Description
From the author of the New York Times bestseller Amal Unbound, Hafsa's Way is an uplifting story about a girl who defies expectations by pursuing her dreams.
Hafsa has always dreamed of becoming a doctor, so when she's accepted into a prestigious summer science camp, she's thrilled. But her parents are not happy. The camp is expensive, it's in a big city and they don't think a girl should aspire to be a doctor.
But it turns out Hafsa has enrolled in the wrong program and the other kids treat her badly. When she refocuses her energy on climate change, she encounters an elephant with bigger problems than her own. She realises that standing up for what's right sometimes means breaking the rules. But Hafsa's ready, even if it means getting in trouble.
Review
Hafsa lives in the Pakistani village where two of Amal Saeed's previous books, Amal Unbound and Omar Rising, were set. Amal is Hafsa’s best friend and this is Hafsa’s story.
Hafsa has applied to a prestigious school for their summer science camp, without her parents’ knowledge. When she is accepted her father totally forbids her going. He believes that Hafsa’s progressive ideas are ridiculous - imagine believing that she could one day become a doctor!
Fortunately, her new brother-in-law is a doctor from a wealthy family. When he offers to pay for Hafsa to attend and to allow her to stay with his family, Hafsa gets her way. But what Hafsa didn’t know is that they run a medical camp one year, and a climate change one the next - and she has enrolled in the wrong camp!
Never one to let opportunity slip past her, Hafsa quickly embraces what she is taught. During a field trip to the local zoo she encounters an elephant living in appalling conditions, and she is determined to do something to help. But what can one young girl do?
Full of big topics but written to make it easily accessible to a younger readership, this is truly a wonderful story. Covering issues like equal rights, bullying, animal welfare, climate change and working to make a difference, this is an ideal classroom discussion novel for those in both upper primary and lower secondary.
