PLAYING FOR FREEDOM The Journey of a Young Afghan Girl

Zarifa Adiba's joy and hopefulness shine through her story and in every word she speaks from her memoir. Zarifa has big dreams to play the viola, conduct an orchestra, go to Harvard, meet Michelle Obama. She also faces major obstacles as she grows up in a country that doesn't value girls and opposes any musical expression. Zarifa earns money for her family by teaching English in Kabul. Her English is perfect but with an Afghan accent and a slightly singsong intonation that infuses authenticity and charm. Zarifa navigates complicated family relationships, especially with her mother, that sadden and infuriate her and underlie all her achievements and challenges. Listeners will both root for her and fear for her. A.B. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2024]