Music of the Mountains

4.3

0.0 (0)

579 0

Write Review Add to favorites

Author(s)

Sabrina Shah

Co-Authors / Illustrators

Manal Mirza

Publisher Name

Barefoot Books

Genre(s)

Age Range

Release Date

May 20, 2025

ISBN13

979-8888593660

ISBN10 or ASIN

Can Roohi find the courage and rhythm to play the rabab at her school's Eid concert?

"To play the music of the mountains, you must feel the rhythm, feel the beat of your people."

Roohi's most treasured time of the day is when she gets to listen to her grandfather play the rabab, the traditional stringed instrument of the Pashtun people. All she wants, more than anything in the world, is to be able to play songs full of rhythm like him. But even with lessons everyday, she sounds nothing like Neeka Baba's clap-de-clap-clap rhythm and beautiful melodies.

With Eid celebrations coming up, Roohi is supposed to play the rabab at a school concert, but Neeka Baba has fallen ill, and she must perform without his help. He tells her, "Play with the courage of those who came before you." Can Roohi draw on her ancestors' strength and share the melody in her heart at the Eid concert?

Explores the connections made possible by music and the transformative power of learning to play a traditional instrument.
Set in a contemporary Pashtun village in rural Pakistan.
End notes include more information about the rabab, Pakistani music, Pashtun culture, and Eid.

Editor review

1 review

Beautiful Introduction to Pakistani Music

June 20, 2025 (Updated: June 04, 2026)

Overall rating

4.3

Plot

4.0

Characters

4.0

Writing Style

4.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

5.0

Roohi loves listening to her grandfather play the rabab and wishes she could play just like him. Roohi has lessons every day, but she believes her playing sounds nothing like her grandfather’s rhythm and melodies. The Eid celebrations are coming up, and Roohi is supposed to play at her school concert. Unfortunately, Neeka Baba is ill, and she has to perform without his help. Will Roohi be able to draw on his strength and perform at the concert to share the melodies with those there?

What I Liked: The illustrations throughout this book do a great job of immersing you into the culture and sharing various aspects of Pakistani music with you. The relationship that Roohi has with Neeka Baba is well developed, and you feel her feelings the moment he disappears from the pages in the book. The language used throughout the book is easy for younger children to follow, and the story is also easy to follow. There are moments in which you can pause if you are reading aloud to allow for questions or comments from the children.

The closing of this book provides more information about the Rabab, and where to listen to Rabab music, as well as information about Roohi’s family, Eid, and the clothes that Roohi is wearing. It also provides a glossary for Pashto terms that are included throughout this book.

What Left me Wanting More: When Neeka Baba falls ill, it is unclear if he has passed away or is just in the hospital. This moment gets a bit more confusing when Roohi sees him in the audience, and you are unsure if he is there physically or if this is more of her being in tune with her ancestors. While this is a confusing moment, it is also a good moment in which children can ask questions, or you can ask them what they believe is happening in the story.

Final Verdict: Music of the Mountains is a beautiful and fun book that teaches young children about the Rabab and the ways in which music brings us together. Children ages 6 and up will enjoy listening to this story and learning about music from another part of the world. This book is a great way to share Pashtun culture with others and learn a little bit about Pakistani music.