Heather C. Hudak

Zahra's story began in Iran, a country where the government and Islamic clerics are joined at the hip. In recent times, freedoms, especially of speech and religion, have been sharply curtailed. In fact, it was her older brother's speaking out against government repression that forced a family crisis. Fearing that he might be imprisoned or worse, the family sold everything and fled. Their journey involved a long plane flight, a trip in a very unsafe boat, and time in several detention camps. They were fortunate to be accepted as refugees in Australia, but then had to deal with language and religious barriers as well as culture shock. This is another enlightening and well written account of refugees in our modern world.… (meer)

What do most twelve year old girls worry about? I bet it's not whether you'll still be alive tomorrow. As you read through Baseema's story, you might go from shock to disbelief, to horror at what she and thousands of other Nigerians have endured since 2009. She was a happy school girl until the terrorist group Boko Harum began raiding villages, bombing schools and mosques as well as killing, or capturing citizens. She and her family fled, walking a very long distance, her mom barefoot, until they reached a larger safer village. Unfortunately, that wasn't the end. As you read through the book, you're hit with statistics, bits of Baseema's own experiences, letters to friends and how, even today, the fear of being kidnapped, killed or having to move again hangs over her and thousands of her fellow Nigerians.… (meer)