Deborah Ellis, One More Mountain (A Parvana Story), Allen & Unwin, November 2022, 256 pp. RRP $16.99 (PBK) ISBN 9781761068133
Parvana’s Green Valley School provides essential shelter and support for young girls in Afghanistan seeking refuge. With the help of Shauzia, many girls are rescued, including 15-year old Damsa. However, the safety of the school and the girls and women who reside there is placed in jeopardy when the Taliban people rise once again, endangering women’s freedom and rights.
Rafi (Parvana’s son) dreams of being a dancer, but what will this sudden uprising and chaos mean for his safety and future?
The 6th book in the Parvana series, One More Mountain is able to emotionally and accurately highlight the dangerous living circumstances girls and women in Afghanistan face during the rise of the Taliban people. The strong grit, courage and resilience shown by Parvana’s character throughout the novel and rest of the series serves as a beautiful tribute to all the strong women in Afghanistan, who continually fight for their rights and strive to protect others despite their hardships. One More Mountain is recommended for ages 13 and older, due to the violent and graphic scenes it includes. It is able to provide a haunting insight to the true nature of life in Afghanistan with the return of the Taliban.
Reviewed by Emily Woolnough
