“Education is the key to positive, peaceful change in the world.”
Inspiring true story based on a brave girl in Afghanistan who desperately wants an education and must convince the men in her family to allow her to attend school.
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Malala Yousafzai & Razia Jan: Heroes for girls’ education
Razia Jan, one of CNN’s 2012 Top 10 Heroes of the Year, founded the Zabuli Education Center in the middle of seven villages outside of Kabul, Afghanistan that never had a girl’s school before.
Jan, an Afghan native lived in the United States where she worked as a tailor and raised her son. In 2008, she made the decision to give up her comfortable life and moved back to Afghanistan to improve the lives of women and children through education.
At a fundraiser for the school, I heard Razia Jan recount story after story of the challenges girls who want an education face. I knew right then that I needed to share these stories with grown-ups and kids living in developed countries who, understandably, take education for granted.
Elizabeth Suneby &
Khaled Hosseini
I am honored that the Khaled Hosseini Foundation has selected my book for for elementary and middle schools, while Khaled’s books are used in high schools.
Praise & Reviews
“Razia’s yearning for school is described in rich, context-specific language.”
—BOOKLIST
“Purposeful in a positive way, this imaginatively illustrated book should open readers’ eyes to issues facing children who live in very different circumstances.”
—KIRKUS
“…Liz captivated her audience with an interactive program…The students left inspired and empowered.”
–THE "IN" LIBRARIAN
“Thank you for sharing this terrific story with us.”
–AUTHOR VISIT SLIDESHOW, LIBRARIAN/MEDIA SPECIALIST
“Our students were studying how students around the world learn…Razia’s Ray of Hope offers an opportunity for them to learn about girls in Afghanistan.”
—HOUSTON NBC TV
“The newest title in the vital CitizenKids series — books that inform children about the world and inspire them to be better global citizens—is also quite possibly the best thus far.”
—SMITHSONIAN
“Imparts the realization that not every kid in the world can take education for granted…[The book] brings out the prejudices and cultural values of a place far removed from America, but one which is constantly in the news.”
—COLOR MAGAZINE
Students Inspired to Make a Difference
—COMMUNITY ADVOCATE
"A New Perspective on Back to School"
—CITIZENKID BLOG
“This inspirational story is as beautifully illustrated as it is told. It is vital that young readers have stories like this one to show them that positive change is possible in the world, and that believing in yourself is the first step.”
—MARY CHAPIN CARPENTER, MULTI-PLATINUM GRAMMY WINNING RECORDING ARTIST AND SONGWRITER
“Razia’s Ray of Hope, a great end-of-the-summer read, will get anyone fired-up about going back to school.”
—LISA LESLIE HENDERSON, CO-AUTHOR EVERYWHERE: COMPREHENSIVE DIGITAL STRATEGY FOR THE SOCIAL MEDIA ERA
“Writer tells story of struggle to start girls’ school in Afghanistan.”
—WICKED LOCAL
Responsibility in action.
—CARLISLE PUBLIC SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT
Photos: CNN (left) and Karen Wong (right)
Take a video tour of Razia's school:
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Khaled Hosseini Foundation adopts Razia’s Ray of Hope. Free curriculum for elementary and middle grade students:
Awards Won
Social Justice Literature Award
—International Reading Association
Best Children’s Books of the Year
—Bank Street College
Outstanding International Book
—Cooperative Children's Book Center
Outstanding International Book
—United States Board on Books for Young People
White Raven Recommended Book
—International Youth Library
Children’s Book Award
—Jane Addams Peace Association
South Asia Book Award
—South Asia National Outreach Consortium
Picture Book Award
—Middle East Outreach Council
Middle Readers Shortlist