Summary

Chapter 1: In Court

April 2, 2008

People were bustling around in the courthouse yard. Some men were dressed in western style suits and ties; others were dressed in zannas, the traditional garb of northern Yemen. Women were shouting and weeping and seemed furious. Nujood’s head was spinning. She could catch only a few angry words such as “childcare, justice, human rights.” A large man in a turban in the courthouse was carrying documents in a plastic bag telling everyone that his land was stolen from him and he intended to get it back.

The chaotic atmosphere made Nujood think that it was probably like Al-Qa-Square where out-of-work laborers go to commiserate and vie for day jobs. Aba, her father, had often talked about it. After first prayers, it was every man for himself in snagging the first job announced. Nujood was only ten years...