" If Parvana lost track of her mother, she was afraid she'd never find her again."
The book starts with Parvana in the market place, helping her father at his work. Everyday Parvana accompanies her Father and helps him walk on the rough and hard roads. He lost part of his leg, after stepping on a landmine. Her father earns all the family's income. A few chapters into the book Father gets taken away from the family, by the Taliban for simply for being educated overseas. Parvana's family is used to relying on Father for almost everything. When father is forced away, the family is taken back from how much pressure their new lives has entitled them.
From what is left of the family, begins to fall apart. Mother goes into depression, after the reality of her missing husband hits. The family begins to crumble, as all hope is lost, until Mrs Weera comes to save them. Mrs Weera steps in and guides the family back to their original state. Mrs Weera comes up with the idea of Parvana dressing as a boy, so she can move around the market place more freely. Although, this meant Parvana must go against the law, in order for her family to survive. The middle of the the novel is all about Parvana making a sustainable 'business,' in order for her family to receive some income. While Parvana was working she came across one of her old school friends, also dressing as a boy in order to be a 'tea boy.' They discuss possible ways in earning more money for their families. |
The two girls find a way of earning yet more money and pursue their ideas. They later earn enough money to buy trays, in which they use to sell objects off to passersby. Parvana later returns home after a days work to discover Nooria (Parvana's older sister) is being sent off to marry. Parvana stays home, while the rest of the family accompanies Nooria. While Parvana is home her father returns from prison. War breaks out where Nooria is planned to be-wed her future husband. Father and Parvana decide to go after the rest of the family and this is where the story, Parvana ends.