One More Mountain Book Review: A Powerful Story of Family and Hope

What is One More Mountain by Deborah Ellis about?

One More Mountain is an emotional continuation of Parvana’s journey. It is set in Afghanistan during the Taliban’s return to power. This story is about courage, sacrifices, friendship, family and never giving up hope.

Discover our Review and Summary of One More Mountain by Deborah Ellis

“The Taliban have taken Kabul. They’ve got the whole country under their tyrannical rule. They’re back.”

It is the year 2021. It’s been 19 years since the Taliban left, and the school of Green Valley is a safe place for girls and women, providing education, friendship and residence. Shauzia becomes a police officer, and Parvana is now a teacher. Times are changing, and there is always high spirits in the school.

Rafi, the son of Parvana and Asif, helps at the shelter and provides resources to those who need them. His dream is to become a ballet dancer, and he has just got a scholarship at a world-renowned Ballet School for Boys in New York. At this time another surprise lay waiting for the family…

Maryam has just arrived from her world tour – she is now a famous pop star – to reunite with the family and  take Rafi to his new school in the USA. Asif leaves for the airport with Rafi and Maryam, which is followed by many teary-eyed goodbyes.

When they leave, everything seems to be going smoothly until the Taliban return. In these circumstances, the girls must stay calm and not reveal anything when the Taliban enter the school.

They face many challenges along the way, while Rafi realizes the importance of his family. With the Taliban advancing on them, will they be able to catch a flight out of this nightmare, or will they be stuck there forever?

My favourite character is Rafi, because he cares a lot for his family and realizes that, whatever happens to him, they always come first.

My favourite part was when Rafi, Maryam and Asif were trying to get into the airport, and Rafi interacted with the American guard to try to get through the gate. During their conversation, Rafi asked what the best thing about Afghanistan was, and she “All the people here are very kind.” Those words just showed that when a more powerful force crumbles a city, what is left is its people’s true colours.

Is One More Mountain Worth Reading?

It is the last book in a series of five The Breadwinner, Parvana’s Journey, Mud City, My Name is Parvana and One More Mountain, and it was an excellent conclusion to the series – following Parvana and Shauzia’s lives in Afghanistan. Their journey through the reign of the Taliban and how they overcome loss and carry on, learning to do so since their childhood.

The emotions this book aroused in me made me feel excited for Maryam and Rafi, but I also turned each page with anticipation, wondering whether Shauzia and the girls would ever find shelter.

I think this book is called One More Mountain because, throughout the story, the characters experience many losses of loved ones, and this is when they understand the importance of carrying on and standing up for their rights and keep on living their lives every time, even when the Taliban try to break them.

When I closed the final page of this book, a surge of emotions hit me. I felt like I had experienced the ups and downs alongside Parvana throughout her life – from first cutting her hair to look like a boy, to school days at Leila’s Academy of Hope, and finally building a loving family with the rest of their small but powerful community.

Overall, I rate this book as 5/5 and recommend it to everyone.

If you liked One More Mountain, try these other thought-provoking reads:

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini, a story of a woman’s life in Afghanistan, filled with unimaginable abuse and hardship.

I Am Malala: An inspiring true story about education, cultural pressure, and the strength of a young girl standing up for what is right.

The Diary of a Young Girl -Anne Frank: A powerful childhood perspective showing emotional resilience, hardship, and historical reality.

Once Series by Morris Gleitzman: Once | Then | Now | After | Soon | Maybe | Always. Each book follows Felix at different stages of his life.

The Line They Drew Through Us by Hiba Noor Khan, a powerful and emotional story set during the Partition of India.

Shrapnel Boys by Jenny Pearson, a powerful World War 2 historical fiction set during the London Blitz.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, an emotional story from a child’s perspective in a controlled/harsh society.

Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo, which follows a young soldier reflecting on love, family & harsh realities of World War I.