The house of djinn

It has been ten years since Shabanu staged her death to secure the safety of her daughter, Mumtaz, from her husband's murderous brother. Mumtaz has been raised by her father's family with the education and security her mother desired for her, but with little understanding and love. Only her American cousin Jameel, her closest confidant and friend, and the beloved family patriarch, Baba, understand the pain of her loneliness. When Baba unexpectedly dies, Jameel's succession as the Amirzai tribal leader and the arrangement of his marriage to Mumtaz are revealed, causing both to question whether fulfilling their duty to the family is worth giving up their dreams for the future.

A commanding sequel to the novels Shabanu: Daughter of the Wind and Haveli , The House of Djinn stands on its own. Suzanne Fisher Staples returns to modern-day Pakistan to reexamine the juxtaposition of traditional Islamic values with modern ideals of love.
The House of Djinn is a 2009 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.

From The House of Djinn Selma led her to the doorway of the beautiful hand-carved marble summer pavilion that stood in the center of the courtyard, and ducked through the entry first. Mumtaz followed, and again her eyes had to adjust. A small figure stood in the middle of the spacious pavilion lit by the sun filtered through the intricate latticework of the screens that formed the walls. Mumtaz took two steps forward. "My Mumtaz," said Shabanu and held her arms open. Mumtaz turned her head toward Selma, not quite believing her eyes and ears. "Is it my mother?" she asked Selma, who nodded, her face opening in an encouraging smile. Mumtaz looked back toward her mother in disbelief, unable to move. For a moment she just stared. "I've waited so long to see you," said Shabanu, moving toward her daughter. "I couldn't tell you I was here, and all the while I was living just to see you again." Mumtaz couldn't find her voice and her feet felt planted in the stone floor. Shabanu approached her slowly and put her arms around Mumtaz. "I've dreamed of holding you every minute since the last time," Shabanu said. "I don't understand!" Mumtaz said, unaware that tears streamed down her face. She stood rigidly and Shabanu continued to hold her. "You've been here all this time?" Mumtaz asked. "And you let me believe you were dead?" Excerpted from The House of Djinn by Suzanne Fisher Staples All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.