Shooting Kabul

Senzai, N.H. (2010). Shooting Kabul. New York, NY: Simon and Schuster Book for Young Readers.

Interest Level:  Grades 5-8

Reading Level: 5+

It's pre-September 11th in Afghanistan and twelve-year old Fadi's family are fleeing the country illegally, heading for the United States. Fadi's family had previously lived there while his father Habib received his PhD in Agriculture and had returned- despite his mother's feeling that they should stay in America- so that he could help the people of Afghanistan. Now the political environment grows more tense with Taliban control of the country. After a recent Taliban visit to the family's house to recruit Habib into Taliban leadership, he decides that it's time for him to move his family to safety. The night has come that they are to flee to Afghanistan, hidden in the back of a cargo truck with many other families leaving illegally. Fadi is responsible for getting his little sister on to the truck, but looses his grip on her hand when she drops her beloved doll and she wiggles free of him to retrieve it. With the Taliban closing in on them the truck driver drives away, leaving Miriam behind. The family makes it to Fremont, CA to stay with family, hopeful that they will see Miriam again. Fadi feels particularly responsible for her and devises many schemes, including winning a photography contest which would allow him to return to the Pakistan/Afghanistan border in the hopes of finding her.

Senzai's first novel is a well written book that makes the confusing topic of the events of September 11th more approachable for young readers. The age group that it's written for has knowledge of 9/11 and has been raised with the policies enacted as a reaction to the terrorist attacks and subsequent war, but they probably are not aware of the details of the time. This novel puts a human face on Middle Eastern families, showing that not all are extremists or terrorists. Readers will empathize with Fadi as he tries to find a way to get his sister back to the family and as he deals with bullying and racism at school. The timing of this novel's release make it a particularly good addition to any collection.