Shabanu: Daughter of the Wind

Suzanne Fisher Staples' Newbery Honor-winning novel, Shabanu: Daughter of the Wind, introduces readers to Shabanu, a spirited eleven-year-old girl living a nomadic life in the Cholistan Desert of Pakistan. On the cusp of womanhood, Shabanu cherishes her independence and her beloved camels. However, a tragic encounter with a powerful landowner, Nazir Mohammad, leads to the murder of her sister's betrothed and forces Shabanu into an arranged marriage with Nazir's much older brother. This coming-of-age story explores themes of cultural tradition, family loyalty, personal freedom, and resilience as Shabanu grapples with an impossible choice. Parents should be aware that the book has received criticism for its portrayal of Islamic marital customs, with some finding it outdated or misrepresentative of Pakistani culture. It is a powerful story for discussing cultural differences and individual rights.

When eleven-year old Shabanu, the daughter of a nomad in the Cholistan Desert of present-day Pakistan, is pledged in marriage to an older man whose money will bring prestige to the family, she must either accept the decision, as is the custom, or risk the consequences of defying her father's wishes.