AuthorBahramRahmangrewupinAfghanistanduringyearsofcivilwarandtherestrictiveTalibanregimeof1996-2001.HewroteTheLibraryBustotellnewgenerationsaboutthestrugglesofwomenwho,likehisownsister,wereforbiddentolearn.ItisstilldarkinKabul,Afghanistanwhenthelibrarybusrumblesoutofthecity.Therearenobusseats--insteadtherearechairsandtablesandshelvesofbooks.Andtherearenopassengers--insteadthereisPari,whoisnervouslystartingherfirstdayasMama’slibraryhelper.Paristandstalltohandoutnotebooksandpencilsatthevillagesandtherefugeecamp,butshefeelsintimidated.ThegirlstheyvisitarelearningtowriteEnglishfromMama.Parican’tevenreadorwriteinFarsiyet.Butnextyearshewillgotoschoolandlearnallthereistoknow.Andsheissolucky.Notlongago,Mamatellsher,girlswerenotallowedtoreadatall.Award-winningillustratorGabrielleGrimard’spensiveandcaptivatingarttransportsthereadertoAfghanistaninthetimeaftertheTaliban’sfirstregime.Herrichlandscapesandcompellingcharacterscelebrateliteracy,ingenuity,andthestrengthofwomenandgirlsdemandingafutureforthemselves.
