Based on a true story, Nasreen’s tale opens with an author’s note that details some of the changes in Afghanistan during the Taliban reign of 1996–2001, including the restriction on girls from attending school or university. Brave “citizens… defied the Taliban in many ways, including supporting the secret schools for girls” both during and after the Taliban’s control of Afghanistan. In the story that follows, Nasreen lives alone with her grandmother after her father is seized by soldiers and her mother leaves to search for him. Nasreen does not speak after her parents’ disappearance, and her grandmother decides to send her to a secret school for girls, hoping that she will “learn about the world… and speak again.” Although her silence persists for a long time, eventually Nasreen begins to talk to another girl at the school and learns to read, write, and do math. “Windows opened for Nasreen in that little schoolroom… Nasreen no longer feels alone. The knowledge she holds inside will always be with her, like a good friend.” Illustrations are framed and surrounded by white space, serving as windows into Nasreen’s world. (Ages 6–10)

Nasreen lives in Herat, an ancient city of Afghanistan during the time of the Taliban takeover. After her father disappears and her mother leaves to go in search of him, Nasreen withdraws into a silent world. In despair, her grandmother risks everything to enroll her in a secret school for girls. The story is told in the first-person voice of her grandmother. An author’s note includes information about the Global Fund for Children, a nonprofit orga nization committed to helping children around the world. The author also addresses the tragic circumstances of girls during the 1996–2001 reign of the Taliban in that country. CCBC Choices, CBC/NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Book, Jane Addams Children’s Book Award. djg