Characters
This is the main character who disguises herself as a boy to help her family.
Who is Parvana?
The country where the story takes place.
What is Afghanistan?
Parvana cuts her hair and changes her clothes to do this.
What is pretend to be a boy?
Parvana shows this trait by helping her family despite fear.
What is courage?
The word “breadwinner” means this.
What is the person who earns money for the family?
Parvana’s younger sister who loves stories and simple joys.
Who is Maryam?
The city where Parvana and her family live.
What is Kabul?
Parvana earns money by reading these for people in the market.
What is reading letters aloud?
The story highlights unequal treatment based on this.
What is gender?
Parvana’s clothes symbolize her loss of this.
What is childhood?
Parvana’s father, a former teacher who is arrested by the Taliban.
Who is Baba?
This group controls the city and enforces strict rules.
Who are the Taliban?
Parvana is arrested for this simple action.
What is fighting with a boy / standing up for herself?
Parvana’s actions show the importance of this for survival.
What is education?
The market represents this in the story.
What is survival?
The girl Parvana befriends who also dresses as a boy.
Who is Shauzia?
A place where Parvana secretly earns money by digging up bones.
What is the graveyard?
Parvana risks her safety daily to support her family in this role.
What is being the breadwinner?
The novel teaches that children can show this even in hard times.
What is resilience?
Cutting her hair symbolizes this change.
What is independence?
Struggles after her husband is taken away.
Who is Mother (or Mrs. Weera)?
A dangerous time period marked by war and strict laws.
What is Taliban rule in Afghanistan?
The novel ends with Parvana deciding to do this.
What is search for her father?
A major idea about standing up to unfair rules.
What is freedom (or resistance)?
The story shows boys and girls are not treated the same.
What is fairness?