Zia’s Story

＂Take care of your mother,＂ twelve-year-old Zia’s father whispers to him just as he is arrested-never to be seen again. Soon afterward, the Russian army pulls out of Afghanistan, and the country falls into a devastating civil war.

The Taliban takes over, establishing a regime of great brutality and creating an atmosphere of fear-women are not allowed to work nor can girls go to school. Many thousands join the perilous journey to neighbouring Pakistan seeking refuge--Zia and his mother among them.

Shahnaz Qayumi was born and raised in Kabul. Zia’s Story is her first book for young people and is closely based on other Afghans and her as a refugee from war-torn Afghanistan. After fleeing Afghanistan, she found refuge in Canada. She now lives in Vancouver and teaches at Langara University.

Nahid Kazemi is an artist, illustrator and graphic designer. She has published many award-winning children’s books, and was nominated for the Governor General’s Literary Award and the 2020 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award. Her recent publications include Over the Rooftops, Under the Moon and The Old Woman. She has exhibited her work around the world. Nahid lives in Montreal.