Shooting Kabul

This book is not about our army in Afghanistan, but about the power of photography to express emotions and bring people together. I spotted Naheed Hasnat Senzai’s book for young readers (ages 8 – 12) in the volunteer room at nearby Crosspointe Elementary School and asked if I might borrow it. So glad I could–it’s a powerful book for readers of all ages. Many thanks to the Boynton Beach Kiwanis Club for donating a rich trove of books to the school. Each is stamped “Read to Succeed.”

It begins with a vivid description of the chaotic scene in which six-year-old Mariam gets separated from the rest of her family as they board a crowded truck to escape from the Taliban in Kabul in the summer of 2001. I immediately empathized with the excruciating regret and shame each member of the family felt about inadvertently leaving Mariam behind. Amazon’s summary of the rest of the story is succinct:

Adjusting to life in the United States isn’t easy for Fadi’s family and as the events of September 11th unfold, the prospects of locating Mariam in a war torn Afghanistan seem slim. When a photography competition with a grand prize trip to India is announced, Fadi sees his chance to return to Afghanistan and find his sister. But can one photo really bring Mariam home? Based in part on the Ms. Senzai’s husband’s own experience fleeing his home in Soviet controlled Afghanistan in the 1970s, Shooting Kabul is a powerful story of hope, love, and perseverance.

This book reminded me of many joyful interactions I had with recent immigrants in the English conversation classes I led from 2001 to 2008 in Northern Virginia. I appreciated a review of the basic tenets of good photography that Fadi learned in his school’s Photo Club. I was especially touched when Fadi tried to capture on film the love his elderly relatives displayed for each other. For young readers, Fadi and his few new friends model the power of teamwork in taking on challenging assignments and in confronting bullies. Three hours of reading, interrupted by occasional wiping of my eyes, yielded great pleasure.