2009

Ohioana Book Award Winner

The Ohioana Awards began in 1942, with James B. “Scotty” Reston, Walter Havighurst, and Willard M. Kiplinger as the first recipients. In addition to the book awards, the library sponsors six other awards, including citations in a various fields, a editorial excellence award for an Ohio based journal or magazine, the Walter Rumsey Marvin Grant for a young (30 years of age or younger) unpublished author, the Robert Fox Awards for Young Writers, and the Ohioana Pegasus and Career Awards.
 
The mission of the Ohioana Library, established in 1929 by First Lady Martha Kinney Cooper, is to recognize and encourage the creative accomplishments of Ohioans; preserve and expand a permanent collection of books, sheet music, manuscripts, and other materials by Ohioans and about Ohio; and disseminate information about the work of Ohio writers, musicians and other artists to researchers, schools and the general public. Individuals can visit the library at 274 E. First Ave., Columbus, OH, or online at www.ohioana.org.

 KIRKUS REVIEWS
(STARRED REVIEW)

A JUNIOR LIBRARY
     GUILD SELECTION      

BARNES & NOBLE 
DISCOVER GREAT NEW WRITERS PICK

B&N Booksellers found debut author Amjed Qamar to be one of fifteen great new writers worth discovering for Fall 2008!

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ABOUT THE BOOK

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Nazia cannot let her family starve, but can she sacrifice her future?

Nazia is an average, modern-day fourteen-year-old Pakistani girl.  She attends school, she hangs out with friends, and she’s getting ready for an arranged marriage. When her father is injured at work, the family suddenly find themselves without money for rent or food, and Nazia is forced to drop out of school to become a maid.  As Nazia finds herself growing up much too quickly, the lessons of hardship that seem unbearable turn out to be a lot more liberating than she ever imagined.

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Reader Reviews:

"...Nazia is my hero. I am going to read this book out loud to my girls.  Honestly, I couldn't put this book down.  I love her character. I felt so sorry for her, happy for her, proud of her, sad for her.... I want the sequel!  Is she for real?  I love this girl.  I am so
proud of her for being the strong girl she became throughout the book.  She was her mother's daughter, her own person.  I loved how dutiful she was but also became her own person.  I am also so interested in Pakistani culture and how it is somewhat like American in some ways.  The women I mean, we all are suffering the same.  Men are the same in many cultures and religions.  Very interesting..."
I want a sequel. 
--Martha

"...I thought it is well written. I was so involved in the characters...."
--Hena

"Love a story that can vividly take you on location? This book will completely envelope every sense, to the point that you can smell the hint of mustard oil, feel the scorching sun of Karachi, Pakistan. This story completely pulls you into the life of Nazia and her family. An excellent read! "   
--M. Elkins (Amazon)