ONE HALF FROM THE EAST By: Nadia Hashimi

ONE HALF FROM THE EAST  By: Nadia Hashimi
This is one cultural experience that I had little knowledge. Obayda is the youngest of four girls. She lives in modern day Afghanistan. When Obayda's family is forced to move to a small town after her father was hurt by a bomb, life really changes. Boys are valued more than girls and since she is still only ten she is chosen to be a bacha posh. So her name is changed to Obayd and she is transformed into a boy. There are no more chores, now she can wear pants and even get extra meat at dinner. But it is hard to go to school where the boys are on one side and the girls on the other. But in the school yard she is befriended by Rahim, formerly Rahima. What happens to these girls-boys is hard to imagine. A must read. Harper Ages 8-12 $16.99