{"product_id":"enduring-freedom-9781643750408","title":"Enduring Freedom","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThis powerful novel set in the tumultuous times surrounding 9\/11 follows a teenage American army private and an Afghan boy living under the Taliban as they discover they have much more in common than they ever could have imagined.​\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Baheer, a studious Afghan teen, sees his family's life turned upside down when they lose their livelihood as war rocks the country. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e A world away, Joe, a young American army private, has to put aside his dreams of becoming a journalist when he's shipped out to Afghanistan. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e When Joe's unit arrives in Baheer's town, Baheer is wary of the Americans, but sees an opportunity: Not only can he practice his English with the soldiers, his family can make money delivering their supplies. At first, Joe doesn't trust Baheer, or any of the locals, but Baheer keeps showing up. As Joe and Baheer get to know each other, to see each other as individuals, they realize they have a lot more in common than they ever could have realized. But can they get past the deep differences in their lives and beliefs to become true friends and allies? \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ci\u003eEnduring Freedom\u003c\/i\u003e is a moving and enlightening novel about how ignorance can tear us apart and how education and understanding can bring us back together. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"Through Baheer, readers ages 12 and older will gain some understanding of life under the Taliban; of the concussive shock of 9\/11 as felt in Central Asia; of Afghans' varied responses to the American invasion; and most of all the transformative promise of schooling. Through Joe, an aspiring journalist, readers experience not only the throb of post-9\/11 patriotism but also the tedium, camaraderie and sudden terrors of soldiery in a war zone.\" \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e--\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Wall Street Journal\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTrent Reedy \u003c\/b\u003eserved as a combat engineer in the Iowa Army National Guard from 1999 to 2005, including a year's tour of duty in Afghanistan, where he befriended Jawad Arash. Based upon his experiences there, he wrote his debut middle-grade novel, \u003ci\u003eWords in the Dust\u003c\/i\u003e, which won the Christopher Medal and was chosen for Al Roker's Book Club for Kids on the \u003ci\u003eToday\u003c\/i\u003e show. His novels \u003ci\u003eStealing Air, If You're Reading This, \u003c\/i\u003eand the \u003ci\u003eDivided We Fall\u003c\/i\u003e trilogy were Junior Library Guild selections. Trent also writes a weekly military life column for the \u003ci\u003eWashington Examiner\u003c\/i\u003e. He lives with his family outside Spokane, Washington. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003eJawad Arash's \u003c\/b\u003ehome country of Afghanistan has been at war throughout his entire life. Nevertheless, Jawad remained optimistic for his future. Despite challenges imposed by war, he developed a love for learning and wanted to help build a new and better Afghanistan. \u003ci\u003eEnduring Freedom\u003c\/i\u003e is his debut novel.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Algonquin Young Readers","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50677297905938,"sku":"9781643750408","price":13.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_d3d140bc-f012-4740-a321-b2399c739abb.jpg?v=1733892598","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/enduring-freedom-9781643750408","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}