Ten months after leaving Oxford, England, Yasmine still is adjusting to life in Afghanistan. Half the girls cannot read, some are getting married at the age of 14, and the Taliban influence still exists in the country. After Yasmine meets Tamanna, the two girls become friends. A school is opened for girls to attend in their village. The Taliban burn down the school and threaten the teacher and students with death. The Taliban target Yasmine’s educated family, and Tamanna faces an arranged marriage to an older man. The two girls make the decision to flee their village and travel unescorted through Taliban controlled territory. In trying to reach Pakistan and safety, Tamanna suffers grave injuries after falling. Determined to cross the Pakistan border alone, Yasmine survives a suicide bombing.

English language arts 10 (2011).