The Kite Runner

Hosseini, K. (2003). The Kite Runner. NY: Riverhead Books. ISBN: 9781573222457.

Plot Summary:

Amir and Hassan grow up together as best friends in Kabul, even though Amir is of a ruling class and Hassan is a Hazzara servant. They suffer the bullying and abuse by other boys in their turbulent region and Hassan is raped by an older boy who later becomes part of the Taliban. Amir secretly witnesses the violence but hides his knowledge of the event. He shuns Hassan until their friendship is torn apart, despite Hassan’s loyalty to Amir. When Amir and his father flee Afghanistan, Hassan is left behind. As a married adult in America, Amir’s guilt and love for his friend drive him to right some of his past wrongs by rescuing Hassan’s son and giving him a happy life.

Critical Evaluation: This is a powerful and memorable book that is beautifully written. The characters are well developed and their relationships sensitively portrayed. It can also be a disturbing book that may upset younger teens. The thrust of the book explores the dimensions of enduring friendship, the depths of cruelty, and the seduction of power. It's story conveys the effects of betrayal, the destructive effects of war and more significantly, the value of loyalty and love. The Kite Runner is an elluminating and mesmerizing tale.

Reader’s Annotation:

During the upheaval of his beloved country, Amir makes a fateful mistake that haunts him for the rest of his life. He must make right what he has done wrong to his best friend, even if it means risking everything and entering the most dangerous place of his childhood memory.

Information About the Author:

The Kite Runner has won several awards and recognitions since its release in 2003. It has been translated into several language and was made into a movie in 2007. Khaled Hosseini is a native of Kabul. His father was a diplomat and his mother was a schoolteacher. They relocated to France for a time but returned to Afghanistan after a communist coup. Hosseini’s family was granted asylum in the United States and he studied medicine at the University of San Diego. The Kite Runner was his first book and due to its success, he has bee named a goodwill envoy to the United Nations Refugee Agency. He currently lives in Northern California.

Genre:

Teen Issues: Death and Deadly Disease, Racism, Sexual Abuse, Physical and Emotional Abuse, Outsiders

Adventure: War

Historical Fiction: Middle East (1970-1990)

Multicultural Fiction: Multiple Cultures and Culture Clash

Curriculum Ties: English class, Social Studies class, History Class, Government class, Humanities class, Book clubs

Booktalking Ideas:

• Why is Amir's father so protective of Hassan and his father?

• What this books teaches us about Afghanistan, friendship and forgiveness

• Why did Amir act so hatefully toward Hassan after the rape?

• Does Amir redeem himself by the end of the story?

• The effective/noneffective use of flashbacks in telling this story

Reading Level/Interest Age: Grades 16 - adult

Challenge Issues/Defenses:

Potential Challenges:

• Graphic depiction of rape

• Depictions of violence

• Depictions of child trafficking for sexual purposes

• Adult language

• Depictions of drinking and smoking

Defense Strategy:

• Provide our Collection Development Policy (which includes Young Adult scope): http://ww2.cityofpasadena.net/library/collection.asp

• Refer to awards won by this book from reputable organizations:

http://us.penguingroup.com/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,9781594480003,00.html

• Provide book reviews by literary journals and media publications: http://www.bookbrowse.com/reviews/index.cfm?book_number=1232

• Provide book reviews by actual readers on a publicly accessible website:

http://www.amazon.com/Kite-Runner-Khaled-Hosseini/dp/1594480001

• Provide book club discussion questions used to address issues and book content:

http://bestsellers.about.com/od/bookclubquestions/a/thekiterunner_q.htm

• Provide advisory reviews for parents about the movie version’s content:

http://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/Kite-Runner.html

Why This Book Was Included: I first heard about this book when it was chosen as our library’s “One City, One Story” selection a few years ago. It was great then and it was great when I read it again this term. The movie version was faithful to the novel’s content and is a worthwhile work as well. The content is more appropriate for older teens and I highly recommend it as a cross-over title.