I received this novel as an advance, reader copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The latest installment in this series continues the takes of children living in Afghanistan, trying to escape their realities.  I recommend it fir classroom use of to anyone who enjoyed the previous books.

The latest instalment in the breadwinner series, One More Mountain, by Deborah Ellis, is set closer to the present, in 2021 when the Taliban regained power in Afghanistan. Parvana and Shauzia are back, this time as adults, who are ready to help Damsa, a 15 year old who is trying to run away from home and prevent being forced into marrying at such a young age. At 160 pages, this chapter book is the perfect length for readers in then 9-12 age range. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to read and review this book!

Parvana oversees a safe house in Afghanistan when the Taliban once again take over the country. Parvana is supported by her husband, Asif, and her best friend, policewoman Shauzia. The three of them met as children 20 years ago when the Taliban triumphed the first time, and they scramble to fly Parvana’s sister and her 11-year-old son Rafi out of the country and to relocate the young girls from the safe house to a safer part of the country. Nothing goes as planned, and the shocking twists will keep you turning pages.

This is Canadian author Deborah Ellis’ fifth book to feature Parvana and Shauzia; even though this is my first encounter with the courageous duo (now in their 30s), I never felt lost. I loved this middle-grade book enough to stay up much too late to finish it in one sitting — high praise, indeed — and to decide to read the series from the beginning with The Breadwinner. In addition, all royalties are going to the Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan — very important at this time when history is, sadly, repeating itself for the benighted Afghan women.

In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley, House of Anansi Press Inc. and Groundwood Books in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Wow!!! What a great book but so sad that another book was written about Parvana. Don’t get me wrong…I loved it but it made me sad and angry that the people of Afghanistan are right back where they were. Like Deborah pointed out they are a different Taliban now because they can read, are more educated etc Even though I have seen the stories on the news of the people at the airport trying to leave…..that whole part in the book had me hanging on every word. Then when Asif dies….I had to take a moment because the sadness of the loss was so palpable. Reading this book was like seeing an old friend when reading about characters that we have read about before and shaking my head at some of them because they still haven’t changed….I am looking at you Maryam! I also loved meeting the new characters and their life story reads like headlines from the news