Title:The Librarian of Basra
Author/Illustrator: Winter, Jeanette
Publisher and Date:Harcourt Inc., 2005
Genre: Multicultural, Picture Book, Biography
Age Range: 1st-5th
Summary:
This is the incredible true story of Alia Muhammad Baker. Alia is the librarian of Basra, Iraq. She loves the library and the books that it contains. It is a place for those who love books to come and “discuss matters of the world and matters of the spirit.” One day, however, things change for Alia and her beloved library. The talk in the library turns to war and the fears it is brining with it. Alia fears that all of her precious books will be destroyed. She asks the governor for permission to move them to a safe place, but he refuses. She reacts by taking as many books as she can fit in her car home from the library each night, hoping that she can keep them safe. Days pass and war turns in to a reality for Basra. Alia calls on to her friend Anis Muhammad, who owns a restaurant beside the library, for help. She asks him to help her move all the books out of the library. She, Anias, and others work all night to move all the library’s books over the seven foot wall separating the two buildings. Nine days after this, Alia’s library is burned to the ground. Finally, war moves out of the area and Alia hires a truck to move the books to a safe place. She hides thirty thousand books in her and her friend’s houses. Books are everywhere, but Alia is finally satisfied that they are safe. Alia waits for the war to end, for peace to come, and for a new library to be built.
Response:
What a wonderful, inspirational story! It could truly benefit all of our students to read this heroic tale. I am, however, not naive enough to think that everyone would accept and like this story. I’m sure this is a very controversial story to some, because of the times that we live in. Some people might not like this book because it touches on the often touchy topic of war; it has several pictures of planes, gunfire, and fires destroying cities. Some might fear that this picture book is too harsh for children to read. I disagree, however. In a time when we are at war with Iraq, it is important to see that the people of Iraq are not our enemies. They are people just like us, who enjoy the same things we enjoy, and who live lives similar to ours. They read books, hold discussions, and have fears just like we do. We need to emphasize to our students that the majority of the citizens in Iraq have done nothing wrong; they are victims caught in the crossfire of their circumstances. It is always wrong to foster hatred, anger, or prejudice against any group of people. I would love to read this story to my student so that they can hear the amazingly true and heroic story of a person who is real and who is still alive! I think it would encourage them and help them show empathy toward others who are more similar to them than they may think.
Teaching Ideas:
First, this would be a great book to incorporate into a geography or history lesson when studying Iraq. I would have my students study Alia and learn more about her and the culture, geography, and history of Iraq. Second, it would also be a great book to incorporate into a third grade social studies curriculum on heroes. This ordinary woman did something extraordinary that deserves to be remembered. She is truly inspirational to all; she proves that no matter where you’re from or what age you are, you can do amazing things! Finally, this would be a great conversation starter for any age group about war and it's consequences.
This is the incredible true story of Alia Muhammad Baker. Alia is the librarian of Basra, Iraq. She loves the library and the books that it contains. It is a place for those who love books to come and “discuss matters of the world and matters of the spirit.” One day, however, things change for Alia and her beloved library. The talk in the library turns to war and the fears it is brining with it. Alia fears that all of her precious books will be destroyed. She asks the governor for permission to move them to a safe place, but he refuses. She reacts by taking as many books as she can fit in her car home from the library each night, hoping that she can keep them safe. Days pass and war turns in to a reality for Basra. Alia calls on to her friend Anis Muhammad, who owns a restaurant beside the library, for help. She asks him to help her move all the books out of the library. She, Anias, and others work all night to move all the library’s books over the seven foot wall separating the two buildings. Nine days after this, Alia’s library is burned to the ground. Finally, war moves out of the area and Alia hires a truck to move the books to a safe place. She hides thirty thousand books in her and her friend’s houses. Books are everywhere, but Alia is finally satisfied that they are safe. Alia waits for the war to end, for peace to come, and for a new library to be built.
Response:
What a wonderful, inspirational story! It could truly benefit all of our students to read this heroic tale. I am, however, not naive enough to think that everyone would accept and like this story. I’m sure this is a very controversial story to some, because of the times that we live in. Some people might not like this book because it touches on the often touchy topic of war; it has several pictures of planes, gunfire, and fires destroying cities. Some might fear that this picture book is too harsh for children to read. I disagree, however. In a time when we are at war with Iraq, it is important to see that the people of Iraq are not our enemies. They are people just like us, who enjoy the same things we enjoy, and who live lives similar to ours. They read books, hold discussions, and have fears just like we do. We need to emphasize to our students that the majority of the citizens in Iraq have done nothing wrong; they are victims caught in the crossfire of their circumstances. It is always wrong to foster hatred, anger, or prejudice against any group of people. I would love to read this story to my student so that they can hear the amazingly true and heroic story of a person who is real and who is still alive! I think it would encourage them and help them show empathy toward others who are more similar to them than they may think.
Teaching Ideas:
First, this would be a great book to incorporate into a geography or history lesson when studying Iraq. I would have my students study Alia and learn more about her and the culture, geography, and history of Iraq. Second, it would also be a great book to incorporate into a third grade social studies curriculum on heroes. This ordinary woman did something extraordinary that deserves to be remembered. She is truly inspirational to all; she proves that no matter where you’re from or what age you are, you can do amazing things! Finally, this would be a great conversation starter for any age group about war and it's consequences.
ps. be sure to check out the note from the author on the last page of the book! It contains information about how this amazing story was found and what Alia is up to now.
No comments:
Post a Comment