Kabul Beauty School: An American
Woman Goes Behind the Veil
by Deborah Rodriguez & Kristin Ohlson

    KABUL BEAUTY SCHOOL by Deborah Rodriguez & Kristin Ohlson
    Category:  Non-Fiction
    Age Recommendation:  Grades 9+
    Release Date:  12/18/07
    Publisher:  Random House
    Reviewed by:  Steph
    Rating:  5 Stars


    Deborah Rodriguez is a beautician from Michigan who went over to Afghanistan after September 11th to help in
    any way she could. She quickly fell in love with the country and wanted to reestablish the Afghan beauticians who
    went out of existence when the Taliban took over. Along with help from others, she opened a beauty school where
    she trained Afghan women to become beauticians who could then open up their own beauty salons.

    This amazing true story is heartwarming yet incredibly sad at the same time. The reader learns the personal and
    tragic story of the many Afghan women that Rodriguez befriends. We learn of their arranged marriages to men
    twice their age, abusive husbands who will divorce them if the women can't bear a son, and monetary struggles and
    desperate attempts to find that money. It is also wonderful to read about these same women becoming independent
    and happy due to their education from the beauty school and their friendship with Ms. Rodriguez.

    This book is truly inspiring and educational. The reader learns about many customs and misconceptions about
    Afghanistan and its people through the real life experiences of Rodriguez. Her desire to help the kind Afghan
    people can inspire anyone to do the same.

    KABUL BEAUTY SCHOOL is sure to please all readers who are open to learning about a foreign people, their
    customs, and an American woman who felt the need to dedicate her life to those less fortunate.