My Take Your Take Banner

MTYT: Escape from Aleppo

This week we discuss Escape from Aleppo by N.H. Senzai as one of the books that present situations of pain and bravery. Each book we looked at this month offers surprises and controversy. Each is thought-provoking. As we said when we recommended Escape from Aleppo as our book of the month, the novel seems right out of the headlines.

Escape from Aleppo by N H Senzai Continue reading

WOW Recommends: Book of the Month

WOW Recommends: Escape from Aleppo

Escape from Aleppo by N.H. SenzaiEscape from Aleppo by N.H. Senzai serves as a primer on the horrible war that has raged in Syria for 7 years. The novel seems right out of the headlines, but also gives the reader a background of the history of Syria and why its people cherish their country. The story is about 14-year-old Nadia who is separated from her family after their home and neighborhood is bombed. She knows that her family is trying to escape to Turkey, but she is not certain how to get there through the destroyed city. The family leaves messages that help her. Senzai fleshes out the story with flashbacks that fills in Nadia’s background and experiences. I marvel at the characterizations, especially the elderly, mysterious man, Ammo Mazen, who takes on the responsibility of guiding Nadia to find her family. Ammo makes stops as they travel through the city that are intriguing. In one place, he and Nadia encounter people trying to save and preserve artifacts from the city’s libraries and museums. Nadia’s character is also well-drawn. Her growing grit and courage make the reader root for her. In spite of the difficulties Nadia suffers, she helps other–even protecting and taking along on the journey an orphaned 8-year-old boy she finds abandoned. Continue reading

Decorative WOW Currents Banner

Muslim Migrants in Children’s Literature: Shooting Kabul

by Seems Aziz, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK
MIGRATION: A WAY OF LIFE

Cover from Shooting KabulGenerally, immigration can be due to many reasons some of which could be due to family/marriage, work/better life or as refugees from war, genocide, and unrest. In the effect of immigration on characters one observes a certain general impact as the characters go through the process of settling in their adopted countries while they usually settle in to a better life while continuing to hold on to their old life. Letting go of who a person has been for a long time is not easy. However, the impact of effects of genocide, war and unrest are ever present in an immigrant’s life and are not easy to shake off.
Continue reading