Under the Persimmon Tree

 

 

 

 

by Suzanne Fisher Staples

 

(available in Paperback, and hardcover)

 

                                                                                            

 

               "Staples powerfully, and honestly expresses the plight of a civilization

    caught between terrorists, and American bombs"

 

-Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

 

 

 Summary

 

The story of Under the Persimmon Tree is the story of a young Afghan girl, named Najmah living with her mother, father and brother. As another normal day starts, her family is suddenly swept away from her by the war. Her pregnant mother is killed by an American bomb, and her father and brother are taken by tt\he Taliban. Meanwhile an American woman, Elaine, or in Afghan Nursat waits in Peshwar, Pakistan, while her Afghan husband works as a doctor in Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan. Nursat teaches lost refugee children under a persimmon tree in her back yard, and as Najmah crosses the border into Pakistan, she finds herself in the care of Nursat. Together they wait for their loved ones to return 

 

 

Opinion

 

This book is a great summer read for anyone interested in middle eastern culture or the war on terror. Even if the read doesn’t have any background knowledge on the subject, the book will enlighten them. The book also has plenty of excitement. There are many twists and turns to keep the reader flipping pages. This is a fast moving book that any indecisive summer read should look into. 

 

 

Quotes

 

"The Taliban said the only thing people can do to enjoy them selves is the walk in the garden and smell the flowers. But ever sinse the Taliban came ot power there has been a draught. It's as if Allah has banished flowers to punish the Taliban for all the evil things they do to people..." 

 

 

Map

 

 

 

Reading Questions

 

1. Who is Elaine, "nusrat" and what role does she play in Under the Persimmon Tree ?

 

2. Were is the village where Najmah grew up ?

 

3. What star is Najmah talking about when she say's "Demon Star" ?

 

 

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