Rating: 
Summary: Daughter of poor family outsmarts her rich uncle and his son
Review: This book retells a traditional Arab folktale about how a woman helps her poor family to prosperity and revenge themselves on her rich uncle who scorned them. Not only does this book relate a great story that many of us haven't heard, it also gives a clear and colorful picture of the ancient Arabian culture. The characters are believable and easily likable and the story proceeds quickly, making this an excellent choice for middle school readers and up. I especially recommend this book for young women, because the way the main character Buran believes in herself and takes on a whole society is quite inspiring. If you have read this book and enjoyed it, may I also suggest you check out these stories?
"Beauty" by Robin McKinley
"Dragon's Blood" by Jane Yolen
"The Blue Sword" by Robin McKinley
Rating:
Summary: A truly inspirational story
Review: This book tells the story of a young woman with six sisters. Her rich uncle has seven sons and is considered blessed, while her father, a poor man with seven daughters is considered cursed. One of the daughters dresses as a man and makes a fortune as a merchant. I've read this book innumerable times and each time found it better than the last. As the only daughter in a family of six children, I took the story to heart the first time I read it and the main character became my personal heroine. She makes herself look like a man to succeed in a man's world, but she never loses sight of feminity. She is able to overcome the subservient role which is expected of women in her culture with poise. It is a truly inspirational story for any young girl to read.
Rating:
Summary: Another strong female character!
Review: This book was recommended by a teenage friend and I found myself inhaling it! Taken from a traditional Iraqui folktale, we meet Buran, the fourth daughter out of seven of a poor merchant. Her braggart uncle has seven sons: which he lords over Buran's family constantly. Buran, a favorite of her father, hatches an idea to dress like a man and open a store in a larger city, Tyre. After a near-tragedy in the family, he agrees. Off she goes and along the way learns lessons about perseverence, determination, and good business from an unlikely source. Buran is tenacious in seeking out her goal: to provide for her family. Her strong nature and unselfish manner makes her an interesting character for girls -- for those interested in a little romance and wonder how Muslim girls go about getting their prince...the story conveniently switches to his story in the second section of the book. Mahmud is a merchant prince who longs for a friend. Though he has two close friends, they both want from him and Mahmud wants a friend who asks for nothing. He finds it in a young clever merchant named Narsi. Mahmud and Narsi enjoy walks and backgammon -- in one another they find common ground. However, their unusual friendship attracts jealousy from Mahmud's previous friends and Mahmud is tricked in testing Narsi for being a boy or a girl. Narsi disappears before the third test which would be impossible for her to hide her sex...and it distresses Mahmud who realizes too late he was set up and that his heart desire -- his life desire -- has just slipped away. In the third section of the book, Buran regretfully leaves Mahmud to return home only to discover an opportunity to humble her seven male cousins -- all of whom have turned out to not be the successful businessmen her bragged about but wasteful young men. In turn, she tricks them into putting a tattoo'd "B" on their chest. She triumphantly returns to her family, though her heart longs for Mahmud...who she believes will hate her if discovering her secret. Will true love prevail? The story is full of color and introduces a little-understood culture. Cohen subtly introduces the Iraqui culture, their method of trading, and the manners of family. Written in 1983 before the current conflict, the book would be excellent to those curious of the people and places we see on the news and could possibly be used a centerpiece on middle-eastern culture.
Rating:
Summary: Another strong female character!
Review: This book was recommended by a teenage friend and I found myself inhaling it! Taken from a traditional Iraqui folktale, we meet Buran, the fourth daughter out of seven of a poor merchant. Her braggart uncle has seven sons: which he lords over Buran's family constantly. Buran, a favorite of her father, hatches an idea to dress like a man and open a store in a larger city, Tyre. After a near-tragedy in the family, he agrees. Off she goes and along the way learns lessons about perseverence, determination, and good business from an unlikely source. Buran is tenacious in seeking out her goal: to provide for her family. Her strong nature and unselfish manner makes her an interesting character for girls -- for those interested in a little romance and wonder how Muslim girls go about getting their prince...the story conveniently switches to his story in the second section of the book. Mahmud is a merchant prince who longs for a friend. Though he has two close friends, they both want from him and Mahmud wants a friend who asks for nothing. He finds it in a young clever merchant named Narsi. Mahmud and Narsi enjoy walks and backgammon -- in one another they find common ground. However, their unusual friendship attracts jealousy from Mahmud's previous friends and Mahmud is tricked in testing Narsi for being a boy or a girl. Narsi disappears before the third test which would be impossible for her to hide her sex...and it distresses Mahmud who realizes too late he was set up and that his heart desire -- his life desire -- has just slipped away. In the third section of the book, Buran regretfully leaves Mahmud to return home only to discover an opportunity to humble her seven male cousins -- all of whom have turned out to not be the successful businessmen her bragged about but wasteful young men. In turn, she tricks them into putting a tattoo'd "B" on their chest. She triumphantly returns to her family, though her heart longs for Mahmud...who she believes will hate her if discovering her secret. Will true love prevail? The story is full of color and introduces a little-understood culture. Cohen subtly introduces the Iraqui culture, their method of trading, and the manners of family. Written in 1983 before the current conflict, the book would be excellent to those curious of the people and places we see on the news and could possibly be used a centerpiece on middle-eastern culture.
Rating:
Summary: I lovedd itt !! Read now dude !!
Review: This enchanting book is about a girl from a poor family named Buran. Buran is very determined to earn her family money, so she travels off to foreign lands to earn money disguised as a man. There she meets three boys, one who is a prince, and eager for friendship. Buran befriends all three, but especially connects with the prince. The prince reveals a lot of deep stuff to Buran, except he thinks she is a man. Buran discovers herself falling in love. Will this princess get the prince afte all? Is she successful and does she pay off her debts? What does the prince's friends say? OHHH READDD ITT !
Rating:
Summary: A Great Book!
Review: This is a great book! If you are looking for a good book to read this is it! You will love this exciting tale of sadness and happiness. I definitely recommend this book!
Rating:
Summary: Seven Stars and Seven thumbs
Review: This is my favorite book. It has such good writing, and it makes me feel like I'm part of the book, watching all the events as they happen. It is about the beautiful daughter of a merchant named Buran living in Baghdad. Her father has seven daughters, and is considered to be cursed, and can barely make enough money to support his family. Her extraordinarily rich uncle has seven sons, and is considered to be extremely blessed. Her uncle is very greedy and never shares with his brother. Instead he comes everyday to boast about his success and laughs at the idea that one of his sons might marry Buran or one of her six sisters. Her family begins to get desparate. So desparate, in fact, that Buran's father finally argees to her greatest dream. Buran will dress as a boy and travel to Tyre, where she will make her fortune as a merchant. She does not give up hope even when luck is not on her side. And she succeeds more than she could have possibly imagined. After her newforund success, Buran hers the prince of Tyre, Mahmud al-amir. The two become good friends. But to Buran, he is not only her greatest friend, but her truest love. But she knows Mahmud will hate having been deceived when he discovers her deepest secret. For indeed, he does have a suspision of it. So he tests her, trying to see if she is a man or a woman. When Buran realizes she is being tested, she fleas with a heavy heart back to Baghdad. What she does not know was that even after Mahmud discovers her secret, he does not hate her. In fact, he learns to admit what his heart knew all along....
Rating:
Summary: Seven Daughters and Seven Sons
Review: This is my favorite book. It has such good writing, and it makes me feel like I'm part of the book, watching all the events as they happen. It is about the beautiful daughter of a merchant named Buran living in Baghdad. Her father has seven daughters, and is considered to be cursed, and can barely make enough money to support his family. Her extraordinarily rich uncle has seven sons, and is considered to be extremely blessed. Her uncle is very greedy and never shares with his brother. Instead he comes everyday to boast about his success and laughs at the idea that one of his sons might marry Buran or one of her six sisters. Her family begins to get desparate. So desparate, in fact, that Buran's father finally argees to her greatest dream. Buran will dress as a boy and travel to Tyre, where she will make her fortune as a merchant. She does not give up hope even when luck is not on her side. And she succeeds more than she could have possibly imagined. After her newforund success, Buran hers the prince of Tyre, Mahmud al-amir. The two become good friends. But to Buran, he is not only her greatest friend, but her truest love. But she knows Mahmud will hate having been deceived when he discovers her deepest secret. For indeed, he does have a suspision of it. So he tests her, trying to see if she is a man or a woman. When Buran realizes she is being tested, she fleas with a heavy heart back to Baghdad. What she does not know was that even after Mahmud discovers her secret, he does not hate her. In fact, he learns to admit what his heart knew all along....
Rating:
Summary: A young woman wants to help her father of 7 girls financialy
Review: This story was GREAT!It's so romantic.I couldn't even put it down until I was done with the book.Afterwards,I read it again just to keep the romance fresh in my mind.I recommend this book to anyone who wants a folk romance to read.
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Summary: Best book we have read this school year!
Review: Well, actually it is a tie betweeen this and the Shadow Spinner for the best. Better to read the Shadow Spinner by by Susan Fletcher before this book. Both are great for all readers and especially wonderful for young women. Both have intelligent strong and creative young women featured in them! Fantastic adventure!
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