Chapter Fifteen

Chapter 15

Vocabulary refugee camps, 159. derision, 162

1. When he returns home, how has her father changed?

2. How does Parvana's father react to Kaseem?

3. What future event motivates Shauzia to leave Afghanistan as soon as possible?

4. Where are Parvana and her father going?

5. What great feat did Fatana and Mrs. Weera accomplish?

6. How is the country of Afghanistan like the flowers Parvana planted for the window woman?

7. “...the roots are good. When the time is right, these roots will support plants that are healthy and strong.” What does this statement mean?

8. What does the final image of Mount Parvana with the snow on its peak sparkling in the sun seem to indicate to Parvana? Explain your answer.

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter 14

Vocabulary rummaged, 144.

1. What does Parvana risk to save the crying woman?

2. What actions of Parvana’s demonstrate her cleverness and bravery?

3. Why is Homa’ story so frightening to Parvana and Mrs. Weera? What does Parvana fear?

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter 13

1. What seems to be the advantages of Nooria moving to Mazar-e-Sharif? Why is Nooria looking forward to going there?

2. Why is Parvana left in Kabul?

3. What is upsetting Parvana and Shauzia?

4. In what way does Mrs. Weera treat Parvana more like an adult than hr mother does? Has Parvana earned Mrs. Weera’s respect?

Chapter Twelve

Chapter 12

1. What does Parvana fear will happen to her father?

2. Why does Parvana miss work for a few days?

3. What does Shauzia plan to do in the future? Why? Do you think this is a good plan?

4. On page 128, Parvana reveals her two greatest wishes. What are they? What do these two wishes reflect about her being the breadwinner?

5. In spite of the horrors of everyday life, flowers still managed to bloom. What might these flowers symbolize for the future?

6. What were other signs of life blooming during summer?

7. What does Parvana fear is happening to the Window Woman?

8. “What goes on in a man’s house is his own business.” This was said to Parvana as she heard thuds coming from the window woman’s house. Do you agree or disagree with this quote?

9. What do you think is going to happen to 15 year old Nooria?

Chapter Eleven

Chapter 11

1. How does Parvana explain her lateness to her terrified mother? Why was her mother upset? Why does Parvana cry?

2. On page 116, a different Parvana emerges. In what way does she show her maturity and sense of responsibility? In what way does the wise Mrs. Weera support here?

3. Explain Parvana’s new plan for making money. Do you think it will work? Why or why not?

4. How are thieves punished under the Taliban regime?

Chapter Ten

Chapter Ten

Vocabulary intact building, 105. rubble, 105. rotting stench, 105. bone broker, 105.

1. What are Parvana and Shauzia going to do to make more money? Could you do a job like this? Why or why not?

2. “Kabul has more land mines than flowers...Landmines are as common as rocks an can blow you up without warning.” What are land mines and what type of damage can they do?

3. What dangerous solution to the bathroom problem do the girls devise?

4. Why don’t the girls want to tell their families about their well paying job?

Chapter Ten

Chapter Ten

Vocabulary intact building, 105. rubble, 105. rotting stench, 105. bone broker, 105.

1. What are Parvana and Shauzia going to do to make more money? Could you do a job like this? Why or why not?

2. “Kabul has more land mines than flowers...Landmines are as common as rocks an can blow you up without warning.” What are land mines and what type of damage can they do?

3. What dangerous solution to the bathroom problem do the girls devise?

4. Why don’t the girls want to tell their families about their well paying job?