode their attempts to live life.
A Goodreads friend said that this book is written not only for mature middle-schoolers, but for everyone. I agree. Deborah Ellis writes well about events that we should know about.
December 12, 2023
ماذا يحدث؟" سألت ليلى "إنهم الرّاشدون يقتلون بعضهم البعض" أجابت بارفانا. الاقتتال لا يتوقف في أفغانستان، تنتهي الفصول وتتعاقب، ولكن فصل الحرب لا يهرم ولا يموت
الجزء الثاني لكتاب المعيلة، احسست انه هذا الجزء كان صعب القراءة. لانه رحلة بارفانا بهذا الجزء مليئة بمشاعر ثقيلة سوف تقابل الكثير من الاطفال بنفس سنها و اصغر ولكن بنفس موقفها بلا عائله بلا بيت ولا طعام .
الجزء الاخير من الكتاب جعلني ابكي كثيراً لاني تذكرت كل اطفال العالم وبكل الصعاب التي تواجهم ، ولكن خصوصا اطفال غزه يارب يكون بعونهم ويرحمهم برحمته :(
مهما اختلف المكان او الزمان القصه نفسها الاطفال يتم قتلهم وسلب طفولتهم من غير رحمه ، احتمال اني اترك قراءة الجزء الثالث للشهر القادم ✨
الجزء الثاني لكتاب المعيلة، احسست انه هذا الجزء كان صعب القراءة. لانه رحلة بارفانا بهذا الجزء مليئة بمشاعر ثقيلة سوف تقابل الكثير من الاطفال بنفس سنها و اصغر ولكن بنفس موقفها بلا عائله بلا بيت ولا طعام .
الجزء الاخير من الكتاب جعلني ابكي كثيراً لاني تذكرت كل اطفال العالم وبكل الصعاب التي تواجهم ، ولكن خصوصا اطفال غزه يارب يكون بعونهم ويرحمهم برحمته :(
مهما اختلف المكان او الزمان القصه نفسها الاطفال يتم قتلهم وسلب طفولتهم من غير رحمه ، احتمال اني اترك قراءة الجزء الثالث للشهر القادم ✨
August 28, 2022
Good for 6th grade and above, but very difficult topic. Parvana is orphaned and struggling to survive in Afghanistan. Heart wrenching story, beautifully told. I appreciate this author so much for telling this story. It is perfect to read to help you better understand and empathize with families caught in war. If you ever feel a little blue, this will help you to count your blessings.
September 18, 2017
Journey
As a whole I hate journey stories because that is usually the whole story. In this case it is a journey that has a purpose, but there is no long term goal. Except to be in Pairs in 20 years.
Good, well researched book. Now on to the next book in the series.
As a whole I hate journey stories because that is usually the whole story. In this case it is a journey that has a purpose, but there is no long term goal. Except to be in Pairs in 20 years.
Good, well researched book. Now on to the next book in the series.
Read
March 10, 2016this is a good book to read if you want to know about the war in Afghanistan
November 15, 2017
সিরিজের বইগুলো এত সুন্দর কেন? এত কষ্ট কেন পারভানার জীবনে? আমরা এত অদ্ভুত কেন? মানুষের কষ্টের শেষ চাই আবার কষ্টের গল্প পড়ছি অথচ মনে হচ্ছে গল্পটা যেন শেষ না হয়! চলতেই থাকে, চলতেই থাকে।
February 9, 2018
Amazing book! The sequel to the breadwinner is equally as good. I look forward to reading the next one
May 6, 2021
we will meet again, one day:
to my friend.
to my friend.
February 3, 2021
چهره ی کودکان جنگ زده
March 20, 2025
Garbage American propaganda. Gave this a read cause it was a required reading, classic white savior nonsense. White ppl pretending that they need them to come in to save anything, and how the closer someone is to western culture/more awareness they have for it, the more educated they are. There def things to criticise about the Taliban rule, but pretending that the US invasion is correct and that what's best for the Afghans is to turn their country into another degenerate puppet govt is not the answer.
No research has been done for this book, this is just 'taliban are monsters that will eat us alive, we need to seek the white ppl to help/protect us' while never addresses who the entity throwing bombs sending their troops to slaughter ppl are. Absolute trash. Zero stars. even if you ignore the ignorance of the author, as a story this fails as well cause it was boring, terribly Witten falls flat in every category
No research has been done for this book, this is just 'taliban are monsters that will eat us alive, we need to seek the white ppl to help/protect us' while never addresses who the entity throwing bombs sending their troops to slaughter ppl are. Absolute trash. Zero stars. even if you ignore the ignorance of the author, as a story this fails as well cause it was boring, terribly Witten falls flat in every category
February 22, 2023
It’s really hard to rate a book like this. I was bored by the first third of the book.
Things got more interesting as it progressed but it’s all so sad.
The devastation to the country and families is eye opening. Always a good reminder to be grateful for everything we have.
Things got more interesting as it progressed but it’s all so sad.
The devastation to the country and families is eye opening. Always a good reminder to be grateful for everything we have.
August 22, 2021
¡Qué triste es vivir en medio de una guerra! Me dejó un hueco en el estómago.
January 13, 2022
niby ciężko mi uwierzyć, że to się stało, ale o wiele bardziej mi się podobała niż 1 tom i jak na książkę dziecięcą, to jest naprawdę okej
April 25, 2025
my shayla :(
September 24, 2024
Heartbreaking but the brutal reality for so many children and people living in the Middle East. More people need to read these so they can learn to empathize with the common civilians stuck in the middle of that hell.
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