Author Deborah Ellis returns to the world of contemporary Afghanistan and her Breadwinner series in this story set in 2021. As U.S. forces prepare to withdraw and the Taliban regains its hold, teenage Damsa has run away from her wealthy family to escape a forced engagement. Found by Shauzia, a police officer, she’s taken to Green Valley, the refuge for women and girls Parvana runs with her husband, Asif, and 11-year-old son, Rafi. Rafi is about to leave for the United States with his aunt Maryam to attend a ballet school. When Asif takes them to the airport, they learn that all commercial flights have been cancelled; only military flights will be leaving. In the chaos of trying to get Rafi and Maryam on a military flight, Asif is killed. Rafi, who has always felt sheltered in ways both good and bad by his loving parents, finds himself alone and determined to return home. Meanwhile, when they learn the Taliban is headed to Green Valley, Parvana, Damsa, and the other women and girls flee. As frightening as things are, Damsa, who has always had others to do things for her, discovers just how capable she is as she cares for younger members of their group and helps navigate their journey toward safety. This riveting story, punctuated by moments of kindness and generosity as well as selfishness and cruelty, follows its wonderfully drawn characters to a new place of refuge. (Age 11 and older)