“What an amazing story this is! One family’s struggle for survival in the chaos of Syria, and one boy’s courageous decision to risk his life to tell the story. This graphic memoir is inspiring and exciting, powerful and very poignant. I loved it!”
—Anderson Cooper
“A story of journalism at its most inspiring, its most heartbreaking, its most essential. Muhammad is a reporter who brings hope to a damaged world.”
—John Berman, CNN anchor
“A powerful true story that demonstrates the power of one young person determined to change the world. Everyone should read this phenomenal book.” —Victoria Jamieson, coauthor of When Stars Are Scattered
A teenage boy risks his life to tell the truth in this gripping graphic memoir by youth activist Muhammad Najem and CNN producer Nora Neus.
Muhammad Najem was only eight years old when the war in Syria began. He was thirteen when his beloved Baba, his father, was killed in a bombing while praying. By fifteen, Muhammad didn’t want to hide anymore—he wanted to act. He was determined to reveal what families like his were enduring in Syria: bombings by their own government and days hiding in dark underground shelters.
Armed with the camera on his phone and the support of his family, he started reporting on the war using social media. He interviewed other kids like him to show what they hope for and dream about. More than anything, he did it to show that Syrian kids like his toddler brother and infant sister, are just like kids in any other country. Despite unimaginable loss, Muhammad was always determined to document the humanity of the Syrian people. Eventually, the world took notice.
This tenderly illustrated graphic memoir is told by Muhammad himself along with CNN producer Nora Neus, who helped break Muhammad’s story and bring his family’s plight to an international audience.
“A Note from Nora.” Recipe for stuffed grape leaves. Full-color photographs and illustrations.
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Gr 6–9—Najem, Neus, and Robine put the graphic format to powerful use to depict the devastation of the Assad regime in Syria through the eyes of young Najem. In 2011, Najem's safe life is irrevocably changed by the arrival of vicious soldiers looking to force men into the military. The family hides every time they sweep the city. Targeted bombings soon follow. Interwoven with these terrifying events is the family's love, humor, and resilience. With each blow, this extended family goes back to work, back to school, and back to chronicling the war, with Najem deciding he should tell the story from the point of view of kids. Facing incredible danger, he begins to upload news to social media. While the bombings continue, Najem is contacted by CNN journalist Neus. He feels he might be making a difference. In 2018, the family moves to a safer city. Life is better at first, but the bombings come. Oldest brother Firas manages to move the family to Istanbul. Najem is so conflicted that he almost goes back to Syria, but Firas convinces him that he has to stay alive in order to make a difference. The book ends with Najem being interviewed on international television. Rising to the journalistic aims of the work, Robine's art does not shy away from the toll of the fighting, on cities or on people. Appended author notes and photographs bring the story into the present. VERDICT The power of graphic nonfiction is on full display here. Highly recommended.—Elisabeth LeBris