For young readers interested in real-world stories of courage and perseverance, this book shares inspiring narratives from Afghan women facing immense challenges.
A parent might reach for this book when their child starts asking questions about global events or wants to understand the real-world impact of headlines about conflict and human rights. "Rising After the Fall" is a powerful collection of short, true stories from Afghan women and girls whose lives were drastically changed when the Taliban returned to power in 2021. Through their own words, readers meet journalists, students, athletes, and artists who face the loss of basic freedoms with incredible courage and resilience. Appropriate for mature middle-grade readers, this book moves beyond news reports to foster deep empathy, providing inspiring, real-life examples of perseverance in the face of injustice and fear. It is an essential read for building global awareness and appreciating the fight for education and equality.
The central theme is extreme, systemic gender-based discrimination.
ViolenceMild
Describes threats and an environment of fear, but does not contain graphic depictions of violence.
Cultural Content GapMild
Readers may need some background on the recent history of Afghanistan for full context.
Sensitive Topics
The book directly addresses sensitive topics including political oppression, extreme gender-based discrimination, loss of human rights, fear, and forced displacement. The approach is journalistic and biographical, not metaphorical. While the context is a specific political and religious situation (the Taliban's interpretation of Islam), the focus is on the universal human rights struggle. The resolution for these women is realistic and ongoing; their situations are not resolved, but the book's tone is one of defiant hope, highlighting their inner strength and refusal to give up.
Ideal Reader
The ideal reader is a mature, empathetic 11- to 14-year-old who is beginning to engage with global current events and social justice. This child is ready to look beyond headlines to understand the human cost of conflict and is likely motivated by stories of real-world courage. It's an excellent choice for a young person developing a passion for activism or human rights.
Parent Prep
Parents absolutely should read the introduction and perhaps a story or two before giving this to their child. The book requires significant context about recent Afghan history and the role of the Taliban, which a parent should be prepared to discuss. The content is not graphic, but the emotional weight of losing one's freedom is profound. This is a book to be discussed, not just handed over. A parent has heard their child ask, "Why do they say girls can't go to school in Afghanistan?" or express frustration and helplessness about bad news they see in the world. This book provides a constructive, human-centered way to engage with those difficult questions.
Age Experience
A younger reader, around 10 or 11, will connect with the personal injustices: a girl who can no longer play soccer, a student barred from her classroom. An older reader, 13 or 14, will be better able to synthesize these individual stories into a larger understanding of systemic oppression, international politics, and the importance of journalism and protest.
What Makes It Special
Unlike a single-protagonist memoir, this anthology format provides a panoramic view of the crisis's impact across different professions and age groups. Its immediacy and focus on contemporary, ongoing events make it a vital, timely document rather than a historical account. The inclusion of the women's own words lends it an undeniable authenticity and power that sets it apart.
Read plot summary
This nonfiction book is an anthology of first-person narratives from various Afghan women and girls following the fall of Kabul to the Taliban in August 2021. Each chapter introduces a different individual: a university student, a journalist, a member of the girls' robotic team, a taekwondo athlete, and more. The stories detail their lives, ambitions, and dreams before the takeover, and then describe the immediate and devastating impact of the new regime on their freedom, education, and safety. The accounts focus on their acts of defiance, resilience, and their unwavering hope for the future.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
The book features many women who continue to learn or work in secret. Why are these seemingly small acts of defiance so important and so dangerous in their circumstances?
2
Several women describe the shock of their rights disappearing overnight. How does reading their stories change your perspective on freedoms you might take for granted, like going to school or playing a sport?
3
The title of the book is 'Rising After the Fall.' Based on the stories you read, in what different ways are these women and girls 'rising'?
4
If you had the chance to speak with one of the women featured in the book, what would you ask her?
