During the war with Iraq, Iran has continuously lowered the age of conscripted soldiers. When they begin to take boys as young as eight and nine, Abbas’s father knows he must take immediate action. Having been wealthy and powerful and allied with the now deposed Shah of Iran, he knows his son will soon be a target. Abbas and his mother must leave and try to reach England. When his mother is stopped at the airport, Abbas must continue to Istanbul alone. In Istanbul he must try to survive, and obtain a coveted British visa.
This book is pretty amazing, as it tells a true story of the author’s struggles as a child. It’s simply written and I believe that it really reads as an autobiography in a way that draws attention to the fact that it’s not fiction. The ending was a bit abrupt, but that wouldn’t have bothered me if I didn’t want to know more! I wanted to know more about his parents and about what happened to him next.
Great for: This would make an excellent pairing with books about Jews fleeing Russia at the time of the pogroms or Europe during World War II.
Age Recommendation: This seems to be commonly shelved as YA, but I do believe it would of interest to students in Grades 5 and up. There is some violence, but not too much and while Abbas’s situation is serious, it’s not often scary. Since Abbas is nine at the time of the book, I believe it would be eye opening for readers who are similar in age.
Sex, Nudity, Dating – A woman has left Iraq to avoid an arranged marriage. She had a boyfriend but he ran off with another woman. A woman kisses Abbas on the cheeks.
Profanity – “crap,”
Death, Violence and Gore – Iran and Iraq are at war. People were executed when the ayatollahs came into power. The recruitment age for the war is 8. A woman’s 12 year old was returned to her in a coffin. Children are told they will go to paradise if they die in the war. People are caned until the bleed, whipped, thrown in prison for speaking out. A man was tortured, his legs broken for looking like criminal. A man hits his son so hard he falls down. Then he beat him with his belt. His father told Abbas stories of children being killed for their organs. At a crime scene a man’s corpse is bloody, his face sliced. A hotel’s sheets have crimson stains. A man walks down the street with a bloody face. A man slaps a boy and spits on his head. A man grabs Abbas and holds a knife to his neck. He throws him against a wall. Abbas is saved but his neck is cut and bleeding.
Drugs, Alcohol and Smoking – Abbas finds a used syringe in a hotel bathroom. A man takes a cigarette and offers one to Abbas. Abbas refuses. Another man smokes. Abbas sees two men that are high on something.
Frightening or Intense Things – A boy must leave his family behind and travel to a new country.
