Zia’s Story

Zias StoryIn Kabul, Afghanistan, twelve-year-old Zia’s father tells him to take care of his mother, as he is arrested, never to be seen again. After that, in 1989, the Russian army pulls out of Afghanistan, there is a civil war, and the Taliban take over. Zia becomes the “man” for the neighborhood widows. He can no longer attend school, and the Taliban forbids women and children to be seen outdoors. Zia and his mother eventually are forced to flee Kabul and take refuge in Pakistan. A historical note provides additional information. Black and white drawings capture the mood of the story. This eye-opening story is based on the author’s own experiences as a young mother having to flee an Afghanistan torn apart by war with her young son. mjw
Title: Zia’s Story
Author: Shahnaz Qayumi
Illustrator
: Nahid Kazemi
Publisher
: Tradewinds Books. Vancouver, BC. Canada
Copyright
: 2024
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-1-990598-14-2
Paperback pages
: 88
Age range
: 9-12
Genre
: Historical fiction
Book setting
: Afghanistan and Pakistan
Author’s ethnicity
: Afghan
Author’s residence
: Vancouver, British Columbia
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Iranian
Illustrator’s residence
: Montreal, Quebec
Subjects
: Afghanistan, Civil war, Kabul, Middle East, Refugees, Taliban, War

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