At our last meeting, I read aloud from a book that I am currently reading. It is called, "A Different Kind of Daughter - The Girl Who Hid from the Taliban in Plain Sight," by Maria Toorpakai and Katharine Holstein.
It is about Maria Toorpakai, a female squash player who is ranked as Pakistan's top female player. She is among the top fifty in the world. She lives in Toronto at the moment and trains under Jonathon Power. In order to get to where she is today she had to pretend to be a boy for a large part of her young life.
This book gives us a personal account of what it is like to grow up in Pakistan as a girl who wants to play sports. Maria had the full support of her liberal parents. Within the walls of their home, boys and girls were equal. Instead of simply hearing another tragic tale of Taliban terror, we see Maria learn to navigate her oppressive surroundings and rise up victorious. The reader feels like they are beside Maria every step of the way. I was continually surprised by her adventures and I have learned so much.
I hope you get a chance to read this book. Every woman, no matter their circumstance, can rise up and achieve her dreams. It is a wonderful read.
Have a great day.
Beth
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