Escape from Aleppo

November 15, 2017
Senzai (Ticket to India, 2015, etc.) tells the story of 14-year-old Nadia's narrow escape from the ancient city of Aleppo in war-torn Syria as she desperately seeks her family, who accidentally left her behind.Two years into Syria's civil war, the many armed rebel groups and the government forces are descending on Aleppo. Traumatized since her bomb injury, Nadia is pulled from under her bed as her family prepares to leave their home for a safer place. Although a relative has been assigned to monitor her, another bomb falls as they are exiting, and in the confusion, Nadia is left behind. Now she must recover from the shock and rely on her instincts, a seemingly kind old man she meets, and, ultimately, her own intelligence to make it out of Aleppo alive and find her family at the Turkish border. All of this she manages to do in fairly short order, with a series of rather abrupt changes in her psychological state. Through Nadia's conversations with other characters and through extensive exposition, readers learn about the impressively vast and complex history of Aleppo and of Syria. The Arab Spring is also treated in detail. Nadia's flashbacks give insight to life under dictatorship and the drastic changes introduced by war. Arabic words are italicized once, then printed in Roman type.Despite narrative hitches, a valuable introduction to the issues plaguing modern Syria and the costs of war in historically rich locales. (Historical fiction. 8-12)

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December 1, 2017

Gr 5-8-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

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 18, 2017
Senzai (Ticket to India) crafts a harrowing novel about a 14-year-old girl’s flight from war-torn Syria in 2013 that captures the reality of the conflict while illuminating the culture and history of the country. After an explosion buries Nadia under rubble, her family is forced to flee without her. When Nadia tries to trace their steps, she meets an enigmatic elderly bookbinder, Ammo Mazen, who promises to take her to the meeting place. Senzai effectively sketches the ever-changing dangers and varied combatants, including a band of rebel women, as Nadia and Ammo take on two orphans and wend their way through the city, trying to reach the Turkish border. Flashbacks illustrate the charms of Nadia’s family and their life before the fighting, including birthday celebrations and the promise of Arab Spring. Though some of the plot machinations are a tad convoluted, the novel’s taut pacing and memorable heroine result in a gripping and intense story of the traumas inflicted on Syria’s citizens. Ages 8–12. Agent: Michael Bourret, Dystel, Goderich & Bourret.

Starred review from November 15, 2017
Grades 4-7 *Starred Review* Nadia is enjoying the best day of her life as her friends and loved ones are gathered around her, ready to sing Happy Birthday, when news arrives of Mohamed Bouazizi, a young man who set himself on fire to protest harassment and corruption of government officials in Tunisia. Nadia is not aware, but the elders in her family look on as the protests of the Tunisian Revolution begin to grow and spread into the Arab Spring, which soon finds its way to Nadia's doorstep. As her family attempts to flee to Turkey and reunite with her father, their home is bombed and Nadia is left behind. With her cat, Mishmish, and the help of an old, mysterious manAmmo MazenNadia begins the journey. Flashbacks of Nadia's life before the war are interspersed with those detailing her struggles to find her father. Nadia gains courage and trust throughout her journey, thanks to her companions, all while struggling to understand why there is such sadness and unfairness in this world. Filled with kindness and hope, but also with the harsh realities of the horrors of war, this heartbreaking book is a necessary reminder of what many people live through every day.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)