the cover of the book is sort of shouting, pick me up from this shelf and calling to be brought. KARACHI 1988 shows the time. First day back at school. The sky heavy with monsoon clouds, the schoolyard clustered with students within striding distance of shelter: the kikar trees planted along the boundary wall or the neem tree partway up the path from gate to school building. sets the scene so you can get a grip of the life before it all changes. before a adventure starts. and most likely goes wrong. was when it came to friendship – it was almost always a subplot to romance, never the heart of a story. Except The Outsiders, but that was boys, which meant it was really about how girls caused trouble and led to fights and burning buildings and death. we know the friend is of importance because of the title. by the sound of the school their friendship will be tested.