The House of Djinn - (Shabanu) by Suzanne Fisher Staples (Paperback)

About the Book

A compelling conclusion to the trilogy that began with the Newbery Honor Book"Shabanu" and continued in "Haveli, The House of Djinn" explores the delicatebalance between freedom and tradition in modern-day Pakistan.

Book Synopsis

Mumtaz, daughter of Shabanu, has lived with her father's traditional Muslim family for 10 years, enduring the scorn of her auntie Leyla day in and day out. Her only protectors are her uncle Omar and Baba, patriarch of the Amirzai tribe, but even they would disown her if they knew she had a crush on a Hindu boy. The only person Mumtaz can confide in is her cousin Jameel. Unfortunately, Jameel lives with his parents in California and he's been out of touch since he fell in love with a Jewish girl.

When Baba dies unexpectedly, Mumtaz's world is thrown into chaos. Without Baba keeping order in the tribe, Mumtaz and Jameel find themselves thrust together in the middle of an ongoing power struggle--the same one that sent Shabanu into hiding a decade earlier.

A compelling conclusion to the trilogy that began with the Newbery Honor Book Shabanu and continued in Haveli, The House of Djinn explores the delicate balance between freedom and tradition in modern-day Pakistan.

Review Quotes

"Atmospheric and suspenseful...Western and Islamic ways clash, yet the author so thoroughly immerses readers in the setting that few will want to judge. Like most of Staples's fiction, this work significantly enlarges the reader's understanding of a complex society" --Starred, "Publishers Weekly" "Eloquently written...Staples skillfully draws readers into the complicated web of relationships in the fictional Amirzai family in this fascinating tale of the conflict between tribal tradition and modernization in contemporary Pakistan." --Starred, "Kirkus Reviews" "Splendidly drawn...moves along quickly and intensely with elements of intrigue and adventure, holding readers' attention and sympathies." "--School Library Journal" "Readers will ponder the questions about responsibility and freedom Staples raises in the intriguing marriage drama." "--Booklist""" "The skirmishes, intrigues, and loves of the colorful Pakistani/ American tribal family give this book the tenor of a short dynastic ep

"Atmospheric and suspensful...Western and Islamic ways clash, yet the author so thoroughly immerses readers in the setting that few will want to judge. Like most of Staples's fiction, this work significantly enlarges the reader's understanding of a complex society" --Starred, "Publishers Weekly" "Eloquently written...Staples skillfully draws readers into the complicated web of relationships in the fictional Amirzai family in this fascinating tale of the conflict between tribal tradition and modernization in contemporary Pakistan." --Starred, "Kirkus Reviews" "Splendidly drawn...moves along quickly and intensely with elements of intrigue and adventure, holding readers' attention and sympathies." "--School Library Journal" "Readers will ponder the questions about responsibity and freedom Staples raises in the intriguing marriage drama." "--Booklist"

"Readers will ponder the questions about responsibity and freedom Staples raises in the intriguing marriage drama." "--Booklist"

About the Author

SUZANNE FISHER STAPLES is an award-winning author whose novels for young adults include Dangerous Skies, Shiva's Fire, the Newbery Honor Book Shabanu, and its sequel, Haveli. Before writing books, she worked for many years as a UPI correspondent in Asia, with stints in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and India. She currently resides in Nicholson, Pennsylvania.