Nasreen's Secret School: A True Story from Afghanistan [Hardcover]

This picture book is told as narrated by the grandmother,which I think helps to provide an emotional buffer for children. She tells of how music and arm and learning once flourished in her city, but now soldiers have come and changed everything, and these things are now gone. Her grand-daughter, Nasreen stays at home all day because the Taliban soldiers deny the joys and privileges of schooling to girls.

Nasreen's father is taken away by the police, and her mother goes to find word of him and never returns. Nasreen retreats into her own inner world and ceases to speak. The grandmother hears of a secret school for girls and she brings her grand-daughter to the school, praying to Allah that she will find something there to help her bloom again.

The soldiers come to the school once, but the girls outwit them, says the grandmother, by hiding their forbidden schoolbooks and reading the Koran by the time the soldier comes. Other times boys outside watch and distract the soldiers. One day Nasreen speaks to a friend in the school and tells her of her sorrows, and after that she begins to smile, and 'little by little, day by day,' she learns to read, to write, to do math, and she learns of the world around her. The grandmother compares what she learns to windows, and says that with this knowledge, Nasreen will never again be alone, "the knowledge she holds inside will always be with her, like a good friend."

The illustrations remind me a little of the Grandma Moses style, primitive, an almost dreamlike sense of perspective, but with a marked Middle Eastern influence. I think this adds to the book's appeal immensely, and also helps keep things from being too frightening- the illustration for the page where the police take away the father, for instance, shows the father and police officer at the most distant point in the frame, reduced in size and perspective, making the image less terrorizing and disturbing to a child than it might otherwise be.

Is this too much for a young child? Parents must, as always, make that determination based on knowledge of their own children. My personal view is that young children do not bring to books the background knowledge and experience that adults do, and thus they will not find the book as frightening and disturbing as their parents do. We know that in all likelihood Nasreen's parents have been executed, but the book never says so, and small children do not have the historical knowledge and understanding that would make this clear to them.

There is a poignant illustration on the page that talks about the school closing for the long winter recess and how their relatives gave them what food and firewood they could spare. The illustration shows Nasreen and her grandmother sitting near the small woodstove, heavy snow falling outside. I realize the deprivation and hardship behind this picture and these short sentences- I know that with no male family members in her home, the grandmother her has no income but the charity of her other relatives. I realize what a bleak, hard, cold, and probably hunger filled winter this is for the pair- but a small child does not have this experience to bring to the story, and only sees that relatives were generous, and the grandmother and grand-daughter are cozily curled up by the fire.

Are some things in the book over a small child's head? Perhaps, but I think it is good to respect the minds and hearts of children enough to allow them to stretch and grow.

The Tale of Peter Rabbit has been immensely popular with very young children for nearly a century, even though it is the story of a young rabbit running for his life, attempting to avoid his late father's nasty fate of being popped into a pie and eaten by Mr. McGregor. Beatrix Potter uses words like 'implore' and 'exert,' and yet children love it, and grow from the experience.

The frightening things in Nasreen's Secret School may be a bit more disturbing to adults as it is a true story about real human beings rather than a fictional story about talking bunny rabbits, but I suspect that to young children there is not so great a divide between their concern (and belief in) talking bunnies and real little girls who live in far away countries like Afghanistan.

I think this is a lovely book with much to recommend it and it will give the children who read it many things to think about.

In "Nasreen's Secret School", young Nasreen has fallen into depression since her father was taken by the Taliban and her mother disappeared looking for him. She has withdrawn into herself and won't speak. Her grandmother takes a risk by enrolling her in a secret school for girls, believing that it's the only thing that can bring Nasreen out of her shell. Although it takes time, Nasreen eventually starts to respond to her new knowledge, and to other people.

This is a wonderful book about the importance of education, the healing powers of love, and the ability of the human spirit to rise above oppression. Although the story is set in Afghanistan and has a distinct Middle-Eastern backdrop, the themes and emotions presented are universal. I appreciate the fact that the grandmother narrates the tale. Nasreen seems too shy to tell her own story, and the grandmother probably has more awareness of what's going on. This also helps adult readers relate to the story better, I think. The book also evoked a good emotional response from me. I was especially touched by a scene where Nasreen finally opens up to one of her classmates.

Some may worry that the story is too heavy for children, and it is a bit much for the four and under group. However, I think older children will be able to appreciate and enjoy it. They may not understand all the complexities of the plot, but they will understand the basics: Nasreen is sad because her parents are gone, but she's able to find happiness in learning and new friends. These are emotions children can relate to. The story does have sad parts, but I think children can handle it. It's important for them to experience different emotions so they can relate to others. It's a good book that gets children asking questions and imagining new experiences. And there's nothing graphic in this book, either. When Nasreen's father is taken, the reader is simply shown a picture of some soldiers at the doorway while Nasreen hides, and next the father being led away by the soldiers. The characters appear sad but not anguished, so it shouldn't upset little ones.

I did find the art a little too simple. It was pretty, with lots of bright colors, and the faces were expressive enough, but it wasn't really my style. I did appreciate the Mid-Eastern feel it had, but I generally prefer more realistic artwork.

But overall, "Nasreen's Secret School" is a book that parents and children can enjoy together. It should spark questions from children, which is a great opportunity for parents to help them learn about these important subjects. The story works on different levels, so children may enjoy coming back to it later in life when they're better able to understand certain parts. A great book that teaches children how even people from different cultures have the same feelings.

This book is a well written picture book based on a true story. Picture books are not always geared for the very young, but can be an excellent source to launch discussions among children, especially upper elementary. This book would be a great addition to a teacher's classroom library. Teachers often need a story that provides a brief exposure to a problem in order to get the kids all on the same page. Based on current events, Nasreen's Secret School would be excellent starting point to advance further research on the Taliban. Students will easily be able to grasp the enormous risk girls take in Afghanistan just to get an education.

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