Twelve-year-old Shabanu lives in the desert in Pakistan.

She is already engaged but dreams of independence, and after tragedy strikes, she must choose which path to take. Twelve-year-old Shabanu lives with her family in Pakistan's Cholistan Desert, in a society that denies women any form of independence.

She is already betrothed, while her sister Phulan, a year older, is about to be married.

After tragedy strikes, Shabanu is faced with a life changing decision - she must choose between pursuing the freedom she's always longed for and following the traditions of her family and culture.