The Human Side of the Conflict in Iraq
Selected by Charlotte DeJesus, Librarian.
Scheduled to be published in the Times Union on 7/2007.
| Title: The Librarian of Basra: A True Story from Iraq Author: Winter, Jeanette 2005 When the threat of war looms on the horizon, dedicated librarian Alia Muhammad Baker organizes a group of friends to help her move 30,000 books from the library to store them in their homes just nine days before the library burns to the ground. This story, for children in grades 2-5, is based on a true story from the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003, but the author remains deliberately vague, achieving a fine balance between honestly describing the casualties of war and not making the story too frightening for children. |
| Title: Alia’s Mission: Saving the Books of Iraq Author: Stamaty, Mark Alan 2007 Stamaty, a New York Times Book Review cartoonist, tells the same story as The Librarian of Basra (reviewed above), but his version is aimed at slightly older children (grades 4-7) This is in a graphic novel format, and the detailed illustrations intensify the dramatic story. |
| Title: The Golden Sandal: A Middle Eastern Cinderella Story Author: Hickcox, Rebecca and Will Hillenbrand 1999 This is Rebecca Hickox’ retelling of an Iraqi folktale called “The Little Red Fish and the Clog of Gold”, which is very similar to the familiar Cinderella tale with some interesting Middle-Eastern twists. Hillenbrand’s colorful illustrations enhance the story. It would be appropriate for children ages kindergarten-2nd grade. |
| Title: Iraq: Enchantment of the World Author: Foster, Leila Merrill 1991 This comprehensive book, part of the Children’s Press “Enchantment of the World” series, includes information on the geography, culture, religion and history of the country, aimed at ages 9-12. |
| Title: Lugalbanda: The Boy Who Got Caught Up in a War Author: Henderson, Kathy and Jane Ray 2006 This is a timely retelling of an ancient Sumerian tale in which the young prince Lugalbanda, determined to join his brother in battle, collapses during the journey and is left behind. He is aided by gods and goddesses, ultimately helping to bring a peaceful resolution to war. The lively combination of Henderson’s words and Ray’s illustrations make this an appropriate book for grades 2-4. |