Brave with Beauty : A Story of Afghanistan

Words By: Maxine Rose Schur | Art By: Patricia Dewitt-Grush, Robin Dewitt, Golsa Yaghoobi

The rich history of medieval Afghanistan through the story of one visionary queen

Seven centuries ago, when the great caravans journeyed to the edges of the world, there lived a girl who loved all things of beauty. Her name was Goharshad.

As a girl, Goharshad imagined the world to be a breathtaking place fueled by art and poetry. Upon marrying a powerful king, Queen Goharshad bravely spearheaded the building of mosques and universities, ushering in a renaissance of art and architecture in her time. Though most of her creations have fallen prey to the ravages of time and war, her memory continues to inspire generations of changemakers. This story is a tribute to a talented, generous, and brave woman whose achievements are a call to future leaders to make the world a more beautiful place.

A picture book biography that shines a spotlight on the benevolent Queen Goharshad, a powerful monarch and patron of the arts from 15th-century Khorasan, a vast kingdom spanning present-day Afghanistan and Iran.


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A Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People (2020) 

A Northern California Book Award Winner for Children’s Literature: Younger Readers (2020)

"A pleasant, romanticized introduction to an impressive person, places, and time for young readers beginning to like stories about real people."
—School Library Journal

"Educational, inspirational, and highly recommended especially for school and public library nonfiction picture book collections."
—Midwest Book Review


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Themes:
Historical Fiction, Biography, Coming of Age, Afghan War, Asia, Strong Female Protagonist, Women's Studies, World History, Picture Book for Older Readers