Perfect for fans of Rita Williams-Garcia, Thanhha Lai, and Rebecca Stead, internationally bestselling author Nadia Hashimi’s first novel for young readers is a coming-of-age journey set in modern-day Afghanistan that explores life as a bacha posh—a preteen girl dressed as a boy.

Obayda’s family is in need of some good fortune, and her aunt has an idea to bring the family luck—dress Obayda, the youngest of four sisters, as a boy, a bacha posh.

Life in this in-between place is confusing, but once Obayda meets another bacha posh, everything changes. Their transformation won’t last forever, though—unless the two best friends can figure out a way to make it stick and make their newfound freedoms endure.

Nadia Hashimi’s first novel for adults, The Pearl That Broke Its Shell, was a bestseller that shares a bacha posh character with One Half from the East.

A Powerful Coming-of-Age Story: Ten-year-old Obayda must navigate a new identity and a world of unexpected freedom when she is transformed into a boy to change her family’s luck.
Exploring Cultural Traditions: A thoughtful look into the Afghan tradition of the bacha posh, where young girls are temporarily raised as boys, exploring the challenges and liberties that come with it.
Friendship and Identity: When Obayda meets another bacha posh, the two forge a powerful bond, sharing secrets and dreaming of a way to make their newfound independence last forever.
A Story of Resilience: Perfect for young readers, this emotional journey tackles themes of family hardship, loss, and the incredible strength it takes to find your own path.