The Librarian of Basra
Book description
In this incredible true story of a war-stricken country where civilians seem powerless in the face of battle, this feminist and inspirational tale about a librarian's struggle to save her community's priceless collection of books reminds us how, throughout the world, the love of literature can unite us all.
Why read it?
2 authors picked The Librarian of Basra as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?
This is one of the first “solutionary stories” I fell in love with as a humane educator and mom. A classic and beautiful true story of an Iraqi librarian in war-torn Basra who, with the help of her neighbors, hides and saves the books in her city’s library, this one never fails to touch my heart. Jeanette Winter has a simple, powerful way of evoking emotions in her books—in this one, about war, and about one woman’s mission amidst it. This story speaks to the power of books, the power of community, and the power of one person’s passion to…
From Meeg's list on ordinary helpers in extraordinary times.
This is the remarkable true story of Alia Muhammed Baker, a librarian in Basra, Iraq. When war threatened to destroy her library in 2003, Alia, who considered books “more precious than mountains of gold,” made the heroic effort to transfer 30,000 volumes to safe locations just days before her library was burned to the ground. Author/illustrator Jeanette Winter tells this story in a way that is not traumatizing to young children but also doesn’t sugarcoat the horrors of war. Ultimately, it is a triumphant celebration of books, of courage, and of the human spirit.
From Sharlee's list on libraries and librarians.
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