Escape from Aleppo
By:
When the Arab Spring sparks a civil war in Syria, Nadia gets separated from her family as they flee their home in Aleppo. Now on her own, she tries to find her way to safety. Author’s note.
ISBN: 9781481472173
JLG Release: Mar 2018
Sensitive Areas:
Mild language, War, Violence, Animal cruelty, Harsh realities of war
Topics:
Refugees
, Secrets
, Aleppo, Syria
, Civil war in Syria, 2011
, Historical fiction
, Middle East
, Military and wars
, Survival
, Family
, Friendship
Awards & Honors
Booklist 2018 Top 10 Books, Incredible Journeys in Middle Grade Novels
Winter 2017–2018 Kids’ Indie Next List Preview, Ages 9–12
Praise & Reviews
Starred or favorable reviews have been received from these periodicals:
Booklist*, Kirkus Reviews, Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal
School Library Journal
Nadia is a typical 12-year-old who enjoys getting manicures, watching Arab Idol, and hanging out with her friends, but world events interrupt her life as government protests in Tunisia kickstart the Arab Spring. Three years later, things are much different in Syria: a civil war is raging; her uncle, a victim of the toppling Assad regime, is suspici Nadia is a typical 12-year-old who enjoys getting manicures, watching Arab Idol, and hanging out with her friends, but world events interrupt her life as government protests in Tunisia kickstart the Arab Spring. Three years later, things are much different in Syria: a civil war is raging; her uncle, a victim of the toppling Assad regime, is suspiciously killed; and a bombing has left her scarred with painful shrapnel in her leg and a fear of going outside. Her family is forced to evacuate during a bombing; when a bomb hits their home, Nadia is separated from them and left for dead in the rubble. Making her way quickly to the rendezvous point proves unsuccessful but with the help of some unlikely allies with their own agendas, she is able to continue her journey, fleeing towards the safety of the Turkish border and hopefully reunification with her family. In addition to an exploration of the Arab Spring and Syrian Civil War, Senzai’s story is also about the importance of cultural preservation, modern family life, and a mystery surrounding a key character, Mazzan, and his connections to historical preservation. Several unlikely plot twists and unrealistic resolutions slow down the pace and may lose some young readers. The dialogue and reactions of the heroine do not always feel like that of a young teenager. VERDICT The storytelling is slow at times, but the representation of a young protagonist from Syria makes this a solid purchase for middle grade collections.—Rebecca Gueorguiev, New York Public Library
Book Details
ISBN
9781481472173
First Release
March 2018
Genre
Fic
Dewey Classification
Trim Size
Page Count
336
Accelerated Reader
Level 6.4; Points: 9;
Scholastic Reading Counts
Level 5.7; Points: 15;
Lexile
Level 880L
Format
Print Book
Edition
Hardcover edition
Publisher
Paula Wiseman
Potentially Sensitive Areas
Mild language, War, Violence, Animal cruelty, Harsh realities of war
Topics
Refugees, Secrets, Aleppo, Syria, Civil war in Syria, 2011, Historical fiction, Middle East, Military and wars, Survival, Family, Friendship,
