Reading Is All There Is

The story takes us to Afghanistan where we first encounter the young Rahima. She is the third out of five girls in her family. In Afghanistan, and many other cultures, it's unfortunate and even shameful not to have any sons. Rahima's father does not hide his disappointment. Along with his opium addiction, he makes life harder for his family - barely providing for them. From time to time, he takes his girls out of school because it isn't safe for them to go alone. The sisters are harassed by the men in their village. If only they had a son who could escort them. That's when Raisa, Rahima's mother, remembers an old tradition, bacha posh . It has been and still is practiced by families who don't have sons. Instead they take a young daughter, cut her hair, give her boy's clothes and turn her into a boy. This happens to Rahima and for a time, she is blessed with the freedom that only boys experience. Rahima's aunt Shaima tells the story of her great-great gr...