Afghanistan after the Taliban - a country liberated yet simultaneously occupied by the Americans. With their school for girls, Parvana, her mother, and a few other women face resistance from the local men. The threats increase. When Parvana's mother is kidnapped and killed, the remaining children decide to flee. They narrowly escape before the Americans bomb the school. Parvana has to go back one more time because she forgot her father's bag. She is arrested and interrogated by the Americans and, because she remains silent, is classified as a terrorist. It is only a former teacher, Mrs. Weera, who manages to rescue Parvana.