The Secret Sky by Atia Abawi

Set in Afghanistan, Fatima a Hazara girl and Samiullah, a Pashtun boy fall in love. It is forbidden for them to be together. When they go against their families there are dire consequences. What will happen to Fatima, Samiullah (and) their families for their act of defiance in a Culture that dictates who you can marry and love?

Fatima and Samiullah are kind, caring and very likable. Rashid, the cousin of Samiullah is envious, jealous, a troubled (dangerous) young man. Told in alternating voices between them, I was able to feel what they were going through. With vivid details and raw emotions I was pulled into their lives. At times I cried as events unfolded in this emotionally charged story. I recommend The Secret Sky to Adults and *Young Adult readers.

*17+ due to some graphic content ( )

This YA novel isn't a true story per se, but it is inspired by actual accounts the author came across while living in Afghanistan. It's a story of forbidden young love in an unforgiving environment where the Taliban and their cruelty have become a part of everyday life. I found it emotionally engaging, and I can't wait to start sharing this with my students. If I could afford to buy a class set, this would be our next read. ( )

I think this is a really good book that allows children to get a sense of what it is like to live somewhere else and understand the different culture. I would also not recommend this book for little kids because this is definitely more of a young adult book but I think it still has some informational value to it. ( )

Too many deaths for love. Just re-enforces the reason for not being in Afghanistan. The death and issues related to women are so outside the acceptable behaviors that you wonder why more Afghans don't protest or fight for rights. ( )

What starts as a tentative romance between two teen members of rival Afghan tribes becomes a suspenseful story with plot twists as their relationship and even their lives are threatened by religious extremism and the conservative mores of their society. Young people who've heard a lot about Afghanistan will enjoy and be enlightened by this personal treatment of "real Afghans." ( )