Stuff
Product Details
Atheneum Books for Young Readers, June 2008
Hardcover, 208 pages
ISBN-10: 1416947280
ISBN-13: 9781416947288
Grades: 7 and up
Read an Excerpt
Chapter 1
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- Californa Young Reader Medal
- CBC/NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Book
- Choose to Read Ohio Booklist Selection
- Dorothy Canfield Fisher Book Award Master List (VT)
- Ohioana Book Award
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Description
"Our lives will always be in the hands of our mothers, whether we like it or not."
Nazia doesn't mind when her friends tease and call her a good beti, a dutiful daughter. Growing up in a working-class family in Karachi, Pakistan, Nazia knows that obedience is the least she can give to her mother, who has spent years saving and preparing for her dowry. But every daughter must grow up, and for fourteen-year-old Nazia that day arrives suddenly when her father gets into an accident at work, and her family finds themselves without money for rent or food.
Being the beti that she is, Nazia drops out of school to help her mother clean houses, all the while wondering when she managed to lose control of her life that had been full of friends and school. Working as a maid is a shameful obligation that could be detrimental to her future -- after all, no one wants a housekeeper for a daughter-in-law. As Nazia finds herself growing up much too quickly, the lessons of hardship that seem unbearable turn out to be a lot more liberating than she ever imagined.
Nazia doesn't mind when her friends tease and call her a good beti, a dutiful daughter. Growing up in a working-class family in Karachi, Pakistan, Nazia knows that obedience is the least she can give to her mother, who has spent years saving and preparing for her dowry. But every daughter must grow up, and for fourteen-year-old Nazia that day arrives suddenly when her father gets into an accident at work, and her family finds themselves without money for rent or food.
Being the beti that she is, Nazia drops out of school to help her mother clean houses, all the while wondering when she managed to lose control of her life that had been full of friends and school. Working as a maid is a shameful obligation that could be detrimental to her future -- after all, no one wants a housekeeper for a daughter-in-law. As Nazia finds herself growing up much too quickly, the lessons of hardship that seem unbearable turn out to be a lot more liberating than she ever imagined.
Read more:
Chapter 1How did you come to write this book?
By now, so many people have asked me this question. Generally, I say, well, I travelled to Pakistan, lived there for many years, and I enjoy writing. But in reality, it goes beyond that.
There was a point during my stay in Karachi where I'd seen so many families facing misfortune that I almost turned away. There was one time I was sitting in a car waiting and a little boy came up to my car window and begged me for money to buy food. I had already given so much too so many like him, but I did it again.
It was hot, I was tired, pregnant, and desperately wanted to get home and have an ice cold diet Pepsi. The little boy asked for more. And more kids came. I rolled up my window. I turned away. They tapped and tapped. I wished them away. They didn't tap harder or raise their voices. They just prayed for my unborn child and asked me to pray for them. That just broke my heart.
My soon to be born child would have everything, including their prayers. What would they be left with? I gave again. And wondered how long would it be before I forgot about them. Who would remember these kids on the street?
I think that was when the seed was first planted in my mind. The seed of a story about children who struggled for everything, but still had heart. They were good people caught up in bad times. It was not their fault. Someone had to share their stories.
There were so many stories. Nazia, the main character in Beneath My Mother's Feet, came to be when I started wondering about the backstory of these kids and their families. Hopefully, I did them justice.
SNP Online, February 7, 2009
...Planners expect between 700 and 800 attendees to choose from dozens of sessions on books and teaching literacy. Amjed Qamar, author and Dublin resident, has attended the conference in the past and been motivated by other authors. This year ...
Helium, January 8, 2009
...Beneath my Mother's Feet by Amjed Qamar is a book every daughter should definitely read. It follows the path of Nazia, a girl living in Karachi, Pakistan. Nazia's friends ...
