The Taliban forbid women and girls to appear in public without being covered from head to toe and accompanied by a male family member. Parvana's father is arrested and the family is left without a breadwinner - someone who can earn money and shop for food. As conditions for the family become desperate, only one solution remains. Forbidden to earn money as a girl, Parvana disguises herself as a boy and becomes the breadwinner. This novel brings to life an issue that has recently come to light around the world.

English language arts grade 9 (2009).