Jameela lives with Mor, her mother, and Baba, her father, in war-torn Afghanistan. Despite being born with a cleft lip, Jameela feels secure and safe. Mor suddenly dies, and Jameela's world is no longer safe. An opiate user, Baba smokes as a way to deal with his issues and failures. On a whim, Baba decides to leave the village and seek a new life for himself and Jameela in Kabul. Upon first arriving in Kabul, Jameela works in a house and Baba, in addition to his drug use, starts to drink heavily. Baba suddenly remarries, and Jameela becomes a slave to her step-mother. Jameela's step-mother encourages Baba to abandon her in the market, where ironically, life is better for Jameela. Placed in an orphanage, Jameela learns to read and her cleft lip is repaired. .

English language arts 10 (2011). Note: As the text deals with drug use, educators are advised to consult their school division's materials selections policy before using this text in the classroom.