WOW Books

January 2011 — Children and Conflict

In the midst of conflict, children are always in danger of being “collateral damage.” In some cases, it is physical injury or death. In others it is the emotional trauma of suddenly losing a home, immediate family members, or close friends. Yet, children show remarkable courage and resilience. Join us as we look at four books set amidst the conflicts in the Middle East.

Four children are stranded in an overloaded boat when the captain is killed. We learn the backstory for Rosalia, who is escaping the white slave trade, Cheslav, AWOL from the Russian army, Abdul, who is leaving war torn Baghad, and Jonah, the captain’s ten year old son, as they all rely on each other in a desperate attempt to reach safety in England. Join our discussion of No Safe Place by Deborah Ellis in our final book for January.

Yasmine, along with her parents, return to Afghanistan after living in England. When the Taliban separates her from her parents, she survives with the help of a newly found friend, Tamanna. Eventually events, literally, take an explosive turn for the worse. Follow their journey in Thunder Over Kandahar by Sharon E. McKay, our third book for January.

Our second selection looked at Good Night, Commander by Ahmad Akbarpour. A young boy struggles to make sense of the loss of his mother and his leg after the Iran-Iraq war through play involving his toy soldiers. Simple drawings allow the reader to share his journey from anguish over his situation to compassion for others.

Our first book this month was Where The Streets Had A Name by Randa Abdel-Fattah. Hayatt and Samy live in the West Bank. One day they have the opportunity to undertake a trip to Jerusalem. In most any other part of the world, a trip of that nature would be short and simple. But the Middle East is unlike most places. Join the discussion of Where The Streets Had A Name.