Growing up in a small town north of Kabul in Afghanistan, Razia dreams of going to school, just as two of her brothers do. Her hopes soar when she learns that a new school for girls is being built in her town, and her grandfather agrees she should go to school. But most of the men in her family don't think that girls need an education. They want Razia to work in the family's orchard. Razia knows there's nothing she can do, but her curiosity takes her to the school once it is built and she meets the teacher, whose name is also Razia. The teacher pays a visit to Razia's home and convinces Razia's family to let her attend school. Although the story is fictional, the teacher is based on Razia Jan, a real person, and an afterword gives more information about this fascinating woman committed to educating girls. The illustrations, which combine painting and photo collage, use a style reminiscent of the work of Patricia Polacco. (Ages 6-9)

Razia dreams of getting an education, but in her small village in Afghanistan, girls haven't been allowed to attend school for many years. When a new girls' school opens in the village, a determined Razia must convince her father and oldest brother that educating her would be best for her, their family and their community. Razia's Ray of Hope is the latest inspiring story from the?CitizenKid??collection. It is based on the true stories of the?students of the Zabuli Education Center for Girls just outside?of Kabul, founded by a generous and resourceful woman named?Razia Jan, a CNN hero, who also appears in the story.