Do it Yourself Book Club
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The Breadwinner
by Deborah Ellis
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Because the Taliban rulers of Kabul, Afghanistan,
impose strict limitations on women's freedom and
behavior, eleven-year-old Parvana must disguise
herself as a boy so that her family can survive
after her father's arrest.
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Discussion
What must Parvana do to help her family? What do
you do to help yours?
At first, Parvana is excited that she can't go to
school and acts like it's a long vacation.
Nooria, on the other hand, is upset about it.
What does Nooria know that Parvana doesn't?
Why does Parvana's family have to be so careful
about trusting people? Do you trust others easily?
Why is Parvana chosen to be the breadwinner of
the family? Do you think that would Nooria
accept the responsibility if she could?
What things are you able to do that Parvana
can't? Do you take those things for granted?
Parvana's mother and sister have not been outside
for over a year. How would you deal with having
to stay inside for so long?
Shauzia decides to leave Afghanistan to make a
better life for herself. What is more important
to Shauzia, providing a good life for herself or
staying with her family? What would you choose to
do?
Why is it so important print the magazine about
Afghanistan?
Who is the woman in the window? Why does she give
gifts to Parvana?
What is something you learned while reading this
book?
Can you relate to any of the characters? If so,
who? If no, why not?
Do you think that women are treated unfair under
the rule of the Taliban?
At first, Parvana doesn't want to dig up graves
but soon gives in. Why do you think this is?
Why do you think that Deborah Ellis wrote this
book?
What do you think happens after the end of the
book? Does Parvana find her family or not?
Why was Parvana's father thrown in prison?
What does the term "breadwinner" mean to you? Why
do you think this word was chosen for the title
of the book?
What is a free country? Do you think Afghanistan
under the Taliban is a free country? Do you think
that the United States of America is a free
country?
What happened at the "soccer game" on page 120?
What do you think of the punishment that the men
got for being thieves?
Activity
Make Your Own Newsletter
Fromlibrarysupportstaff.com
You will need:
- a computer with Microsoft Word
What to do:
- Open Word and select new from the File menu.
Go to the Publications tab and double-click the
Newsletter Wizard template.
- Choose the style of the newsletter: elegant,
contemporary, or professional. Select whether you
want it to be in black and white or color and
click Next.
- Give the newsletter a title and date and
click Next.
- Decide if you want to leave room for a
mailing label. Click Next.
- Press Finish.
- The newsletter contains instructions on how
to edit and add information.
- Now start having fun throwing together some
pictures of your trip or news about your friends,
family and job.
Helpful hints:
- Prefabricated columns and boxes allow your
article to flow over several pages. Link text
boxes to create a newspaper-style document. For
example, continue a front-page article on page
12.
- Change the style of any section by placing
your cursor in the desired spot. Then choose
another style from the drop-down menu at the top
left of the program. You can also modify borders,
headers, and footers.
- Adjust pictures in your favorite graphics
program, then add the images to your newsletter.
Edit the contrast, size, and other basic elements
to fit the document.
- Before you add large graphics, decide whether
you're going to send your newsletter through
snail mail or email. Naturally, pictures and
other elements will increase file size, annoying
many email recipients. If you send the newsletter
through the mail, you don't have to worry.
- Finally, before you print, send a draft of
your copy to a trusted friend or associate to
proofread and critique. Keep your news witty.
Your readers will thank you.
Recipe
Honey-Whole Wheat Bread
From BettyCrock
er.com
Prep Time:35 min
Start to Finish:3 hr 50 min
Makes:2 loaves (16 slices each)
Ingredients:
2 packages regular active dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water (105°F to 115°F)
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
3 teaspoons salt
2 1/2 cups very warm water (120°F to 130°F)
4 1/2 cups Gold Medal® whole wheat flour
2 3/4 to 3 3/4 cups Gold Medal® all-purpose flour
Directions:
- In large bowl, dissolve yeast in 1/4 cup warm
water.
- Add honey, butter, salt, 2 1/2 cups very warm
water and 3 cups of the whole wheat flour.
- Beat with electric mixer on low speed 1
minute, scraping bowl frequently.
- Beat on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl
frequently.
- Beat in remaining 1 1/2 cups whole wheat
flour.
- With spoon, stir in 2 1/4 to 2 3/4 cups of
the all-purpose flour until dough pulls cleanly
away from side of bowl.
- On lightly floured surface, knead in
remaining 1/2 to 1 cup all-purpose flour;
continue kneading 5 to 10 minutes or until dough
is smooth and springy.
- Grease large bowl with shortening or cooking
spray; place dough in bowl, turning dough to
grease all sides.
- Cover; let rise in warm place 30 to 45
minutes or until doubled in size.
- Generously grease 2 (8x4- or 9x5-inch) loaf
pans with shortening or cooking spray.
- Gently push fist into dough to deflate;
divide in half.
- Shape dough into loaves; place in pans.
- Cover; let rise in warm place 30 to 45
minutes or until doubled in size.
- Heat oven to 375°F.
- Uncover dough; bake 30 minutes.
- Reduce oven temperature to 350°F; bake 10 to
15 minutes longer or until loaves sound hollow
when lightly tapped.
- Immediately remove from pans to cooling
racks. Cool completely, about 1 hour.