Enduring Freedom (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9781643750408)

This powerful novel set in the tumultuous times surrounding 9/11 follows a teenage American army private and an Afghan boy living under the Taliban as they discover they have much more in common than they ever could have imagined.​

Baheer, a studious Afghan teen, sees his family's life turned upside down when they lose their livelihood as war rocks the country.

A world away, Joe, a young American army private, has to put aside his dreams of becoming a journalist when he's shipped out to Afghanistan.

When Joe's unit arrives in Baheer's town, Baheer is wary of the Americans, but sees an opportunity: Not only can he practice his English with the soldiers, his family can make money delivering their supplies. At first, Joe doesn't trust Baheer, or any of the locals, but Baheer keeps showing up. As Joe and Baheer get to know each other, to see each other as individuals, they realize they have a lot more in common than they ever could have realized. But can they get past the deep differences in their lives and beliefs to become true friends and allies?

Enduring Freedom is a moving and enlightening novel about how ignorance can tear us apart and how education and understanding can bring us back together.

"Through Baheer, readers ages 12 and older will gain some understanding of life under the Taliban; of the concussive shock of 9/11 as felt in Central Asia; of Afghans' varied responses to the American invasion; and most of all the transformative promise of schooling. Through Joe, an aspiring journalist, readers experience not only the throb of post-9/11 patriotism but also the tedium, camaraderie and sudden terrors of soldiery in a war zone." --The Wall Street Journal

Author: Trent Reedy, Jawad Arash
ISBN-10: 1643750402
ISBN-13: 9781643750408
Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers
Language: English
Published: 05/18/2021
Pages: 368
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 1.00lbs
Size: 8.40h x 5.50w x 1.40d

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 5.4
Point Value: 13
Interest Level: Upper Grade
Quiz #/Name: 514196 / Enduring Freedom


Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 04/01/2021
Publishers Weekly 04/26/2021
Booklist 04/30/2021
Horn Book Magazine 07/01/2021 pg. 103
School Library Journal 07/01/2021 pg. 70
Hornbook Guide to Children 07/01/2021 - Superior,Well Above Average