In the Koran, the first thing God said to Muhammad was 'Read.'*
--Alia Muhammad Baker
Alia Muhammad Baker is a librarian in Basra, Iraq. For fourteen years, her library has been a meeting place for those who love books. Until now. Now war has come, and Alia fears that the library--along with the thirty thousand books within it--will be destroyed forever.
In a war-stricken country where civilians--especially women--have little power, this true story about a librarian's struggle to save her community's priceless collection of books reminds us all how, throughout the world, the love of literature and the respect for knowledge know no boundaries. Illustrated by Jeanette Winter in bright acrylic and ink.
Includes an author's note.
*From the New York Times, July 27, 200
Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
Published: 01/01/2005
ISBN: 9780152054458
Pages: 32
Weight: 0.82lbs
Size: 10.98h x 8.36w x 0.36d
Award: Georgia Children's Book Award - Nominee
Award: Parents Choice Award (Spring) (1998-2007) - Winner
Award: Middle East Book Awards - Honorable Mention
Award: Black-Eyed Susan Award - Nominee
Award: Capitol Choices: Noteworthy Books for Children and Teens - Recommended
Award: Land of Enchantment Book Award - Nominee
Award: Flicker Tale Children's Book Award - Nominee
Award: Children's Book Committee Award - Winner
Award: Book Sense Book of the Year Award - Nominee
Review Citations: Multicultural Review 09/01/2005 pg. 107
Hornbook Guide to Children 07/01/2005 pg. 407 - Superior,Well Above Average
Ingram Children's Advance 01/01/2005 pg. 53
Booklist 12/01/2004 pg. 649
Kirkus Review - Children 12/15/2004 pg. 1211
Publishers Weekly 12/20/2004 pg. 57
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 02/01/2005 pg. 271
Booksense '76 Childrens Wtr 04 12/01/2004 pg. 1
School Library Journal 01/01/2005 pg. 118
Horn Book Magazine 01/01/2005 pg. 119
ALA Notable Children's Books 03/01/2006 pg. 26
Accelerated Reader Quiz #/Name: 83517 / Librarian of Basra: A True Story from Iraq
Reading Level: 3.2 / Interest Level: Lower Grade / Point Value: 0.5
