Overview

Notable Social Studies Trade Book, awarded by National Council for the Social Studies and The Children's Book Council Gold Medal, Young Adult Fiction, Independent Press Awards Silver Medal, Teen Fiction, Benjamin Franklin Awards, Independent Book Publishers Association YA Fiction Book Award, Independent Book Publishers of New England Indie Editors Choice, Kirkus Reviews An American kid, in a place he doesn't understand. This multicultural thriller for YA and adult readers is about three families across two cultures. It's about the power of music, the impacts of extremism, an ancient true story - and taking the risk, even when it's big, of thinking for yourself. Luke blames his parents' divorce on his dad's obsession with finishing a book about a lost civilization in a dangerous part of Asia. But his father wants his son to understand, so during a school holiday he brings Luke to Peshawar, the legendary frontier city in northwest Pakistan. Luke refuses to learn anything about his dad's project; instead he's drawn into the strange, intriguing Old City, where a violent new extremism is on the rise. He's dazzled by a rebellious girl, Danisha, but they can't ever be seen together. He's recruited by her brother to assist the jihadis - but he also bonds with Yusuf, an Afghan refugee who knows what could happen. Then there are the musicians Luke befriends, and a warmhearted Sufi teacher who opens his eyes. This is an adventure book that's about something. Once you start reading, it will grip you till the end.

Full Product Details

9781578690169

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Reviews

Street of Storytellers is a storytelling delight, following the journey of a teenage American boy into the teeming bazaars of Pakistan and a world of musicians, refugees, scholars and the religious fanatics who will become the followers of Osama bin Laden. The story is rich in detail and suspense. Young Luke, resentful of his father's research project and unwilling to learn about the culture around him, ends up learning more than he could ever have expected. --David Moats, Pulitzer-prize winning journalist _______________________________ Street of Storytellers is a vivid and layered novel of family angst, clashing cultures, navigating friendships, first love, and wisdom versus extremism amid frightening political and religious tensions in 1984 Pakistan -- as told by Luke, a 15-year-old American who did not want to be there. Wilhelm skillfully weaves history into dramatic youth fiction that is both a personal story and a perspective on world events today. --Deborah Rodriguez, author of Kabul Beauty School and The Little Coffee Shop of Kabul ________________________________ An exciting adventure story of a young American boy in a historic but dangerous part of our world. --Timeri N. Murari, author of The Taliban Cricket Club ________________________________ Wilhelm, a former journalist who traveled to Pakistan to interview young people in the 1980s, offers an American teenager's perspective on a pivotal moment in modern world history. Main character Luke explores his own evolving thoughts about history, religion, friendship, family (and music) as he faces tough choices and harsh realities against a backdrop of growing tensions in Peshawar during the Afghan War. A complex and thought-provoking YA novel. -- S. S. Taylor, author of The Expeditioners series _________________________________ An entertaining, thoughtful look at a complicated historical, religious, artistic, and cultural crossroads. --Kirkus Reviews

Author Information

Doug Wilhelm is a full-time writer and editor in Weybridge, Vermont. His 16 published books for young readers includes ""The Revealers"" (FSG 2003, Macmillan/Square Fish '11), which has been the focus of reading-and-discussion projects in well over 1,000 middle schools and continues to be a perennial choice for grade-wide and all-school reads across the country. A production of the play version of The Revealers, by the National Children's Theatre of South Africa, was nominated for the 2015 Naledi Award-South Africa's top theatrical honor. Doug has visited over 100 schools across the U.S. His website, www.dougwilhelm.com, is a resource center for working with his novels.

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