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bookish_scientist's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
saidtheraina's review against another edition
5.0
This book ticks all the boxes.
It was my slamdunk booktalk of the 2019 middle school tour.
Abawi tells the story of Tareq, a kid growing up in Syria, who is ripped out of his home. We follow Tareq from his home across several borders, including a journey across the Mediterranean Sea to the Island of Lesbos in an overcrowded boat.
There are also chapters of the story which introduce a much older relief worker, which felt a little less middle-school-friendly. Older teens and adults will definitely get a lot out of this book.
The story is told from the perspective of a personified Destiny (similar to the way Death narrates [b: The Book Thief|19063|The Book Thief|Markus Zusak|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1522157426s/19063.jpg|878368]). I'm gonna include a long blockquote here, because it's too long to reasonably include in the quotes on this site, but I want to read it as often as possible:
Personally, I also love the cover - and the middle schoolers responded to it too. When I do booktalks, I invite the kids to request any of the books off of the table for me to talk about (based solely on the covers), and I'm pretty sure I did this booktalk/this book was requested for every single presentation. I visited 5 schools, and talked to up to 6 groups of kids a day for up to 5 days at each school, so... I talked about this book a lot over the first few months of 2019.
My booktalk was a slight re-working of a check-point scene (starting on page 31), and I had one kid approach me after my presentation and say he was really into that book because he liked "military books." If you haven't looked at the cover up close, those are bullet casings in the foreground.
Personally, I consider this an ownvoices book, because the author is of middle eastern (Afghan) heritage, and was born a refugee in Europe. It's not exactly Tareq's story, but it's way closer than if I'd written it. Do you agree?
Gah. Rave. Gah.
It was my slamdunk booktalk of the 2019 middle school tour.
Abawi tells the story of Tareq, a kid growing up in Syria, who is ripped out of his home. We follow Tareq from his home across several borders, including a journey across the Mediterranean Sea to the Island of Lesbos in an overcrowded boat.
There are also chapters of the story which introduce a much older relief worker, which felt a little less middle-school-friendly. Older teens and adults will definitely get a lot out of this book.
The story is told from the perspective of a personified Destiny (similar to the way Death narrates [b: The Book Thief|19063|The Book Thief|Markus Zusak|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1522157426s/19063.jpg|878368]). I'm gonna include a long blockquote here, because it's too long to reasonably include in the quotes on this site, but I want to read it as often as possible:
The invisible lines in your world hold so much power.UGHHHH... So good.
Your eyes do not see them, but whether you live or die can depend on which side you stand on. The trajectory of your life is conditional.
On one side of the line, fighter jets rip through the sky, releasing cluster bombs, lighting up entire neighborhoods and painting the streets with the blood of limp corpses lying in the rubble. Hearts shudder with fear at every breath, in every minute of every day. Awake or asleep, you live with terror.
On the other side, the only danger from the sky is the storm that rolls in, shooting lightning through the clouds, or from the birds that flap their wings, dropping their lunch on an unsuspecting street merchant. Children go to school kicking rocks while filling the air with the music of their laughter. There are still problems, but your chances of survival outweigh a premature demise.
Your borders were devised by man. A rain cloud or even a bird does not recognize the barriers created by the human mind. Neither does a gazelle or an ant. The tremors on your planet didn’t cut up your land the way mankind has.
As desperate Syrians fled their homes and stepped over those artificial lines in search of light, they watched as others walked into the darkness, continuing to fuel the flames of disorder. Like in other war-torn countries, foreign elements destroyed their homes and their homeland even further.
There was initial relief when they first crossed those invisible lines. But the hardships did not end. Days turned to months, every moment a struggle filled with uncertainty. It included regret for leaving. And anguish for not departing sooner. There were days without food and months lacking proper shelter. Although it was a battle to survive in their new homes, I continued to see worse in the cities they’d left behind.
They are called the “lucky” ones. But in these situations, no one is truly lucky. Luck has abandoned them, sometimes never to return.
Personally, I also love the cover - and the middle schoolers responded to it too. When I do booktalks, I invite the kids to request any of the books off of the table for me to talk about (based solely on the covers), and I'm pretty sure I did this booktalk/this book was requested for every single presentation. I visited 5 schools, and talked to up to 6 groups of kids a day for up to 5 days at each school, so... I talked about this book a lot over the first few months of 2019.
My booktalk was a slight re-working of a check-point scene (starting on page 31), and I had one kid approach me after my presentation and say he was really into that book because he liked "military books." If you haven't looked at the cover up close, those are bullet casings in the foreground.
Personally, I consider this an ownvoices book, because the author is of middle eastern (Afghan) heritage, and was born a refugee in Europe. It's not exactly Tareq's story, but it's way closer than if I'd written it. Do you agree?
Gah. Rave. Gah.
doublen's review against another edition
5.0
A heartbreaking but necessary book. I cried several times. The author writes in a way that hits you right in your soul.
lizwine's review against another edition
5.0
This is my favorite book I have read so far in 2018. Heart-wrenching but a beautifully written novel focusing on Syrian refugees.
cartermon4's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
kimonoh's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
kcw98's review against another edition
5.0
I totally agree with this review on the back cover of the book: “An inspiring, timely, and must-have account of the Syrian refugee disaster and the perils of all war.”
This book opened my eyes to a land, people, and conflict I knew nothing about beforehand. It broke my heart; Tareq’s story is one of exploitation, hunger, fear, tragic loss, fear. It inspired me to do something, anything, to be a “helper” in this world, to make a difference even if it’s just like one drop of water in the ocean.
My favorite parts of this story were when strangers came together and helped one another and showed kindness, even in the darkest times, and even though most of those sweets moments ended in separation or tragedy. It gave me hope though to see those sparks of goodness and humanity, no matter the ethnic difference or language barriers. Like the men who jumped into the icy water and helped push the dinghy to shore. Like the volunteers waiting on shore who were dedicating their lives to bringing the refugees to warmth and safety. I just loved seeing different people come together.
This book’s writing style is easy to read but the content is hard and heavy. But it’s too important to not read.
Here are some of the lines that hit me the hardest…
“The story of displacement and loss is woven into the fabric of human history. One day it’s them, the next day it’s you.” -p111
“How can a life end up so different, just because of where your mother gives birth?” -p121
“He ached for [the bird’s] wings and freedom. ‘Look at those birds, so carefree. They don’t need passports. They dont have war. They can fly from ine place to another without checkpoints, guns or violence. They just need the wind. I want that.’ // ‘Be careful, big brother,’ Salim warned. ‘You may just get your wish. Angels can do that too.’” -p140
This book opened my eyes to a land, people, and conflict I knew nothing about beforehand. It broke my heart; Tareq’s story is one of exploitation, hunger, fear, tragic loss, fear. It inspired me to do something, anything, to be a “helper” in this world, to make a difference even if it’s just like one drop of water in the ocean.
My favorite parts of this story were when strangers came together and helped one another and showed kindness, even in the darkest times, and even though most of those sweets moments ended in separation or tragedy. It gave me hope though to see those sparks of goodness and humanity, no matter the ethnic difference or language barriers. Like the men who jumped into the icy water and helped push the dinghy to shore. Like the volunteers waiting on shore who were dedicating their lives to bringing the refugees to warmth and safety. I just loved seeing different people come together.
This book’s writing style is easy to read but the content is hard and heavy. But it’s too important to not read.
Here are some of the lines that hit me the hardest…
“The story of displacement and loss is woven into the fabric of human history. One day it’s them, the next day it’s you.” -p111
“How can a life end up so different, just because of where your mother gives birth?” -p121
“He ached for [the bird’s] wings and freedom. ‘Look at those birds, so carefree. They don’t need passports. They dont have war. They can fly from ine place to another without checkpoints, guns or violence. They just need the wind. I want that.’ // ‘Be careful, big brother,’ Salim warned. ‘You may just get your wish. Angels can do that too.’” -p140
tales_told_in_gold's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Trafficking, and Xenophobia
Minor: Rape
marypmcg's review against another edition
3.0
This work of contemporary fiction follows young Tareq as he is transformed from an ordinary teenager in Syria to another of the countless refugees fleeing his home. In an instant, Tareq goes from being a good kid who helps his parents around the house and looks out for his five younger siblings to suddenly being responsible for keeping himself and his four-year-old sister alive. Tareq is forced to grow up quickly on his harrowing journey through armed checkpoints, across borders and seas, and in and out of refugee camps where food and comfort of any kind is scarce. Tareq wears a brave face for his little sister Susan, but on the inside he is afraid, angry, lonely, and yet determined that if they make it to Europe, they will find peace, safety, and eventually reunite with their father.
Along the way we meet relatives, fellow refugees, and aid volunteers who touch the lives of Tareq and his family. Vignettes from each of their stories are all narrated by destiny personified. While the story is heavy and the narration is a little saccharine, this very compelling book helps to humanize the plight of refugees from around the world and gives readers a glimpse into the reality of their daily lives.
*This review was originally published in the Sharing Times newsletter for NYC School Librarians and is based on an advanced readers’ copy of this book. The original review and full newsletter can be accessed at https://mailchi.mp/ac50053d4e99/sharing-time-205-january-2018
Along the way we meet relatives, fellow refugees, and aid volunteers who touch the lives of Tareq and his family. Vignettes from each of their stories are all narrated by destiny personified. While the story is heavy and the narration is a little saccharine, this very compelling book helps to humanize the plight of refugees from around the world and gives readers a glimpse into the reality of their daily lives.
*This review was originally published in the Sharing Times newsletter for NYC School Librarians and is based on an advanced readers’ copy of this book. The original review and full newsletter can be accessed at https://mailchi.mp/ac50053d4e99/sharing-time-205-january-2018
manjirbag's review against another edition
5.0
This review was originally published at BookBrowse, and can be found here: https://www.bookbrowse.com/mag/reviews/index.cfm/ref/pr237568