The Librarian of Basra

The Librarian of Basra: A True Story from Iraq
Synopsis
Alia Muhammad Baker’s library in Basra, Iraq, has been a meeting place for those who love books for the past fourteen years. Now war has come, and Alia fears that the library—along with the thirty thousand books within it—will be destroyed forever. 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.
  • Virtue
    VIRTUE
    Is this the way I want my child to think and act?
    Ratings are based on how much a book extols Islamic morality and espouses classical ideals.
  • Language
    LANGUAGE
    Is this the way I want my child to speak?
    Ratings are based on a book's vocabulary, cadence, and overall eloquence suited to age level.
  • Story
    STORY
    Does this story resonate with my child?
    Ratings are based on the integrity of plot structure, the depth of characters, the palpability of the book's conflict and resolution, and the lure of its setting.
  • Beauty
    BEAUTY
    Does this book develop my child's ability to recognize beauty?
    Ratings are based on aesthetics, linguistic beauty, poignancy, and how well a book embodies ihsan—harmonizing excellence.
VIEW FLAGS
Mindful Muslim Review

An inspirational true story, this book depicts the heroism of Alia Muhammad Baker as she saves a public library one book at a time, amidst impending war and destruction. A story of courage, community, and reverence for knowledge, this book demonstrates the significance of a single person’s will to act, and the important lesson for children to honor knowledge and appreciate the privilege of having access to books.

Ages: ,
Genres:
Illustrator: Jeanette Winter
Publisher: Clarion Books
Published: 2019
Page Count: 32
ISBN13: 9780358141839
*This review applies only to ISBN number noted above.