Words in the Dust (review)

Abstract

Reviewed by: Words in the Dust Hope Morrison Reedy, Trent. Words in the Dust. Levine/Scholastic, 2011. [288p.] ISBN 978-0-545-26125-8 $16.99 Reviewed from galleys R Gr. 6-10. When American soldiers first pull into An Daral, the Afghani village where thirteen-year-old Zulaikha lives, she has no idea that her life is about to change forever. Born with a severe cleft palate and profoundly crooked teeth, Zulaikha has lived her life under a constant barrage of verbal abuse: village boys call her "Donkeyface," shopkeepers chase her out for fear that her appearance will scare away other customers, and her speech and her ability to eat and drink are impaired. Not long after the Americans' arrival, an American medical officer offers Zulaikha a pro bono surgery to fix her disfigured mouth. After a few setbacks, both major and minor, Zulaikha is flown to an American base at Kandahar where the surgery is successfully performed. Based on actual events experienced by the author, a recently returned veteran of the war in Afghanistan, this powerful novel gains its impact from Zulaikha's narration, which foregrounds her perspective on the events. The book wisely allows the focus to be more than merely the surgery, following Zulaikha afterwards as she quickly discovers that, while she is deeply grateful for her new face, it doesn't guarantee happiness ever after. The effect of the American forces' presence is clearly complicated: Zulaikha is thankful for their intervention in her own life, but she's also shocked and troubled by their insensitivity, ignorance, and cluelessness about social norms. Several side stories, most notably the wedding celebration of Zulaikha's sister, Zeynab, and Zulaikha's secret meetings with an older Afghani woman who is teaching her to read and write, add further depth to the storyline as well as abundant cultural information about contemporary Afghanistan. Readers will readily find themselves rooting for Zulaikha in this simply told yet thoughtful story. An author's note, pronunciation guide, and list of recommended reading are included. Copyright © 2011 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois