Reviews

Escape from Aleppo by N.H. Senzai

bibliobrandie's review

3.0

Important book about a part of the world many middle grade students don't know enough about. It takes place over a 48 hour period and a lot happens.

maddisonc00's review

challenging emotional inspiring sad slow-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

3.5

harridansstew's review against another edition

2.0

I wanted to like this book, but it felt more history/background than real plot. That's not completely a bad thing, but it felt like the author was writing to adults reading kids books than to actual children.

msghani's review against another edition

3.0

Wonderful prose and an insightful read on the Syrian plight, but it didn't stir the kind of emotion in me that I wanted. However, I did enjoy how the story went back and forth to Nadia's life before the war and during it as she's escaping Aleppo. I especially liked (for lack of better word, because suffering isn't something to "like") how the author so vividly discussed the struggles of these people as they mourn the fall of their beloved country.

josemosle's review

2.0

I didn’t quite enjoy reading this book due to the fact that the main character was not engaging. She was not special, the things that should’ve been little quirks were just random things about her. The ending isn’t specific at all, and it’s not even an open ending. The whole story was just not believable or interesting. The topic is, and the war, which is already confusing, wasn’t really cleared up by the author.

It’s a pity. So much could’ve been done with this book.

softrains's review

emotional medium-paced

3.25

tattooedlibrarian's review

adventurous dark emotional hopeful sad tense fast-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

wayfaring_witch's review

3.0

At the core, Escape from Aleppo had an important story to tell. We were following a young girl, Nadia and she tries to escape Aleppo amid the Syrian Civil War. The writing didn't catch the essence of what it meant to be in Nadia's shoes and often felt clunky and unveven. Information would be dumped on us opposed to experienced. We would be seeing a moment from Nadia's viewpoint, then we'd switch spend time listening to adults talk with little reflection from our protagonist. Interesting read, but I thought Nadia's story needed to be told differently. Beautiful cover. 2018 Reading Women Challenge - A book with an immigrant or a refugee viewpoint character

sc104906's review against another edition

4.0

I received this as an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Several years again Nadia was a typical tween girl. She loved Arab Idol, and hated homework. However now her country of Syria is being torn apart by political unrest and war. This war has taken friends and family from her. She can no longer go to school. Nadia’s family has decided that it is time to leave Aleppo, Syria. When Nadia gets separated from her family, she counts on the kindness of a stranger to reunite her with her family at the Turkish border.

This was a timely tale that children across the globe can connect to. The United States is not presented in a particularly positive light, but it is presented in a real light. This book appropriately addresses the tragedy and violence found in Aleppo.

missvillanelle's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense slow-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

4.75