Words in the Dust
Trent Reedy
📚 Genre
Children's / Young Adult Historical Fiction
🏢 Publisher
Scholastic
📅 Publication Year
2013
🔢 ISBN
978-0544143210
About This Book
Inspired by the true story of a young Afghan girl, this novel follows thirteen-year-old Zohra, who suffers from a disfiguring cleft lip and lives under the oppressive rule of the Taliban. When American soldiers arrive, her life begins to change, offering her unexpected chances at education, hope, and healing. The cover features a poignant portrait of a young girl wearing a vibrant red headscarf against an arid landscape with a military vehicle.
Book Details
Language
English
Pages
272
Edition
Paperback Edition
Series
Standalone novel
Target Audience
Young Adult / Middle Grade (Ages 10-14)
Collector Information
Condition
Good condition. The softcover shows minor edge wear and slight creasing along the top corner, but the front cover graphic remains vivid and clean with the Scholastic logo clearly visible.
Estimated Value
$5-$12
Rarity
Common. This is a widely printed scholastic paperback edition readily available in libraries, schools, and secondhand markets.
Historical Significance
Recognized for providing young readers with a compassionate, realistic glimpse into the lives of Afghan children, particularly girls, under Taliban rule and during the post-2001 American intervention. It won the Christopher Award in 2012.
Collector Notes
This paperback reading copy holds minimal monetary value for serious book collectors. To preserve it, store away from direct sunlight to prevent fading of the red headscarf graphic on the cover. Focus on keeping the pages clean and avoiding spine creasing if maintained as a personal reading copy.
Similar Books
The Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis, Parvana's Journey by Deborah Ellis, I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai, Shabanu: Daughter of the Wind by Suzanne Fisher Staples
Notable Features
Includes an introduction by Newbery Medalist Katherine Paterson and features a 'As Seen on NBC's Today Show' promotional badge on the cover.