Review- A House Without Windows

A House Without Windows
by Nadia SashimiWilliam Morrow (August 16, 2016)

• ISBN-10: 0062449680

• ISBN-13: 978-0062449689

• Hardcover: 432 pages

Wisteria's Review

I must begin by saying that like other reviewers have noted: I also reread many chapters in this exquisite novel centered on the protagonist Zeba, a fiercely strong and unselfishly determined Afghan woman. 

Yusuf, a native Afghan male is a young and eager lawyer. He recently returned to Afghanistan after living with his parents in New York.  Yusuf hears about the case and meets with Zeba at the prison. Yusuf soon discovers to his dismay that Zeba is an uncooperative client. Yet, reluctantly she agrees to his representation in her defense.  However, in order to save Zeba's life he is confronted with the difficult task of uncovering answers, but for now he only has endless questions. 

As the story begins, Zeba a dutiful Afghan wife and mother is found near the lifeless body of her husband. The cause of death an obvious blow to his skull with a hatchet. Naturally, family and friends are horrified by the discovery. Zeba is naturally accused of murder as she is the only one in the yard with him.  She is taken to the woman's prison in Kabul, Chil Mahtab. Her children confused and helpless are whisked away to live with Zeba's husband's family.  


Nadia Hashimi is a masterful storyteller. Be prepared to be entranced with each page by her poetic prose and equally engaging plot that meanders as a  hurricane erratic and unexpected.   As a result, the writer skillfully enhances the readers curiosity. Hashimi obviously knows her novel's direction, but as a reader you have no idea what's about to unfold.  The suspense is relentless. 

Nadia Hashimi is a polished storyteller. I still yearn to reread passages. I still have thoughts regarding Afghan women and their lack of human rights, women's rights and substandard status. I can't help but compare and reflect on this culture's norms.  I cried many times, I ached for Zeba and the other women prisoners whose reasons for imprisonment are inconceivable. to me. 


Woman's rights throughout our country and the world are of great interest and concern to me. For that reason, I read countless books that depict women who suffer and are controlled by the male dominated society where ever they reside.   A HOUSE WITHOUT WINDOWS by Nadia Hashimi is by far  an exceptional novel.  Written with this author's heart, it is an emotionally satisfying and unforgettable read!

This book has melody, harmony and discord beautifully orchestrated from the beginning to its conclusion. I know I won't soon forget this story of Zeba and everyone's inner struggles to gain justice. 

Disclosure: 

I want to thank Lauren Lauzon from William Morrow for providing a copy of this book for my candid unbiased review. 

Other books by Nadia Hashimi

One Half From the East

When the Moon is Low

The Pearl That Broke It's Shell

~ Wisteria Leigh October 2016

© [Wisteria Leigh] and [Bookworm's Dinner], [2008-2016). Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to [Wisteria Leigh] and [Bookworm's Dinner] with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Owl Babies by Martin Waddell

OWL BABIES
Written by Martin Waddell
Illustrated by Patrick Benson
Candlewick Press
2002
Picture Book: Age 2-8, Pre K-Grade 3
9780763617103

Themes: family, caring, feelings



Owl Babies is one of my favorite children's books to read aloud.  I teach special needs students and ELL students who have responded with enthusiasm when they hear this story.  As a media specialist I teach technology skills and information literacy skills and often use technology with the students after they have listened to a story. With Owl Babies, students have created their own Pixie slides as they recall a favorite part of the story.  Where the author uses speech bubbles, the students are able to relate the visual to the text dialogue.  I was so thrilled to discover this video slideshow that will have an even greater impact on their comprehension.  The illustrations by Patrick Benson are so vivid, they capture the adorable expressions of the three babies, most especially Little Percy.  This will be a real treat for my students. Take a look.....



Disclosure:  I own a copy of this book that I purchased.

© [Wisteria Leigh] and [Bookworm's Dinner], [2008-2013].

It's All About Children Thursday-Aldo Zelnick Comic Novels

This week I received in my mailbox from Independent Publishers Group two books that I immediately sat down to read. As I've said before, I usually won't stop everything, stop reading the book I'm involved in to read something that just arrived. These two books screamed "Read me, please!" So, I did. Comparisons will be made to the Diary of a Whimpy Kid series, and I can see why from the format. However, they are different and Aldo (rhymes with Waldo) Zelnick is sure to cause a stir in YA hearts.



Aldo Zelnick Comic Novel
Artsy-Fartsy
Written by Karla Oceanak
Illustrated by Kendra Spanjer
Bailiwick Press
978-1934649053
Ages 9-12
162 pages
humor, graphic novel, magic, family, friendship, mystery




Aldo Zelnick loves to draw, and his eccentric grandmother Goosy is an artist who gives him a sketchbook as a gift to start off his summer vacation.
The first book is called Artsy-Fartsy, followed by Bogus. You might imagine distasteful language, but not so. Aldo records his life, his friends, family, pets and his somewhat unusual neighbor, Mt. Mot. He's ancient.* and of course Goosey, his grandmother.




Bogus (book 2)
978-1934649066

What I love about each book is Aldo's self generated glossary of difficult words he selects, places an asterick in the text and then provides the definition in his words at the end. Each book highlights a difference letter onset. For instance, Artsy-Fartsy focuses on all the words starting with A.


For example: Definition of Artsy-Fartsy
artsy-fartsy: artistic, creative. Sometimes when people call someone artsy-faartsy, they mean he or she is trying to show off by being artistic. But Goosy told me she thinks artsy-fartsy just means being creative and having fun with it.

*ancient: 50 years old or older


The collaboration between Karla Oceanak and Kendra Spanjer is delightfully entertaining. These are so much fun to read and the illustrations are a riot, providing chuckle time. Hope you check them out. I'm sure this will be an A-Z popular hit in my media center. I can see teaching dictionary skills has just been made easier.


© [Wisteria Leigh] and [Bookworm's Dinner], [2010].

Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to [Wisteria Leigh] and [Bookworm's Dinner] with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

All About Children Thursday-August 5, 2010

This week on All About Children Thursday, I have a perfect book for the young reader in grades 4-6. If you want to join the meme go to the link above to read all about it. This is a meme all about children and books they might like. I'm excited to share books for children with you and can't wait to see what everyone is reading.






This week I wanted to share a book I received from The Picnic Basket.



The Witchy Worries of Abbie Adams
Rhonda Hayter
Dial Books for Young Readers
978-0-8037-3468-5
242 pages

This is the story of Abbie Adams, a fifth grader who lives with her mom, dad and little brother. Pretty normal so far right? Except, Abbie and her family are all witches. Lately, it is becoming harder to control her magic spell impulses when she faces trouble in her classroom and when she tries to help her little brother out of a jam. One day her dad, who also happens to be a doctor working on a cure for witch flu, brings home a little black kitten. One day when Abbie is looking into the kittens eyes she sees a little boy. Eventually, the family learns he is the young Thomas Edison, inventor. Now all they have to do is figure out a way to turn young Tom back to a boy and return him to his century. Well, the task turns out to be not that easy.

Rhonda Hayter tells a hilariously imaginative story, with witty dialogue and a host of misfit characters. Told through Abbie's point of view, a bright, adorable, sarcastic and sensitive witch who you will fall in love with. You will chuckle at her thought process and cleverness. Thomas Edison, the boy in disguise as a cat is naturally inquisitive and you can only imagine what he thinks of our 21st century life.

The book lends itself so well as a riveting read-a-loud. The Witchy Worries of Abbie Adams is a charming fun-filled book about family, time travel and a little magic in a not so typical family, yet it seems some things never change.













© [Wisteria Leigh] and [Bookworm's Dinner], [2010].

Review-Bloodroot, by Amy Greene

BLOODROOT
Amy Greene, Alfred A. Knopf, Dutton, March 2008, $25.95,HC,464pp, 978-0-525-95054-7.

Byrdie Lamb was said to be one of those witches from Chickweed Holler, one who as they say had “the touch”. She gave birth to five children and buried four. Her last child Clio has a wandering, adventurous spirit and is not happy staying at home with Byrdie, so it comes as no surprise when she runs away to get married. One day Clio and her husband are killed, leaving behind her daughter Myra. Byrdie’s relationship with Clio was never close, but she is devoted to Myra. They live together on Bloodroot Mountain, an inseparable pair. Brydie shares her ways with her, all is good until John Odom catches Myra's eye. Like her mama before her, Myra leaves Bloodroot Mountain to get married.

At this point, the reader picks up the story from Myra’s children’s point of view. They are twins, a son and a daughter. Myra’s life unfolds in Greene’s intricate, multi-layered story that holds together like a carefully laid mosaic. Byrdie, Doug, John Odom, Laura Odom Blevins, and finally Myra share a piece of the tale adding dimensions from their memories of the past as the truth is revealed through them. The expressive, tangible characters and breath with a hint of Appalachia in their souls. The story takes place from 1929 at the beginning of the Great Depression through today.

The pain of the characters,breathtakingly warm and genuine, will penetrate deep into your heart. Greene’s story about family, forgiveness and healing, is summarized beautifully in her words, “It’s not forgetting that heals. It’s remembering.”

Although told with a smooth measured cadence the story moves with unstoppable momentum. Sobbing as the final pages were read, I sat motionless, deep in thought with the opened book on my lap. A poignant debut with emotional depth.

Disclosure: This ARC was sent to me for review from Historical Novels Review.
Original review published in Historical Novels Review, Issue 52, May 2010 as an Editor's Choice.

Wednesday's Child-Poppy and Ereth by Avi

Wednesday's Child is going to be the day I review my tike to teen literature.This week I have a book by Avi, the sixth and final book in his Poppy series. This book is an awesome read-a-loud as my 3rd graders will tell you. It is written for grades 3-7 and about an age range of 8-12. It is sad to see the Poppy series end after so many wonderfully years. Avi's website is www.avi-writer.com

My Review

Harper Collins
211pp
978-0-06-111969-9x

Poppy and Ereth demonstrate once again Avi’s writing genius in his genre. His personified world is humanized through his artfully delivered dialogue. Fantasy overlaps non-fiction with his quick facts about animals written into the story text. Avi is a superb storyteller who will open doors to a new world if you acquiesce.


My students were saddened when they heard Poppy and Ereth, the latest book, would also be the final book in the delightfully sunny series by Avi. This last book centers around the relationship between Poppy, the deer mouse and Ereth the peevishly prickly porcupine. When Poppy takes an unexpected flight and can’t be found, an unsettled air takes over Dimwood Forest and her friends. Most unusual is the bizarre behavior of Ereth, who assumes a smiling face of fright, atypical of him, in the hopes of becoming more sociable.


Poppy and Ereth like others in the series, is uplifting and humorous with lessons of friendship, family, caring and love that will make you laugh, giggle and cry. With profuse sadness, I don’t want to say goodbye to this series. Perhaps the introduction of a certain new character, with a certain new home leaves room for a new series to come. Whatever Avi writes next, I know it will surprise and satisfy his audience.

Wisteria Leigh