I’m not sure how I missed The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini when it was originally released in 2004, but I am glad I can now say that I have read it. The book is actually on our 10th grade summer reading list at North Cobb Christian School. I’d like for all of my rising sophomores to know that I read the book in about 4 hours. I guarantee that you will be moved by this book!
Reading this book has really opened my eyes to the people of Afghanistan and what all is happening in that war-torn country. The story of Amir and his father Baba along with Hassan and his father Ali is a story of hope, betrayal, loyalty, and ultimately…family. There is also a strong undercurrent of second chances throughout the book that most anyone will be able to identify with quite easily. This book ranks right up there for me with Empire of the Sun and Not Without my Daughter for helping paint a very accurate picture of a people group that I was previously uneducated about.
The Kite Runner is also further reminder for me that kids around the world…are still kids. They all have hopes and dreams and need to be reminded that they are talented, they are loved, and that they serve a great purpose on this earth. This was definitely not a Christian book, in fact it opened my eyes to some Muslim customs that I wasn’t aware of. Overall, I am grateful for the opportunity this book gave me to consider Afghanistan from a different perspective…through the eyes of a child.