Music of the Mountains

Music of the Mountains Written by Sabrina Shah. Illustrated by Manal Mirza. (Barefoot Books, 2025) Join Roohi, a young girl in a contemporary Pashtun village in rural Pakistan, as she discovers the power of music, family, and cultural tradition through her love of the rabab, a beloved stringed instrument of the Pashtun people. Surrounded by the beauty of mountain landscapes and the rhythms of daily life, Roohi learns that music can connect generations, preserve stories, and express the spirit of a community. Shah’s lyrical storytelling and informative back matter introduce readers to Pakistani music, Pashtun culture, and Eid celebrations, while Mirza’s richly detailed illustrations bring warmth, movement, and cultural authenticity to every page. Together, the text and artwork create an engaging work of contemporary fiction that celebrates perseverance, intergenerational bonds, and the enduring role of artistic traditions in shaping identity and belonging.