Words in the Dust

Trent Reedy

Mar 2013 · Sold by Scholastic Inc.

About this ebook

Winner of the Christopher Medal and a "heart-wrenching" Al Roker's Book Club selection on the Today Show.

Zulaikha hopes. She hopes for peace, now that the Taliban have been driven from Afghanistan; a good relationship with her hard stepmother; and one day even to go to school, or to have her cleft palate fixed. Zulaikha knows all will be provided for her--"Inshallah," God willing. Then she meets Meena, who offers to teach her the Afghan poetry she taught her late mother. And the Americans come to her village, promising not just new opportunities and dangers, but surgery to fix her face. These changes could mean a whole new life for Zulaikha--but can she dare to hope they'll come true?

Ratings and reviews

This book opened my eyes to several things. Much of it is based on actual people and occurrences. The story is told from the point of view of an Afghani girl with a cleft palate and a desire to attend school. Some parts are interesting looks into a culture different from mine. Other parts are heart breaking. It definitely made me appreciate being born in my country. Words in the Dust should be on your reading list.

It's a very loving story, it touched me to the depth of my heart. The life lesson was to love by his or her heart but not by their featured ness

I read the summary and one page of the sample and I'm already in LOVE with it. But my school doesn't have this book. 😔 and I really wanna finish it

About the author

Trent Reedy is the author of Divided We Fall, Burning Nation, and The Last Full Measure, a trilogy about the second American Civil War; If You're Reading This; Stealing Air; and Words in the Dust, which was the winner of the Christopher Medal and an Al Roker's Book Club pick on the Today show. Trent and his family live near Spokane, Washington. Please visit his website at www.trentreedy.com.