Read - ers follow the story of Zulaikha, a 13-year-old Afghan girl with a cleft lip, who does not know how to read, as she strives to overcome physi - cal and cultural obstacles.

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This book definitely changed my perspective of Americans and civilians in Afghanistan. This book was from the perspective of and Afghani girl who has cleb lip. She often had to deal with the bullies in her neighborhood. They often threw rock and insulted Zulaihka and her brother. She met the Americans who came to her village and they offered her surgery for her face. She agreed and later had her lip fixed, and didn't cover her face as much. She also liked to go to school.
It is interesting to me how people going to school hate it, but people who don't would like to go. Great book to see perspectives of other cultures. ( )

This book was amazing. I got to see a side of the world that I, myself have never experienced. The main character Zulaikha, seemed to reach out to me and show me her world through her eyes. I have read A Thousand Splendid Sun, and this book help me understand it. The different customs between both cultures were interesting to see unfold. Also the way that some people view Americans, in the way that we are "horrible, bad. etc" but still want our help was interesting to read about. This book also made me think about what I should do with my life, I have more opportunities, I should take advantage of them. ( )

Wow. What a great story from a non-american! ( )

This book opened my eyes to several things. Much of it is based on actual people and occurrences. The story is told from the point of view of an Afghani girl with a cleft palate and a desire to attend school. Some parts are interesting looks into a culture different from mine. Other parts are heart breaking. It definitely made me appreciate being born in my country. Words in the Dust should be on your reading list. ( )

This book opened my eyes to several things. Much of it is based on actual people and occurrences. The story is told from the point of view of an Afghani girl with a cleft palate and a desire to attend school. Some parts are interesting looks into a culture different from mine. Other parts are heart breaking. It definitely made me appreciate being born in my country. Words in the Dust should be on your reading list. ( )

You might expect a novel written by a male American soldier about an Afgan girl with cleft lip to be a problem novel about backwards middle easterners, but Words in the Dust cannot be described that way. Zulaikha, our main character, the other characters we meet, and the world around them is multifaceted. Realistically, Reedy does not show any group as black and white. For example, it might be easy for the intended audience to assume every Afgan supported the Taliban but Reedy is clear in showing this was not so. Alternatively, he does not sugar coat the role of women after the Taliban is gone. Best of all Zulaikha's transformation from a girl that cowers to a girl who sees a bigger picture than the local bullies is well crafted and presented in the way it should be, even in children's literature, in that we are shown the change not told about it point blank. The complexity and art of this book make great children's literature. There is some violence and a few allusions to sex that Zulaikha and young readers may or may not understand that make it more appropriate to mature young readers or teens. Regardless, this is a great novel highly recommended, even necessary perhaps, for school and public libraries. ( )

This in an extremely education chapter book that shares moments of freedom determination a young girl faces during the war in Afghanistan. As the Americans come to her village she is promised new opportunities for her future. This little girl is inspiring to all readers as she hopes for the best, even in the darkest of times. This book widens the perspectives in students living in America as they learn what life is like in a country where woman have little to no freedom, especially woman who have any type of disability. There is also an overall message that anyone can fight for what they want in life, regardless how much power they may have in their society. This girl is very determined to prove that just because she is a minority in her country, she still deserves the same opportunities that are given to anyone else. ( )

A rich, vivid story that transports readers to Afghanistan and its culture. Zulaikha's life is not easy especially with her cleft palate that makes her the subject of scorn and pity. But there's a dignity to her spirit as she copes with daily challenges such as her father's demanding second wife Mahlekah, beloved sister Zeynab's pending wedding, and a desire to learn to read and write like her late mother. Librarian note: A scene refers to Zeynab's blood-stained wedding cloth without elaboration other than "It is finished. Your sister is married." ( )

I will not cry, I will not cry, I will not cry!
I cried...

This is an exceptionally heart-felt story, ripe with emotion, authentic character growth, and genuine perceptions. I liked that Americans were characterized as both heroes and villains, saviors and destroyers. The author does a wonderful job of not portraying the Afghani culture as "backwards," but it does not glorify it, unduly. He accepts it as it is, without casting any judgements. The main character is free to question Afghani traditions, but she does not rebel outside of reason, and she is critical of American culture as well while acknowledging Americans are capable of both good and bad. In all, this book is a complex look at society. I was so entranced I actually stuck around for the end where the author talks about his influences (something I never care to do). ( )

For a juvenile fiction book, "Words in the Dust" touches on many difficult and complex topics. The book centers around Zulaikha, a young Afghani girl with a cleft lip. Throughout the book many life altering events happen to her, from meeting an older woman that offers to educate her, to her sister getting married suddenly at a much younger age that expected, to receiving the news that the American soldiers are willing to operate and fix her cleft lip for her. This story is written at an excellent pace that keeps the reader involved from beginning to end. One aspect of the book that I really liked was how believable the characters were; all of the characters were extremely human and had their good and bad sides, as well as their faults, exposed. I think that the main message of this story was to stay true to yourself and to find your strength from within. ( )

This is a very real story about growing up Muslim. The main character not only is living in Afghanistan after the Taliban were just overrun, but she also has a cleft lip, which leads her to be mercilessly taunted. She is struggling to find her place in her family, and the world.
This was a very interesting book, that was not trying to sugar-coat this culture, and a book that I think is well worth the read. ( )

Zulaikha is growing up with two strikes against her - not only is she a female in Afghanistan (and therefore a second class citizen), but she was also born with a cleft lip. This deformity has defined her for her whole life...until one day the American soldiers come through town and offer to fix her smile. Around the same time, her sister is betrothed to a wealthy man. It seems as though the sisters' dreams have all finally come true. As their dreams take shape, both girls realize that life is not fair and your dreams may not give you what you wish them to.

This is a beautiful look at Afghan culture -- I really like how this is a story about Afghanistan but it was more about the people than the war. Good lessons for American readers to see that not everyone thinks our ideas are as great as we do. A few parts are quite graphic in the description so definitely for more mature readers. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked it. * ( )

WATCH BOOK TRAILER

Zulaikha is an Afghan girl who was born with a cleft palate. She suffers merciless teasing from others in her village. She is noticed by a soldier when American forces are traveling through her village, and he offers to arrange the surgery that will repair her birth defect. Zulaikha is caught between opportunity and tradition in her culture that young American readers will find shocking but hopeful.

A beautifully written debut novel about a young Afghan girl courageously coping with heartbreaking loss and boldly embracing an uncertain future. ( )

Recommended Ages: Gr. 7-10

Plot Summary: Although Zulaikha isn't happy with her life, she tries to be optimistic about it. She loves spending time talking to her dear sister although she is overwhelmed by the number of chores she is responsible for and her "mother" orders. Her and her sister Zeynab dream of being married, but mostly Zulaikha dreams she didn't have a cleft palate. It causes her problems when she goes to the market because Anwar bullies her and the merchants don't want her near their shop. On one of these visits to the market, she spots American soldiers for the first time in her small town. This ended up changing her life. A few days later she is called to meet with some American soldiers. She thinks she is in trouble for climbing the Citadel, but intead they offer to pay for her surgery to fix her cleft palate. Her family is excited for her and her father even offers to take a day off work to take her to the US base but they are all disappointed when the helicopter isn't able to land. Incredibly disappointed, she returns knowing that she will have to be positive and brave as they prepare for her sister's sudden wedding. At one of the wedding ceremonies, US soldiers continue to talk to the family and convince Zulaikha to try again on the surgery. This time her brother Najib takes her but they barely speak. The helicopter is able to land and they fly over their country for the first time. It is a successful trip. When they get back, they celebrate the successful surgery with a party, but Zulaikha is disappointed her sister can't see her new mouth. The surgery didn't change Zulaikha and she finds she has to work even harder on her chores now that her "mother" is very pregnant. She wants to see her sister because she misses her, and when she finally runs into Zeynab in the market, her sister is hollow, sad, and has bags under her eyes. She seems very final in her goodbye. After a wonderful afternoon with Najib, Zulaikha is stunned to find out Zeynab is in the Afghan hospital with burns all over her body. Najib and Zulaikha drive to the hospital and Najib is not allowed in. The hospital is very different than the American hospital and Zulaikha yells that the doctors need to do something, or that the she should be transferred to the American hospital. Zeynab finally wakes up and says no, she wants to die. Her husband doesn't allow her to be taken to the American hospital anyway and essentially lets her die, possibly because she wasn't able to get pregnant. Now Zulaikha is torn. She doesn't want to get married and do the same things she does now. She wants to go to school, but at the same time, she knows her family needs her. Should she take the offer to go to school in Herat and leave her family?

Setting: An Daral, Afghanistan

Characters:
Zulaikha - 13 y/o, connects deeply to words and poetry like her mother, feels inadequate because of her cleft palate and worries her family won't be able to marry her off
Zeynab - 15 y/o, Zulaikha's dear sister, very supportive and her confidante, calls her beautiful but knows she will be more beautiful when her lip is fixed, dreams about becoming a mother to adorable little sons and then getting her brother-in-law to marry Zulaikha so they can live together forever
Khalid - 9 y/o, Zulaikha's younger brother, has an attitude and calls Zulaikha Donkeyface, tattles on her when she chases him to the top of the Citadel even though she saved him from getting arrested by the Russian cops since he was crying and scared halfway up
Habib - 2 y/o, Zulaikha's younger brother
Najib - 19 y/o, Zulaikha's sister, works very hard as a welder with his father, takes Zulaikha to get her cleft palate fixed and doesn't talk much but they have a nice bonding moment later in the story where the spend the afternoon together and chat
Malehkah - Madar-jan, Sadiq's second wife, mean to Zulaikha, always strict, always ordering her around, sends her to the market often even though she has what she needs, forces Zulaikha to call her mother
Baba-jan - AKA Sadiq, Zulaikha's father, can be very sweet and affectionate but changes his views very slowly from tradition, is building a school through a contract with the Americans, welder, is able to buy a car for the first time
Anwar - a bully to Zulaikha, calls her Donkeyface, finds her on the street with his cousins Omar and Salman but doesn't ever touch her despite his threats to hit her
Tahir - over 45 y/o, Zeynab is his third wife
Hajji Abdullah - Tahir's youngest brother
Gulzoma - Hajji's first wife, mean to Zulaikha through her attention and negative compliments
Meena - was a friend of Saima's, became Zulaikha's tutor, runs a alterations shop but wants to be a teacher, seems to know everything, Zulaikha's trusted advisor
Captain Mindy - in the US army, was helping Zulaikha fix her cleft palate, didn't quite know all of the proper etiquette such as acknowledging the male first
Shiaraqa - translator for the US army
Saima - Zulaikha's mother, loved poetry, was killed viciously by the Taliban for her love of words

Recurring Themes: Afghanistan, cleft palate, gender roles, arranged marriage, Taliban, oppression of women, education equality, bullying,

Controversial Issues:
pg 113 - damned
pg 123-4 - bloody violent description of the Taliban killing Zulaikha's mother
pg 163 - "wedding cloth, stained with my sister's blood'
Zeynad says she wants to die -- questionable suicide

Personal Thoughts: While the numerous characters were difficult to keep straight (especially having multiple names for the same person, such as Madar-jan), this book appealed to my love of drama. This book wasn't my favorite, but I definitely enjoyed it. I think it is for older readers because of the nature of the plot is driven by marriage, which younger kids might not connect with. I like that it is based on a real experience, even if it's very loose. The author's note was personal and demonstrated his connection to the characters and country. I like his comments about researching Afghanistan and the struggles he had since he is not a woman, and certainly not a woman living in Afghanistan.

Genre: Realistic fiction, Drama, Multicultural

Pacing: slow (but I read it fast)
Characters: LOTS with very similar names, difficult to keep straight
Frame: helpful to have background knowledge of what life is like for women in Afghanistan and how arranged marriages work (ie. not seeing husband until after marriage, wedding night tradition, dowry)
Storyline:

Activity: ( )

This novel is inspired by a true story and written by an American soldier whose compassion for the plight of young women of Afghanistan is evident in every chapter he writes. Not only did a learn a lot about the Afghan culture, I came to care deeply for this motherless young girl who is brave enough to hope for a better tomorrow.

This book is the story of a girl native to Afghanistan whose life changes rapidly when American soldiers enter her town. New opportunities excite and terrify her but she works through these happenings with the expressive outlet of writing and her words in the sand. This book would be appropriate for grades 6 and up. I would use this book as a class read touching upon works issues, cultural differences and individual exploration. A writing project based on individual awareness would follow these central issues.

I won this ARC copy of Words in the Dust from the Goodreads Firstreads giveaway program.

Zulaikha lives in modern Afghanistan, when the Taliban have been brought down and the Americans are still making progress in her country. She lives with her Baba (father), her Madar (mother…but not her birth mother), brothers and sister. Her father and older brother are welders and work hard to provide for the family. Zulaikha would live a very normal life…except for one thing. Her mouth. Her ugly, cleft lip, her twisted teeth, and her disfigured nose. But then the Americans show up, offering a free surgery to fix Zulaikha’s mouth. And her sister, Zeynab, might be married to a man of wealth and prestige. Could Zulaikha get the happy ending she and Zeynab had always dreamed about since their Madar-jan died?

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I fell in love with this book from the opening words. Literally. ”I traced the letters in the dust with my finger, spelling out my name: Zulaikha“

But after that, the story blossoms into a whole world, the world of life in Afghanistan in the aftermath of a war, the world of an every-day-life Afghanistan family. The culture in this is so rich, the characters so well-developed, that you cannot help but believe that it is real.

This is Trent Reedy’s first novel, and he did a most excellent job. Telling from Zulaikha’s perspective could have been hard, but Reedy was talented enough to pull it off with incredibly smooth writing, characters that grow, a setting that is so different, and hardships that almost everyone can relate to.

Favorite character: It’s a tie between the sisters, Zulaikha and Zeynab. I loved Meena for her part in Zulaikha’s life; and even though I hated her guts, I thought the girls step-mother had a very important role.

Favorite aspects: The way Zulaikha interacts with her family…she is truly an amazing girl. And the way the reader watches Zulaikha grow is just beautiful… I honestly felt like I was growing with her, every step of the way. The poems were so beautiful and so was the way Zulaikha related to the characters in the poems.

One word to sum this book up: I would have to say a few words: sweet, heartbreaking, and lovely. Trent Reedy really has pulled off something amazing here and I can’t wait to see whose story he tells next! (This story was based off a girl named Zulaikha who the writer met while serving in Afghanistan who had a cleft lip. The Americans fixed it and he swore to her that he would tell her story… If that isn’t a touching story, I don’t know what is.)

Recommended to ages 12 and up. ( )

Life in present day Afghanistan is rendered believable and heart breaking. Zulaikha's life is very hard. She is expected to do much around the house. In addition, she has a cleft pallet. The deformity has left her in the shadow of her beautiful sister. When tragedy strikes at the same time that Zulaikha's life is about to change for the better, leaves her future in the balance ( )

An excellent Young Adult book on the subject of Afghanistan.

I really enjoyed this book, even though I'm far from a Young Adult! It was tastefully written and the fact that the author was a soldier there made me feel gratified that people with such humanity are fighting the Afghan cause.

Zulaikha is a young Afghani girl, marked for life with a hair-lip and crooked teeth that earn her the cruel name of 'Donkeyface'.
She lives with her older sister, Zeynab, her 19 year old brother, Najib, and two younger brothers. Her own mother was killed by the Taliban and her father's second wife, Malehkah, now rules the household with a firm hand.
The Taliban era is behind them and newly arrived American soldiers are promising to build a school in the area.
The arrival of the soldiers brings very varied reactions from the members of the village, the young lads idolise them, young girls are warned away, and some of the villagers stand to gain financially from the future building work.
Amidst this framework, life goes on for Zulaikha's family as her sister prepares for her wedding.

This was well written, perfectly pitched for the target audience, and I would highly recommend it for all ages. ( )

A vivid depiction of the lives and struggles of Afghani women. The author has based much of this tale on his true experiences as a soldier in Afghanistan in 2005. Although thirteen-year-old Zulaika's story is fictional, the character and her surroundings are founded on real-life encounters.
I was totally riveted to this book. Definitely a recommended read. Note that there is some mature content that may be disturbing to preteen readers. ( )

Reedy, Trent. (2011). Words in the Dust. New York: Scholastic/Arthur A. Levine Books. 272 pp. ISBN 978-0-545-26125-8 (Hard Cover); $17.99.*

Purchase this book for middle school and high school libraries and your school library will have a book that will take readers into Afghanistan and give them a taste of Afghanistan culture and the intersection of this culture with the United States military (National Guard). The author’s note, reading lists, and glossary are almost enough by themselves to recommend this title. Much of our news concerns events in Afghanistan by our military and we have very few books that take students to this part of the world. The fact that this novel is based on Reedy’s own tour of duty and Reedy’s experience with a girl upon which he based his main character, Zulaikha, adds a poignancy that will suffuse readers. Zulaikha has cleft lip that is the source of constant teasing. Perhaps even worse is that she has a very traditional father with a very limited vision for the future of girls. He also has a new wife who has no regard for Zulaikha. In a culture that often values a woman’s ability to attract a worthy mate, Zulaikha worries about her future and struggles to maintain her own personal dignity. Fortunately she meets a professor, Meena, who has been stripped of her teaching responsibility by the Taliban. Meena exposes Zulaikha to the freedom of ideas, to the spirit of poetry, and to a much bigger, more interesting world. And then the American soldiers bring a doctor into the village and offer Zulaikha the chance to have her face surgically restored. Life suddenly teems with possibility, but as in real life, things are never as simple as they seem. An added bonus to this book is the touching introduction by Katherine Paterson.

“HEEEEE-HAAAAAW!…Donkeyface!”For Zulaikha, a 13 year-old Afghan girl with a severe cleft lip whose front teeth stuck straight out from her mouth, the torment came on a regular basis. In her society, women are expected to marry, but who will ever want her? Even her little brother makes fun of her. She yearns to learn to read and write like her mother, killed by the Taliban because she dared to read, but that too seems to be out of her reach. “Words in the Dust,” (Arthur A. Levine Books, 2011) the debut novel by Trent Reedy, is a remarkable portrait of life in contemporary Afghanistan. When an American serviceman spots Zulaikha, he and his fellow soldiers arrange to have her flown to a military hospital for free surgery. She eventually gains the pretty face she desired, but will she ever be able to attain the education she so desperately desires? To read the rest of the review, published in the News-Gazette (Champaign, Illinois), please visit the book shelf on my site, at http://www.saralatta.com ( )