Isn’t it great to finally have a bit of good news? Today’s two posters have books, nonfiction, memoir, biography and fiction for all ages – adult, YA, Middle Grade and picture books about Syria. Usually I wait until the month of the national day to put together a country poster, but today I squeezed in some time for our books on Syria as I think it is important to dwell on the journey the country has been through since 2011. Our G8 students read Atia Abawi’s “A Land of Permanent Goodbyes“
in their historical fiction unit and “As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow” by Zoulfa Katouh is part of our G8 core library list – both beautifully written heart-wrenching books.

While compiling these books and comparing it to books we have on other periods of history I wondered what it takes to have a body of literature on a period of historical conflict? Survivors? A high literacy rate? Interest from the diaspora and world at large that opens the doors of publishers and editors? The amount of time or loss of lives?

By Nadine Bailey – middle school teacher librarian, currently living and working in Dubai, formerly in Beijing China, Singapore and a bunch of other cities around the world. Passionate about our students seeing themselves and their worlds in literature and developing curiosity and a passion for reading and learning.

The views, opinions, and thoughts expressed in this blog post are solely my own and do not reflect the positions, policies, or opinions of any current or former employer. Any references or examples provided are intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as endorsements or official statements from any organization I have been associated with.