Critical Praise

"After reading Tiny Dancer, one cannot help but be in awe of the human spirit. And it is a story of profound transformation, not merely physical, but that of the heart."

——Khaled Hosseini, The Kite Runner

"Although this book is ostensibly about Zubaida, it is most interesting and affecting when Flacco writes about the girl's benefactors, the men and women who put aside personal concerns for someone they barely knew. The topic could easily have generated a book maudlin in the extreme, but the author reins in the sap. Any emotional response from the reader is honestly earned, the product of a genuinely moving story. Similarly, the events of September 11, 2001, play a role in the book, but the author doesn't let that larger context overshadow the small, personal story he is telling. Zubaida already has received plenty of newspaper coverage, so expect some demand for a book-length version of her story."

——David Pitt, Booklist Review

"...Flacco's depiction of Zubaida's culture shock is remarkable. Flacco's empathy and ability to tell Zubaida's story like he's inside her head makes for an engrossing, feel-good read."

——Publisher's Weekly

"From the first paragraph, we were mesmerized by Zubaida's experience. It is a compelling journey that stretches across the barriers of religion, nationality and politics to tell a tale of bravery and fierce determination. Quite simply, it is the most compelling, inspirational and triumphant story we've ever read."

——Jerry and Linda Bruckheimer -- Jerry Bruckheimer Films