Enduring Freedom

By: Trent Reedy, Jawad Arash

Narrated by: Wali Habib, Jay Aaseng

September 11, 2001

Two young men on opposite sides of the world

One war that will change their lives forever

Baheer, a studious Afghan teen, sees his family’s life turned upside down when they lose their livelihood as war rocks the country.

A world away, Joe, a young American army private, has to put aside his dreams of becoming a journalist when he’s shipped out to Afghanistan.

When Joe’s unit arrives in Baheer’s town, Baheer is wary of the Americans, but sees an opportunity: Not only can he practice his English with the soldiers, his family can make money delivering their supplies. At first, Joe doesn’t trust Baheer, or any of the locals, but Baheer keeps showing up. As Joe and Baheer get to know each other, to see each other as individuals, they realize they have a lot more in common than they ever could have realized. But can they get past the deep differences in their lives and beliefs to become true friends and allies?

Enduring Freedom is a moving and enlightening novel about how ignorance can tear us apart and how education and understanding can bring us back together.

"Through Baheer, readers ages 12 and older will gain some understanding of life under the Taliban; of the concussive shock of 9/11 as felt in Central Asia; of Afghans’ varied responses to the American invasion; and most of all the transformative promise of schooling. Through Joe, an aspiring journalist, readers experience not only the throb of post-9/11patriotism but also the tedium, camaraderie and sudden terrors of soldiery in a war zone."—The Wall Street Journal

©2021 Trent Reedy and Jawad Arash (P)2022 Algonquin Young Readers

Critic reviews

“Through Baheer, readers ages 12 and older will gain some understanding of life under the Taliban; of the concussive shock of 9/11 as felt in Central Asia; of Afghans’ varied responses to the American invasion; and most of all the transformative promise of schooling. Through Joe, an aspiring journalist, readers experience not only the throb of post-9/11 patriotism but also the tedium, camaraderie and sudden terrors of soldiery in a war zone.”—The Wall Street Journal

“This thoughtful portrait of friendship and the human side of war, based on the authors’ true story, proves engrossing.”—Publishers Weekly

“A touching tale of understanding and friendship . . . The message of education as a vehicle for progress and dismantling hatred is one that will strike a chord with readers.”—Kirkus Reviews

Amazing Book!

This was by far one of the most enjoyable/insightful books I have ever read!

Very important book at this time (Afghan disaster)

It is well written, easy and fluid to follow read.
Very informative as to what the Afghans actually thought of the Taliban before 9-11, and how they visualized Americans when they came. Russians had been cruel and they feared Americans would be too.

At first the impression was that Americans were inept and without manners, but gradually they realized they were there to help.

Most of the book involves a friendship that develops between a low ranking US soldier and a young man who is trying to learn English and gradually becomes an interpreter and great ally.

Our current betrayal is tragic not only for America but for those Afghanistan people who want freedom.

Please read.