Reviews

Escape from Aleppo by N.H. Senzai

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

msnikkiwilks's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

I'm a sucker for realistic fiction. This felt like historical fiction, but unfortunately, this conflict is still alive and well. It provided a unique insight into the complexities of the Syrian Crisis, which I'm grateful for. 

goyvonreads's review against another edition

challenging hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

akvegida's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

anniiikash's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective 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? It's complicated

5.0

The story of a young girl making her way through Aleppo to the turkish boarder, after being separated from her family during their escape. On her way she meets a mysterious old man, whose mission it is to keep thousands of years of history alive by rescuing artefacts, books, and other historical items.

A perfect combination of a captivating yet heartbreaking story with strategically placed background information about Syria's history and the beginnings of the war. It gives a face to the thousands of refugees leaving the country and is a good reminder for western readers why it's so important for us to welcome these people with compassion, love and opportunity. 

The book is fast to read and the story is mature and devastating with some horrible details, but not overly graphic, therefore I would recommend it to adults and young-ish teenagers alike. It gives easily understandable insights, if someone does not yet know a lot about the situation.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Religious bigotry, Murder, War, Violence, and Abandonment

Moderate: Terminal illness and Death of parent

Minor: Torture

readingthroughtheages's review

5.0

An important read for middle grade readers as, hopefully, a windows book. Senzai gives us a glimpse into what it may be like for one child trying to leave war torn Aleppo. Throughout the story the reader comes to understand the turmoil in this area where many readers of the same age have not known anything but war.
A great ladder book from Gratz's Refugee.

thatjamiea's review

4.0

This was a great little book and I’d highly recommend it not only for kids, but for adults who may be looking for an easy explanation of the Syrian conflict.

Nadia is a young Syrian girl. She loved painting her nails and watching Arab Idol. She wants to be famous one day, but after Mohammad Bouazizi martyrs himself in 2010 the Syrian condition and stability slowly begins to deteriorate.

Nadia suffers from extreme anxiety after surviving s bombing, shrapnel still lodged in her leg. Her family makes the decision to leave Aleppo and travel to Turkey, but as they are leaving their hike is bombed and while Nadia is alive, she is buried and they leave her.

That begins Nadia’s journey through the city. She meets Ammo Mazen, a secretive man who seems to know everyone and they meet Basel and Tarek on their journey to turkey to be reunited with Nadia’s family.

Beautifully written and definitely YA appropriate with a lovely overview of Syrian history.

amaciver's review

4.0

read for: 7th grade english

sarahelisewrites's review

5.0

A piece of fiction set in the contemporary world of Syria. Nadia must navigate war-torn Aleppo with the help of a mysterious old man and other children they meet along the way. This story is engaging while also providing a historical context to the strife currently ongoing in the Middle East. It is an important read, especially for its target age group (middle-grade/early high school).

lizflynn's review

adventurous challenging emotional inspiring sad tense fast-paced

4.0