The Secret Sky - Softcover

Atia Abawi

Softcover

ISBN 10: 039916992X ISBN 13: 9780399169922

Publisher: Penguin Group (USA) Inc., 2014

Synopsis

A novel of love during a time of war by NBC's Afghanistan correspondent. Set in present-day Afghanistan, this is the story of two teenagers, one Pashtun and one Hazara, who must fight against their culture, their tradition, their families, and the Taliban to stay together. Told in three rotating perspectives - the two teens and another boy in the village who turns them in to the local Taliban - this novel depicts both the violent realities of living in Afghanistan, as well as the beauty of the land and the cultures there. And it shows that love can bloom in even the darkest of places. This is an absolute must read not just for teens but for anyone who has lived during the time of America's War in Afghanistan.

About this title

Review:

Praise for THE SECRET SKY

* "Disturbing depictions of physical, emotional, and sexual violence against women, men, and children, both within families and between different groups, contrast with extravagant acts of courage, kindness, and sacrifice....A suspenseful, enlightening, and hopeful love story."--"Publishers Weekly", starred review

"Riveting plot, sympathetic characters and straightforward narration studded with vivid, authentic detail: a top choice."--"Kirkus Reviews"

"["The Secret Sky" is] a tale of the indomitable Afghan spirit of hope and love. Among the many novels set in Afghanistan for young people or for adults, "The Secret Sky" stands alone. Unputdownable. Unforgettable."--Trent Reedy, author of "Words in the Dust"

"The Secret Sky brilliantly captures the magic and the heartbreak of Afghanistan as only someone rooted in its mystery can....This first novel by a top foreign correspondent has the authenticity of raw journalism and the poetry of a gifted writer. A must read for anyone who wants to understand the contradictions of the Afghan soul."--Andrea Mitchell, NBC News Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent and anchor of "Andrea Mitchell Reports"

"A riveting tale written from the heart....This powerful love story will leave you angry at injustice, and awed by courage. It shocks and inspires."--Lyse Doucet, Chief International Correspondent, BBC

""The Secret Sky" is an amazing combination of utterly searing and beautifully romantic. It was like reading "The Kite Runner"--a gripping story that gave insight to this brutal yet magical culture."--Daphne Benedis-Grab, author of "The Girl in the Wall"
Praise for THE SECRET SKY
* "Disturbing depictions of physical, emotional, and sexual violence against women, men, and children, both within families and between different groups, contrast with extravagant acts of courage, kindness, and sacrifice....A suspenseful, enlightening, and hopeful love story."--"Publishers Weekly," starred review
"Riveting plot, sympathetic characters and straightforward narration studded with vivid, authentic detail: a top choice."--"Kirkus Reviews"
"Abawi writes with a gentle hand" in "this heartbreaking rendering of forbidden love."--"Booklist"
"[A] fascinating, if disturbing, examination of what Abawi calls in her author's note a 'traditionally conservative society' faced with globalization and modernity."--"BCCB"
"["The Secret Sky" is] a tale of the indomitable Afghan spirit of hope and love. Among the many novels set in Afghanistan for young people or for adults, "The Secret Sky" stands alone. Unputdownable. Unforgettable."--Trent Reedy, author of "Words in the Dust"
"The Secret Sky brilliantly captures the magic and the heartbreak of Afghanistan as only someone rooted in its mystery can....This first novel by a top foreign correspondent has the authenticity of raw journalism and the poetry of a gifted writer. A must read for anyone who wants to understand the contradictions of the Afghan soul."--Andrea Mitchell, NBC News Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent and anchor of "Andrea Mitchell Reports"
"A riveting tale written from the heart....This powerful love story will leave you angry at injustice, and awed by courage. It shocks and inspires."--Lyse Doucet, Chief International Correspondent, BBC
""The Secret Sky" is an amazing combination of utterly searing and beautifully romantic. It was like reading "The Kite Runner"--a gripping story that gave insight to this brutal yet magical culture."--Daphne Benedis-Grab, author of "The Girl in the Wall"
Praise for THE SECRET SKY
* "Disturbing depictions of physical, emotional, and sexual violence against women, men, and children, both within families and between different groups, contrast with extravagant acts of courage, kindness, and sacrifice....A suspenseful, enlightening, and hopeful love story."--"Publishers Weekly," starred review
"Riveting plot, sympathetic characters and straightforward narration studded with vivid, authentic detail: a top choice."--"Kirkus Reviews"
"Abawi writes with a gentle hand" in "this heartbreaking rendering of forbidden love."--"Booklist"
"[A] fascinating, if disturbing, examination of what Abawi calls in her author's note a 'traditionally conservative society' faced with globalization and modernity."--"BCCB"
"["The Secret Sky" is] a tale of the indomitable Afghan spirit of hope and love. Among the many novels set in Afghanistan for young people or for adults, "The Secret Sky" stands alone. Unputdownable. Unforgettable."--Trent Reedy, author of "Words in the Dust"
"The Secret Sky brilliantly captures the magic and the heartbreak of Afghanistan as only someone rooted in its mystery can....This first novel by a top foreign correspondent has the authenticity of raw journalism and the poetry of a gifted writer. A must read for anyone who wants to understand the contradictions of the Afghan soul."--Andrea Mitchell, NBC News Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent and anchor of "Andrea Mitchell Reports"
"A riveting tale written from the heart....This powerful love story will leave you angry at injustice, and awed by courage. It shocks and inspires."--Lyse Doucet, Chief International Correspondent, BBC
""The Secret Sky" is an amazing combination of utterly searing and beautifully romantic. It was like reading "The Kite Runner"--a gripping story that gave insight to this brutal yet magical culture."--Daphne Benedis-Grab, author of "The Girl in the Wall"
Praise for THE SECRET SKY
A 2015 Amelia Bloomer List selection!
* "Disturbing depictions of physical, emotional, and sexual violence against women, men, and children, both within families and between different groups, contrast with extravagant acts of courage, kindness, and sacrifice....A suspenseful, enlightening, and hopeful love story."--"Publishers Weekly," starred review
"Riveting plot, sympathetic characters and straightforward narration studded with vivid, authentic detail: a top choice."--"Kirkus Reviews"
"Abawi writes with a gentle hand" in "this heartbreaking rendering of forbidden love."--"Booklist"
"[A] fascinating, if disturbing, examination of what Abawi calls in her author s note a 'traditionally conservative society' faced with globalization and modernity."--"BCCB"

"["The Secret Sky" is] a tale of the indomitable Afghan spirit of hope and love. Among the many novels set in Afghanistan for young people or for adults, "The Secret Sky" stands alone. Unputdownable. Unforgettable."--Trent Reedy, author of "Words in the Dust"
The Secret Sky brilliantly captures the magic and the heartbreak of Afghanistan as only someone rooted in its mystery can....This first novel by a top foreign correspondent has the authenticity of raw journalism and the poetry of a gifted writer.A must readfor anyone who wants to understand the contradictions of the Afghan soul. --Andrea Mitchell, NBC News Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent and anchor of "Andrea Mitchell Reports"
A riveting tale written from the heart....This powerful love story will leave you angry at injustice, and awed by courage. It shocks and inspires. --Lyse Doucet, Chief International Correspondent, BBC
"The Secret Sky" is an amazing combination of utterly searing and beautifully romantic.It was like reading "The Kite Runner" a gripping story that gave insight to this brutal yet magical culture. --Daphne Benedis-Grab, author of "The Girl in the Wall""

About the Author:

Atia Abawi is a foreign news correspondent who was stationed for almost five years in Kabul, Afghanistan. She currently lives in Jerusalem and flies around the globe, reporting for NBC.

About this edition

• Publisher: Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 039916992X
• ISBN 13: 9780399169922
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 304