Shooting Kabul                                                                                                 by N.H. Senzai 

              Shooting Kabul by N.H. Senzai, is a book about a family from Afghanistan who move to California because they were under the Taliban rule. They decide to move and take a truck which will take them to Peshawar,Pakistan. When the truck arrives, some of the Afghans hear the noise and see

the lights of the truck and than they fight there way to the truck because they realize the the truck will get them out of Afghanistan and free of the Taliban. Chaos starts happening really fast. As the truck gets ready to leave, 11 year old Fadi was ordered to watch his 6 year old sister,Marium, while them and Fadi's parents and his older sister,Noor, get in the truck before the Taliban come. Fadi accidentally lets go of Marium's hand and she gets left behind, leaving Fadi and his family in misery. When they arrive to California, Fadi feels guilty of losing Marium. He decides to enter a photography contest at school,where the winner will win a trip to India. Fadi thinks that by going to India, Fadi can fly from India to Pakistan and find his sister. Fadi needs to win this contest in order to bring his little sister back. 

                                       The theme in the book is family. Fadi's family  help him when he gets bullied at school and also when Fadi feels upset about Marium. For example, on page 56, Uncle Amin let Fadi's family stay at his house with his family untill they find a place. Another example is on page 131, Noor gives Fadi fifty dollars to join the photography contest. Also, on page 188-189,Fadi's family helps him when he gets bullied at school. That's why I think the theme is that family is important.   

                                                                        I would recommend this book to 7th graders. The reason why is because this book has so many details and you can really see it in your head. Another reason why is because this book is very heartwarming and is very touching on how much Fadi cares for his little sister. Also, this book teaches you lessons of what Fadi experienced and learned. I would recommend this book to 7th graders.

About the Author- N.H. Senzai lived in Jubail, Saudi Arabia. She spent her childhood in San Francisco and went to London for high school. This book is based in part on Ms. Senzai's husband's experience fleeing Afghanistan in 1979. She currently lives in San Francisco Bay with her husband and son.

I got my picture at    http://cynthialeitichsmith.blogspot.com/2010/07/new-voice-nh-senzai-on-shooting-kabul.html