Shooting Kabul by N.H. Senzai

Reviewed by Jennifer

Ratings

Content Ratings based on a 0-5 scale where
0 = no objectionable content and
5 = an excessive or disturbing level of content

Guide to Rating System

LANGUAGE

VIOLENCE

SEXUAL CONTENT

ADULT THEMES

Ratings Explanation

Language: Bullies call Fadi names like “towel head”, “camel jockey”, and “terrorist”. There is one religious exclamation.

Violence: A man is beaten up. Two bullies attack Fadi. There is punching, kicking and biting.

Adult Themes: The oppressive Taliban regime is discussed. A six-year-old girl is left behind in Afghanistan when her family escapes from the country. The family deals with guilt and sadness. A Pakistani store in San Francisco is vandalized. Events of September 11. Bullying.

Synopsis

Shortly before September 11, 2001, eleven-year-old Fadi and his family escape Afghanistan in the middle of the night and flee to Pakistan. As they scramble into the truck that will take them to freedom,  his six-year-old sister Mariam’s hand slips from his and the truck zooms into the night. Unable to stop the truck or go back for Mariam, the family continues on their exodus to America, each member feeling guilt for Mariam’s separation from the family.

Fadi begins middle school in California, making some unlikely but true friends in the photography club,  but when the events of 9/11 rock the world, he has to deal with prejudice and ignorance. Fadi learns that violence is not a solution to his problems and bravely unites with other Afghani students who rise above the violence that others promote.

When Fadi hears about a photography contest that will earn the winner two plane tickets to India, he sees it as his chance to get back to Pakistan and help in the search for Miriam. When he finally discovers that shot that he is sure will win the contest, he puts all of his faith in Allah and the possibility of bringing Mariam home.

I enjoyed reading this story and learning more about the Afghan culture, people and their perspective on the events of 9/11. And best of all, Shooting Kabul is based on the real life escape of the author’s husband’s family from Afghanistan. I thought Senzai did an exceptional job of bringing a lot of emotion into this heart wrenching story, but in small doses. As it is written for fairly young children (ages 9-12), and contains some heavy themes, too much extreme emotion could be overwhelming, but I thought she handled it well. My only complaint is that some of the conversations sounded stilted, but other than that it is an informative and enjoyable read. Obviously with the content, it will give opportunities to discuss timely issues as well as consider the events of 9/11 and their effect on the world through the eyes of a young boy.