Age: Middle school+
Culture: Afghani, Muslim

Zulaikha and her family provide an honest glimpse into the lives of Afghanis. I saw their daily rituals, their love for one another, and (although hard for me to read about the parts regarding women's suppression) their dedication to their culture and religion. Not only did I see Zulaikha's turbulent past with the Taliban

Spoiler

(her mother is killed for owning literature)

, I saw her current interaction with a new set of gun-toting, interfering people--the American Army. Although some of the politics are briefly mentioned in passing, Reedy instead focuses on Zulaikha's contact with these foreigners. With her cleft lip, Zulaikha has been ridiculed her whole life and has a hard time eating. Although forbidden, she looks upon her older, beautiful sister with envy. When the newly arrived Americans promise Zulaikha an operation, in order to make it possible her family must sacrifice their precious time and must overcome their reluctance towards these culturally different people.