Nasreen's Secret School: A True Story from Afghanistan



Last updated Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Author: Jeanette Winter
Date of Publication: 2009
ISBN: 1416994378
Grade Level: 2nd    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Feb. 2026

Synopsis: Young Nasreen has not spoken a word to anyone since her parents disappeared.

In despair, her grandmother risks everything to enroll Nasreen in a secret school for girls. Will a devoted teacher, a new friend, and the worlds she discovers in books be enough to draw Nasreen out of her shell of sadness?

Note to readers:
•  Since this book is based on a true story, be prepared to explain and give context for war, grief, and religious and political differences.

Discussion topics for before reading:
•  Do you enjoy going to school?
•  What's your favorite subject in school?
•  What is one new thing that you learned in school this week?

Vocabulary:
•  Frantic - Wild or distraught with fear, anxiety, or other emotion
•  Suspicion - a feeling or thought that something is possible likely or true
•  Outwitting - deceiving or defeating by greater ingenuity
•  Knowledge - information, understanding, or skill that you get from experience or education

Discussion topics for during/after reading:
•  If Nasreen were here in person, what questions would you ask her?
•  What differences did you notice about Nasreen's school that is different from your school?
•  Do you think Nasreen is brave to go to that secret girl's school? Why?

Craft ideas:
•  Build a school or house using just 2 sheets of construction paper, a pencil, scissors, glue sticks and colored pencils.
Instructions:
1. Draw the outline of a house with 4 panels
2. Draw in windows and a door
3. Cut out the house and fold the house vertically
4. Cut an 'X' onto the 2nd sheet of paper
5. Glue the pieces of the 'X' you cut to the base of the house

Special activities:
•  "Name an animal, place or thing" game. Each player is given a letter and they need to come up with an animal, place or thing that starts with that letter in one minute. Example: Kid #1 receives the letter A. She comes up with Aardvark. Kid #2 receives the letter B. He comes up with Berkeley. Kid #3 gets the letter C. She comes up with Compton.

*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions. You can use them, but you don't have to use them. You can expand upon them, or add your own twist. Remember, though, that the focus of your time should not be on the development and execution of a craft; the focus should be on the read-aloud and the enjoyment of the book!