Ellis, Deborah. THE BREADWINNER. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000. ISBN 9780192752840
A sixth grade girl growing up in Afghanistan under the Taliban, must become the breadwinner for her family after her father is taken away. Parvana takes on a dangerous challenge to be able to care for remaining family. Her eyes are opened to more horrors than she thought existed and yet she is able to see glimpses of hope.
The Breadwinner is rich in cultural markers. The map at the beginning of the book and the glossary were so helpful. Many of the terms listed related to clothing and the first sentence of the book lets readers know they will be learning as well as becoming involved in the character's world. " " I can read that letter as well as Father can, " Parvana whispered into the folds of her chador." The next few paragraphs go on to give background as to why Parvana must whisper and some of the events that have occurred due to the existence of the Taliban in Afghanistan. Readers are quickly pulled into a world most cannot comprehend and will want to know more. Ellis does a great job incorporating so many aspects of Parvana's day to day existence by dialogue and Parvana's thoughts which at times show a great deal of fear for her way of life. When her family decides to recreate her as a boy so she can leave the house to get things they need to survive Parvana has a great deal of internal conflict and her sister accuses her of being scared. Parvana's response shows she realizes the dangers she will face in this endeavor, " "It's safe to call someone else scared when you're safe inside your home all the time!" " But her fear of her family suffering pushes her to do this extraordinary task. It is this combination of internal and external conflict that draws the reader into this world that more students are hearing about because of references to the Taliban, Kabul, Jalalabad and Kandahar in the news.
The names of the characters are so beautiful one might wish to hear them spoken - Mrs. Weera, Maryam, Shauzia, Nooria. The fact that there are so many people interacting with Parvana shows how Taliban rule affects people of all ages and from many parts of Afghanistan.
The story is enlightening and disturbing because of the reality of the severe restrictions placed on people. Middle school aged children will be moved by the emotion woven into the truth of the characters' lives.
BOOKLIST - "The Breadwinner is a potent portrait of life in contemporary Afghanistan, showing that powerful heroines can survive even in the most oppressive and sexist social conditions."
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL - "The girl's courage and wit are admirable; she comes alive as a character..."
Read other books by Deborah Ellis:
PARVANA'S JOURNEY
ISBN 9780192753489
MUD CITY
ISBN9780192753762
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