Parvana's Journey

In the novel, Parvana, Asif, and Leila experience the weight of war differently as children. Analyze and discuss some of these differences compared with the experiences of adults in the novel. How does your response from the Personal Connection Prompt compare with the children’s experiences in the novel?

Teaching Suggestion: This question invites students to consider Parvana and her companions’ journey from the perspective of children in war. They are forced to become adults much sooner than they should have. Furthermore, the traumatic effects of war affect each of the children differently. Asif is physically affected from the war. Parvana becomes increasingly burnt out from what happens to her. Leila is detached from the reality of war. This question works well as an in-class discussion, where students may work together to make connections and broad comparisons between their responses and the novel.