The Breadwinner Trilogy Download Free (EPUB, PDF)
Deborah Ellis’ trilogy has been a phenomenal success, both critically and commercially. Now young readers can experience this entire epic story in one volume. The Breadwinner is set in Afghanistan, where 11-year-old Parvana lives with her family in a bombed-out apartment building in Kabul. When her father is arrested for the crime of having a foreign education, the family is left with no money or resources. Forbidden to earn money as a girl, Parvana must transform herself into a boy and become the breadwinner. In Parvana's Journey, her father has died and the family has scattered. Parvana, now 13 years old, is determined to find them. Again masquerading as a boy, she joins a group of wandering children, all refugees from war, who exist mainly on courage. In Mud City, the focus shifts to 14-year-old Shauzia, who lives in the Widows' Compound in Pakistan and dreams of escaping to a new life in France. Deborah Ellis uses simple, compelling language, memorable characters, and a wealth of imaginative detail in this wrenching look at the human cost of war that is also a surprisingly hopeful story of survival.
Paperback: 520 pages
Publisher: Groundwood Books (August 25, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0888999593
ISBN-13: 978-0888999597
Product Dimensions: 1 x 5.2 x 7.8 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #88,380 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #107 in Books > Teens > Mysteries & Thrillers > Law & Crime #494 in Books > Teens > Literature & Fiction > Social & Family Issues > Family
As a girl growing up in the Taliban-controlled capital of Afghanistan, Parvana has already witnessed an enormous array of injustices and cruelties in her short lifespan. The Taliban had instituted a host of restrictions on the rights and freedoms of women and girls, so she and her sisters could no longer go to school and their mother had to give up her job. Even stepping foot outside required male accompaniment and the body cover of a chador or burqa. Bombing raids had decimated their previous homes, causing the family to live in poverty in a single cramped room of a bombed-out apartment building. This situation thus sets the stage for the three consecutive novels bound together in The Breadwinner Trilogy. The first story, The Breadwinner, depicts Parvana's courage and savvy as she takes on a boy's identity in order to generate an income in the marketplace when their father is arbitrarily imprisoned by the Taliban. In Parvana's Journey, Parvana travels across the war-torn country in a desperate attempt to find her mother and siblings, who had left Kabul for a wedding. Along the way she supports and joins forces with several other children who were orphaned and debilitated by the war. The final tale, Mud City, follows Parvana's strong-willed friend Shauzia, who has fled Afghanistan and must navigate the harsh realities of a refugee camp and life on the streets of Peshawar, Pakistan. This eye-opening volume provides readers with a stark look at the hardships caused by Taliban rule and ongoing conflict in Afghanistan. These devastating consequences include disruptions to family life, the destruction of buildings and homes, and the removal of job and schooling opportunities. Weighty topics certainly, but in telling the stories from a child's point of view, the author makes the content accessible to middle grade readers and young adults who are ready to leave the comfort zone of lighter reading materials.
My son was reading this book for school (sixth grade). I was so intrigued by the title, that I started reading it as well. This is a wonderful story for children and adults alike. It gives parents and children a "real" substantive issue to discuss. It helps the reader empathize with Parvana (the main character). It provides a good overview of the situation that many children and their families face under the Taliban. It leaves you longing for more. I'm so glad it's a trilogy.
There is no point in this book that doesn't abolutely amaze me that humans are so resilient, so determined to live and can endure such pain and destitution. The writer writes simply but that gives the book so much more power since the story is about children. A reader who lives in North America with such opportunity and wealth it is hard to imagine such horror happening to children elsewhere in the world. We have come so far and yet allow this to continue. A powerful story and message that makes one weep.
The Breadwinner Trilogy tells the story of two young girls who lived in Afghanistan during the time of Taliban rule in the 1990's. During this time of war, the two girls are forced to dress as boys in order to provide for their families. Later, the girls are separated from their families and each other, and have to fend for themselves;.Overall, these were great books. I read them aloud to my children, ages 9 and 11. Whenever we reached the end of a chapter, they would beg me to read more. The story line had enough action to keep the kids' interest, while at the same time providing a wealth of information about Afghanistan, the Taliban, war, and human rights issues.My only negative comment is that the middle part of the second book (Parvana's Journey) was a little slow. I will also mention that some of the content was more serious in nature: the results of war; refugee camps; children who are maimed and missing limbs due to land mines; starvation; etc. If your children read the book, you should just be prepared to talk to them and discuss some of these issues. My kids and I had some very good discussions about the effects of war, women's rights, etc. after we read some of the chapters. The books were very thought-provoking and educational, while at the same time holding the kids' interest. I would definitely recommend it.
This book is part of my grandson's required reading for going into 6th grade and we are very pleased with the selection. While part of the story is difficult to read and imagine children/girls having to live under these conditions it is a reality and it is good for people to know.
Wonderful portrayal of the struggles of two cities in Afghanistan. Looking forward to reading more about these characters as I was eager to learn where their lives went. The plight of the Afghan people is not one I was very familiar with until I read The Kit Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns. While I won't say "refreshing" it was a welcome change from murder mysteries, law suspense and espionage.
I think this is a great, but sad story. The only thing Deborah Ellis should do, is make another book!!! The last book, made me think, what happens next? There should be another book!!!!!!!!I gave this a 5 Star rating, because it really told the truth about the awful things that are going on in the Middle East. Also, this book is three books, all in one.If you enjoy reading about things that are going on around the world...Then read this book!
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