Enduring Freedom

Gr 9 Up–Set in the aftermath of 9/11, this story follows two young men from opposite ends of the earth whose lives have changed forever. Joe, a white U.S. Army soldier studying to be a journalist in his freshman year of college, is sent on his first tour to Afghanistan. Ready to take on the Taliban and seek vengeance on those who were responsible for 9/11, Joe comes to the realization that Afghanistan is not what he expected. Baheer, a teenage boy living in a war-torn Afghanistan under the rule of the Taliban, is trying to live day by day. Given the choice between farm work or going to school, Baheer realizes quickly that the future he wishes for Afghanistan lies in learning. When Joe and Baheer’s worlds collide, both are challenged in their beliefs, responsibilities, cultural differences, duties to their country, and their people. An unlikely relationship is formed and put to the test. Readers will find Baheer to be a genuine teenage boy whose struggles do not change him from doing what is right based on Islamic teachings he learns from his grandfather. Joe’s growth is more apparent as he challenges himself to write the truth.