Scan barcode
melissa_reads_books's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
whisper88's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
5.0
Okay, so yes the cat is lost at the end, but only in the epilogue. Otherwise she's unhurt in the book. I don't think this is a spoiler because it's a huge deciding factor whether someone could/couldn't read this book. (I literally can't read anything where animals are hurt or killed.)
You'll still end up ugly crying, but it's worth every snotty tear drenched tissue.
I keep asking everyone older than me (I was born in the '90's) what they remember of the time and how the news reported (if it ever did) a literal genocide. Happily this brave family avoided the most extreme losses and torture. It's truly a survival story which may be some of the most important messages we can share. Death can be a relief, or at least a definitive resolution, where as surviving leaves so many questions unanswered. Learning how to sit with life as it is (or was) is an undertaking where any support from any source is always badly needed.
You'll still end up ugly crying, but it's worth every snotty tear drenched tissue.
I keep asking everyone older than me (I was born in the '90's) what they remember of the time and how the news reported (if it ever did) a literal genocide. Happily this brave family avoided the most extreme losses and torture. It's truly a survival story which may be some of the most important messages we can share. Death can be a relief, or at least a definitive resolution, where as surviving leaves so many questions unanswered. Learning how to sit with life as it is (or was) is an undertaking where any support from any source is always badly needed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Rape, Xenophobia, Antisemitism, Grief, Cultural appropriation, Sexual harassment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
annebennett1957's review against another edition
5.0
Of all the YA and MG nonfiction books I have consumed recently this one took me the longest to get into and to finish but I have a feeling it will also have the biggest impact.
Amra was 16 when the war in Bosnia broke out. One day her Serb neighbors all disappeared from her town and the bombing started. One day she was a normal high school kid worried about grades and thinking about her friends and if she would ever fall in love. The next she and her family are fighting for their survival. If not for the sweet little cat who adopted her family Amra is not sure that any of them would have survived.
So what was so impactful about Amra's story? First I couldn't help feeling guilty that I as an American wasn't paying attention enough to even be aware that the Serbs intended to kill all Bosnians just because they were Muslim. Prior to now when I think about genocides I never thought of this war.
Second, Amra Sabic-El-Rayess likens what happened in her country to what she see happening in the USA today with the hatred and divisions being allowed to grow and spill over. Where one race of people are not given the same respect in the justice system or in society as everyone else. She uses this book as a warning to us.
I am not sure if teens will flock to read this book but I hope it does end up in some kids hands and can make a positive difference in their lives.
https://headfullofbooks.blogspot.com/2021/02/nonfiction-review-cat-i-never-named.html
Amra was 16 when the war in Bosnia broke out. One day her Serb neighbors all disappeared from her town and the bombing started. One day she was a normal high school kid worried about grades and thinking about her friends and if she would ever fall in love. The next she and her family are fighting for their survival. If not for the sweet little cat who adopted her family Amra is not sure that any of them would have survived.
So what was so impactful about Amra's story? First I couldn't help feeling guilty that I as an American wasn't paying attention enough to even be aware that the Serbs intended to kill all Bosnians just because they were Muslim. Prior to now when I think about genocides I never thought of this war.
Second, Amra Sabic-El-Rayess likens what happened in her country to what she see happening in the USA today with the hatred and divisions being allowed to grow and spill over. Where one race of people are not given the same respect in the justice system or in society as everyone else. She uses this book as a warning to us.
I am not sure if teens will flock to read this book but I hope it does end up in some kids hands and can make a positive difference in their lives.
https://headfullofbooks.blogspot.com/2021/02/nonfiction-review-cat-i-never-named.html
good_names_dont_exist's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Genocide
Moderate: Animal death
vrop's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.5
kizzabell's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
4.0
rebzreads100's review against another edition
5.0
Warning, this book will make you cry. A young woman’s story of living through the Bosnian War, something I’ve been trying to learn more about lately. Her kitty companion adds a special touch. Knowing that this is a true story makes it even sadder. My heart goes out to all the reviewers I see who also had to experience this growing up.
nezzaaa's review against another edition
5.0
WHY DO I NOT KNOW MORE ABOUT THIS. A LITERAL GENOCIDE HAPPENED. IN THE 90'S.
carstensena's review against another edition
5.0
Reviewed for Booklist - Starred review!
An extraordinary war memoir that has many (frightening) parallels to today. And a great cat!
An extraordinary war memoir that has many (frightening) parallels to today. And a great cat!