Shabanu: Daughter of the Wind: Amazon.ca: Suzanne Fisher Staples: Books

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From Publishers Weekly

PW called this Newbery Honor book about a Pakistani girl a "thorny, poignant coming-of-age" novel. "Staples's depiction of desert life is breathtaking. She employs vivid, lyrical metaphors to create the potency of the family's joys and struggles." Ages 12-up.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description

"This first novel is, on several counts, one of the most exciting YA books to appear recently. Staples is so steeped in her story and its Pakistani setting that the use of a first-person voice for a desert child rings authentic--the voice is clear, consistent, and convincing. Shabanu and her sister are to marry brothers as soon as they all come of age. But she will eventually lose her betrothed and be promised to a wealthy landowner to settle a feud. The richness and tragedy of a whole culture are reflected in the fate of this girl's family. Through an involving plot Staples has given readers insight into lives totally different from their own, but into emotions resoundingly familiar."--(starred) Bulletin, Center for Children's Books.

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Customer Reviews

176 Reviews

5 star:		(77)
4 star:		(49)
3 star:		(15)
2 star:		(14)
1 star:		(21)

Average Customer Review

3.8 out of 5 stars (176 customer reviews)

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Most helpful customer reviews

1.0 out of 5 stars Not the best, Jul 13 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Shabanu: Daughter of the Wind (Mass Market Paperback)

In my opinion this book was a dicrase to all books. Although it gave points to different kinds of religions,people, and cultures, this book was horrible and boring.This book is about a young girl traveling through different places to prepare for her sisters wedding. Shee goes through different obstacles that makes everything harder and more difficult to overcomplesh. Trying to obey her parents and concentrating on the world in front of her everything turns in to a disater. This is not the best book to read for a child of any age(not trying to insult Ms.Staples). To me in my own opinion I did not enjoy the book at all I do not recommend it and it was very boring. So before you decide to but this book read the good and BAD editorial reviews. I dont give this book any stars I gave one because I had to put at least one to post my review.

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4.0 out of 5 stars Semi-authentic take on rural Islamic society, not bad at all, Jun 25 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Shabanu: Daughter of the Wind (Mass Market Paperback)

The storyline is fine, but I might not agree that the author's views on rural life in a staunchly Islamic society are as authentic one could get. Pakistan is surely more modern and liberal than it might appear to an average Westerener.

I would also beware readers not to confuse the Islamic society in Pakistan with the secular democratic society in India, which has an essentially Hindu culture with an entirely different approach towards life. It would do serious injustice to the distinctively and sacredly Islamic ways of life in Pakistan, and to its traditional culture. Despite their inter-cultural exchanges, Pakistani and Indian thinking vary quite as much as that of, say, the US and Mexico. (The author's book "Shiva's Fire" describes life in Hindu Indian culture more authentically.)

The least the American schools should do about educating students on foreign countries is not to lump up distinct cultures together.

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4.0 out of 5 stars "Kid Lit" a good read at any age, April 1 2004

By	Kevin C. Rolfe (Jacksonville, FL USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Shabanu: Daughter of the Wind (Mass Market Paperback)

Some of the best books I have read in recent years, have been considered "Kid Lit" and Suzanne Fisher Staples' books about Shabanu rank near the top of the list. The characters are well drawn; the plot well defined; the glossery helpful and informative; the conclusion plausable. In fact, I was so pleased with "Daughter of the Wind" and "Havali," I was looking for a third book which may fit between the first and second!

Apart from the engaging story, what I found most facinating was the mix of old and new, ancient and modern, which surrounds Shabanu's life -- open cooking fires and arranged marriages on the same page with air conditioning and automatic weapons! In fact, one is well into the book before it is clear the story is actually set in the late 20th century! This gives us Westerners a peek into the complexities of Eastern societies which seem so at odds with our own. Yet the struggles of growing up, accepting and fitting into our societies is so universal, it unites us all!

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Most recent customer reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars AMAZING!!
Shabanu Daughter of the Wind is one of Suzanne Fisher Staples greatest achievements and that would be sayin a lot. Read more

Published on Mar 9 2004

3.0 out of 5 stars An utter embarrasment.
This is a very sad excuse for a book. Everything in it was incorrect. First of all, Islam does not tolerate violence; that is completely false. Read more

Published on Jan 11 2004 by Sana

5.0 out of 5 stars WONDERFUL BOOK FOR ALL PRE-TEEN GIRLS
I am 11 just like Shabanu at the beginning of the book. This book was VERY inspiring and explained the troubles in a girl's perspective about "growing-up". Read more

Published on Nov 30 2003

5.0 out of 5 stars A "MUST READ" for today's kids
Shabanu is about a young Cholistani Muslim girl growing up in rural Pakistan as a camel herder. The story is seen through her eyes as she transforms from a young, impetuous,... Read more

Published on Nov 21 2003 by Kamala