Gr 8 Up-Teenager Anahita, a nomad living in early-20th-century Persia, has been promised to the khan, or chief, of her tribe. This man, whose three previous wives have mysteriously died, is considerably older than she is, and she wants nothing to do with him. She convinces her father to let her choose her own husband by having potential mates solve a riddle that she has woven into her wedding carpet. Doing so goes against Muslim principles and causes controversy within the tribe, and trouble for them, as the khan exacts his revenge by taking away their migratory and water rights. Despite these circumstances, Anahita's father agrees to continue with the competition. The main contenders-the khan, a schoolteacher, a shepherd, and a prince-all play an important role in Anahita's life. She finds it difficult to go through with the contest, only knowing whom she does not want to marry, but an unexpected twist forces her to choose. This is an engrossing story that weaves in Persian culture, history, and surroundings, and portrays the life of a unique young woman and her quest for love. A Farsi glossary and a brief history of the time period are included.-Shannon Seglin, Chantilly Regional Library, Fairfax County, VA Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information