By Samya Kullab

This tale gives a fictional but all too real account of a family’s flight from war and the terrors of a refugee camp. Told from the point of view of Amira, it gives some light background to the war and the reasons why so many people fled. Once out of Syria, the family settles in Lebanon, but Lebanon is fearful of war coming to them, and does not allow most Syrians to work or own homes. Out of money, the family are forced to live a meagre existence in a refugee camp.
This story also touches on the difficulty of getting out of the camps to a safe country, of getting medical attention, of educational opportunities. It doesn’t take sides, just tells how things are. Though moving to Europe or North America means having access to these things, it also shows a new set of difficulties, learning a new language, new rules, new geography and climate.
This is an excellent story that takes little time to read but will give a reader a better understanding of what families go through before coming to Canada, and new challenges that await them. Some of the images are horrific or sad, and many are recognizable from news footage. A for sure read if you are looking to broaden your horizons and gain some understanding and compassion toward current events.

Reviewed by Vanessa