Inspired by a number of true stories, this novel chronicles the journey Mahtab and her family take from Herat (Afghanistan), though the mountains to Pakistan and then Australia. Mahtab's family are forced to leave their country of origin to escape the Taliban. Mahtab's father settles the family in Pakistan and travels to Australia, ostensibly to find a job and home. After eight months of waiting; Mahtab, her mother, sister Soraya and brother Farhad decide to go to Australia to seek him. Their fate rests in the hands of the Darwin authorities in a detnetion centre.
As a mother, this story was difficult to read. The courage and determination of Mahtab's family is inspiring and strangely uplifting. This would be a fantastic story to read to a whole class, or as part of a unit using other titles such as: "Parvana", "Parvana's Journey" and "Shauzia.
Friday, January 16, 2009
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2 comments:
I read Deborah Ellis titles as you mentioned to my older son and would now like to read this book you have reviewed to my next boy. We have just watched a Foreigh DVD at home called OSAMA which has won awards at Cannes. Was 1st Afghani film made after rise and fall of the Taliban. It too tells of the horrific impact war has had on the lives of the Afghani people. Not enjoyable but compelling.
If you have read and appreciated Mahtab's Story and the Parvana series by Deborah Ellis, I'm sure will love reading (if you have not already read)Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini.
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