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Through My Eyes
Amina
The year is 2011, and Somalia's civil war has been raging for two decades. Amina's world is shattered when government forces come to arrest her artist father and rebel forces kidnap her brother. Can Amina use her own street art to provide a voice for others like herself?
184 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
5 people are currently reading
90 people want to read
About the author
J.L. Powers
14 books55 followersThe daughter of a geologist and a journalist, J.L. Powers spent much of her childhood camping and searching for fossils in the American West, and considers herself a true “desert rat.” She grew up on the U.S.-Mexico Border in El Paso, Texas.
She’s taught African history and freshman composition, research and argument, creative writing, and literature at the University of Texas at El Paso, Stanford University, and Skyline College. Jessica is semi-proficient in three languages–Spanish, Portuguese, and Zulu–and now sometimes answers in Zulu when spoken to in Spanish. Though she now lives in California, where she just finished a Master’s Degree in African History at Stanford University, she will always consider El Paso, Texas “home.”
She is the author of one picture book (Colors of the Wind: The Story of Blind Artist and Champion Runner George Mendoza); 3 novels for young adults (Amina; This Thing Called the Future; and The Confessional); editor of two collections of essays (That Mad Game: Growing Up in a Warzone; and Labor Pains and Birth Stories: Essays on Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Becoming a Parent); and author of one non-fiction hiking guide (A Bark in the Park: The 52 Best Places to Hike with Your Dog in the El Paso/Las Cruces region).
She’s taught African history and freshman composition, research and argument, creative writing, and literature at the University of Texas at El Paso, Stanford University, and Skyline College. Jessica is semi-proficient in three languages–Spanish, Portuguese, and Zulu–and now sometimes answers in Zulu when spoken to in Spanish. Though she now lives in California, where she just finished a Master’s Degree in African History at Stanford University, she will always consider El Paso, Texas “home.”
She is the author of one picture book (Colors of the Wind: The Story of Blind Artist and Champion Runner George Mendoza); 3 novels for young adults (Amina; This Thing Called the Future; and The Confessional); editor of two collections of essays (That Mad Game: Growing Up in a Warzone; and Labor Pains and Birth Stories: Essays on Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Becoming a Parent); and author of one non-fiction hiking guide (A Bark in the Park: The 52 Best Places to Hike with Your Dog in the El Paso/Las Cruces region).
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
January 3, 2016
This is a book in the Through My Eyes series, each of which is a stand alone novel by a different author, that tell stories of young people living in "contemporary conflict zones" around the world.
Amina's story takes place in Mogadishu, Somalia during 2011. At the beginning of the story things seem pretty good for her family. They are healthy, all of them are together, and they have a home, food, and the money to buy what they need. However, the reader soon realizes that this family is actually just making the best of living in a war zone. Her grandmother and mother choose to no longer leave the house for safety reasons, and she is only allowed to leave when going to school or when escorted somewhere by her father or brother. The family lives in only the first story of their house because the upper story was destroyed by a grenade during the fighting, and the sound of gunfire is a normal occurrence. Of course, as the story goes on, even this fragile sense of safety is shattered and the family is ripped apart. Amina must become an adult in the family and work to keep them alive while also struggling to figure out how to express herself through her own art.
I thought this was a wonderfully told story for young adults. It is straightforward and deals directly with the struggles these characters face on a daily basis, while at the same time never going into graphic or gory detail of the horror many experienced. I would definitely recommend it young adult readers interested in learning more about cultures and experiences around the world.
* I received an electronic copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review.
Amina's story takes place in Mogadishu, Somalia during 2011. At the beginning of the story things seem pretty good for her family. They are healthy, all of them are together, and they have a home, food, and the money to buy what they need. However, the reader soon realizes that this family is actually just making the best of living in a war zone. Her grandmother and mother choose to no longer leave the house for safety reasons, and she is only allowed to leave when going to school or when escorted somewhere by her father or brother. The family lives in only the first story of their house because the upper story was destroyed by a grenade during the fighting, and the sound of gunfire is a normal occurrence. Of course, as the story goes on, even this fragile sense of safety is shattered and the family is ripped apart. Amina must become an adult in the family and work to keep them alive while also struggling to figure out how to express herself through her own art.
I thought this was a wonderfully told story for young adults. It is straightforward and deals directly with the struggles these characters face on a daily basis, while at the same time never going into graphic or gory detail of the horror many experienced. I would definitely recommend it young adult readers interested in learning more about cultures and experiences around the world.
* I received an electronic copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review.
August 7, 2014
Amina by JLPowers is another great title in The though my Eyes series about children living in present day war zones created by Lyn White. Amina lives in Somalia and is a street artist. See author interview, book trailer and excellent teacher notes at http:/www.throughmyeyesbooks.com.au
May 4, 2017
Art brings hope, even in war...
The debris was her canvas, the detritus of war her personal collection of art materials. And the itch in her fingertips drove her to keep creating, no matter how dangerous it was to do it.
- Chapter 1
She wanted both freedom and safety but she knew that was impossible.
- Chapter 1
Sometimes she forgot the fear, but when she remembered, it was worse than if she'd never forgotten. Because what kind of person could forget that you were living in the middle of a warzone?
- Chapter 8
Amina is 14-years old and she lives in Mogadishu. Her home has been damaged in the war. When her father is arrested and her brother is kidnapped by rebel forces, she is left to provide for her pregnant mother and ailing grandmother.
Amina is a brave girl who feels vulnerable and abandoned. She creates street art to help deal with her feelings and also to encourage people to feel hopeful. I liked Amina's character a lot. She tries her best to be strong, but she is also vulnerable. The story ends on a note of hope even though there is also sadness.
This book is part of the Through My Eyes series that chronicles the lives of children caught up in contemporary conflicts. The themes of courage, determination, and perseverance appear throughout the series. I think young people will enjoy this series and it could help promote empathy and cross-cultural understanding.
Amina isn't preachy, and it gave me an understanding of the conflict in Somalia that I never had before.
The debris was her canvas, the detritus of war her personal collection of art materials. And the itch in her fingertips drove her to keep creating, no matter how dangerous it was to do it.
- Chapter 1
She wanted both freedom and safety but she knew that was impossible.
- Chapter 1
Sometimes she forgot the fear, but when she remembered, it was worse than if she'd never forgotten. Because what kind of person could forget that you were living in the middle of a warzone?
- Chapter 8
Amina is 14-years old and she lives in Mogadishu. Her home has been damaged in the war. When her father is arrested and her brother is kidnapped by rebel forces, she is left to provide for her pregnant mother and ailing grandmother.
Amina is a brave girl who feels vulnerable and abandoned. She creates street art to help deal with her feelings and also to encourage people to feel hopeful. I liked Amina's character a lot. She tries her best to be strong, but she is also vulnerable. The story ends on a note of hope even though there is also sadness.
This book is part of the Through My Eyes series that chronicles the lives of children caught up in contemporary conflicts. The themes of courage, determination, and perseverance appear throughout the series. I think young people will enjoy this series and it could help promote empathy and cross-cultural understanding.
Amina isn't preachy, and it gave me an understanding of the conflict in Somalia that I never had before.
August 30, 2016
Amina is the story of a girl and her family in Mogadishu, Somalia. As her country suffers the ongoing effects of long lasting civil war, and continued unrest, Amina's family is torn apart. Her father is an artist who paints pictures that question the conflict and the status quo. When he is arrested, the family is left to fend for themselves without a reliable means of income. They live under constant threat. Amina, a budding artist herself, moves around the city in secret to draw, write of build pieces of art that eventually become both famous and dangerous.
This is another story in the 'Through My Eyes' series for upper primary. It shows, once again, that although we may live in different parts of the world and face different struggles some things remain the same. Family, survival and belief in peace are strong themes in this book. The main characters are believable and their various responses to their situation authentically written.
A good addition to a bookshelf that includes stories about children from around the world.
This is another story in the 'Through My Eyes' series for upper primary. It shows, once again, that although we may live in different parts of the world and face different struggles some things remain the same. Family, survival and belief in peace are strong themes in this book. The main characters are believable and their various responses to their situation authentically written.
A good addition to a bookshelf that includes stories about children from around the world.
June 5, 2015
This book tells the story of a young teenage girl and her family living in war torn Mogadishu, Somalia. In some ways, it's difficult to read because the lives that these people live are so incomprehensible to a western ear. To survive on half a banana and a cup of rice; to never leave your house for fear that you would be killed; to have family members snatched right in front of you and have no power to do anything about it. Wow. But through it all, Amina doesn't ask for pity or even help. She just continues on the only way she knows how. Sure, she has family living in nice, safe countries, but she doesn't dwell on that. Instead, she's brave and she does what she can to survive. A good book for tweens and teens.
May 22, 2015
This book was an eye opener and couldn't have been more inspiring.The writing was so descriptive and pulled you in as reader. It lets you experience life through the eyes of a Somali teenage girl in the last years of the Somalian civil war. You feel her joy and her challenges, her hunger and her pain. This book brought me to tears more than a few times. Amina experiences so much and yet still finds a way to not only survive but thrive. The book does not sugarcoat any of her struggles, but still manages to leave the reader with a sense of hope. I would strongly recommend this book to both teenagers and adults, as it is a MUST-READ.
August 22, 2015
Set in 2011 in Mogadishu, Somalia where civil war has raged for two decades, Amina's world crumbles when the government arrests her artist father and rebel forces kidnap her brother. She tries to find a sense of hope in the art she creates and it soon resonates with many people in the city's underground world. A realistic, richly detailed, touching story that would be great for class or group discussion. Includes an author's note and timeline providing historical context.
June 21, 2015
An interesting story set in Somalia a few years ago. I liked the way that art and artistic expression was so important to Amina and helped her to work through her life experiences. I had to pause a few times to wonder whether particular opinions were true to the character, or whether they reflected the non-Somali author's views, but the emotional responses to the events all felt true.
October 8, 2013
Amina and her family are caught up in the civil war in Somalia. Facing starvation and with her brother and father kidnapped/arrested, Amina must use her artistic skills to send a message of hope and also for raising money for food.
January 27, 2014
A really enjoyable read suitable for Year 5 to 8. The story was well written and held the readers interest as you followed the journey of Amina.
March 17, 2015
it has an interesting story line and it shows the category issues for our reading challenge
September 21, 2017
Be prepared to feel pain, fear, hunger, sorrow, pride, and creativity. I know so little of Somalia, but this book proves that human emotion knows no boundaries, cultures, skin color, religion or gender.
BOOK TALK: The al-Shabaab militants are in control of Amina's life. They have damaged her home and placed the lives of her fellow citizens under strict fundamental laws. Amina's father is an artist and his paintings reflect the fear and terror felt by the people. As a result the al-Shabaab arrest him. The family is without money for food and Amina's mother is pregnant. Amina is a street artist drawing messages on the walls of broken and abandoned buildings. But her art will bring no money and endangers her life so Amina must find some way to scrounge or steal food. Her family's lives and her life rests on her resourcefulness and courage.
BOOK TALK: The al-Shabaab militants are in control of Amina's life. They have damaged her home and placed the lives of her fellow citizens under strict fundamental laws. Amina's father is an artist and his paintings reflect the fear and terror felt by the people. As a result the al-Shabaab arrest him. The family is without money for food and Amina's mother is pregnant. Amina is a street artist drawing messages on the walls of broken and abandoned buildings. But her art will bring no money and endangers her life so Amina must find some way to scrounge or steal food. Her family's lives and her life rests on her resourcefulness and courage.
November 27, 2017
This was a amazing book because Amina is the girl and the story and the hardships she goes through are not only true but real life events and the details make you feel like you are there. I did not want to put this book down when Amina is the one collecting food for her family when she knew it was dangerous but she risked everything for her family. I think this was a great book for anyone who likes adventure, suspense, History or true and first hand events.
December 1, 2017
I accidentally checked out this book, trying to find another book, and stumbled upon a great series of books (Through My Eyes) about children in war-torn countries and their experiences.
Amina and her family are caught up in the civil war in Somalia in 2011. Facing starvation and with her brother kidnapped and father arrested, Amina uses her artwork to create a message of hope. Her art is not only provides hope, but also a way to survive and buy food.
Amina and her family are caught up in the civil war in Somalia in 2011. Facing starvation and with her brother kidnapped and father arrested, Amina uses her artwork to create a message of hope. Her art is not only provides hope, but also a way to survive and buy food.
September 2, 2017
Amina is a book about a girl living the life of a Somalian.Disturbed by war her brother and father taken away from her.Will she ever see them again
February 16, 2023
Seems to give good insight into life as a young girl in Somalia. Story is well paced. Glossary and timeline at back of novel are good source material.
February 9, 2024
Read for school mid
February 1, 2017
Set in Somalia, this story tells of a brave girl living in horrifying times in war torn Mogadishu. A good read.
December 1, 2015
Despite the civil war that has torn their country apart, Amina's family remains determined to stay in Somalia. Her father, a former university professor, is an artist whose work is considered controversial, but it brings in money for the family's survival. Amina also enjoys creating art, but the family is devastated when al-Shabaab soldiers arrest him for his artwork. Amina's brother also is kidnapped by soldiers on the street, leaving the women--Amina, her pregnant mother, and grandmother--to fend for themselves. The money they have can only stretch so far, and then Amina resorts to stealing, begging, and foraging for food. There is little food available, and what there is to buy is extremely expensive. Eventually, she also begins creating art and writing poetry again, leaving graffiti and small pieces on the walls of abandoned houses. The author effectively describes the conditions resulting from a war that went on for decades and the repressive government that sought to eradicate any creative form of expression. It is easy to feel the hunger experience by Amina's family and the desperation caused by being unable to know who to trust. A timeline provides a snapshot of important events in the country's history. The book raises many important questions about the role of art, literature, and religion and may make young readers reflect on the dangers of censorship.
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February 7, 2016‘Amina’ J. L. Powers (‘Through My Eyes Series’)
It is powerful to walk in another person’s shoes, and live their life for a while. Though the ‘Through My Eyes’ series is fictitious, this novel is still a powerful account of real-life events – events so overwhelming that you wonder how anyone can live through them or have hope for the future. Young Amina struggles once her father and brothers are abducted by Muslim extremists in Mogadishu, Somalia. Amina, with her pregnant mother and grandmother, slowly starves. If not for friends and a turn in the civil conflict that engulfs them, she and her family would end up dead. There is no place in the city that is ever safe. Somehow, art, integrity and hope find a way. The Author’s Notes at the end are highly informative and give much food for thought.
www.throughmyeyesbooks.com.au
It is powerful to walk in another person’s shoes, and live their life for a while. Though the ‘Through My Eyes’ series is fictitious, this novel is still a powerful account of real-life events – events so overwhelming that you wonder how anyone can live through them or have hope for the future. Young Amina struggles once her father and brothers are abducted by Muslim extremists in Mogadishu, Somalia. Amina, with her pregnant mother and grandmother, slowly starves. If not for friends and a turn in the civil conflict that engulfs them, she and her family would end up dead. There is no place in the city that is ever safe. Somehow, art, integrity and hope find a way. The Author’s Notes at the end are highly informative and give much food for thought.
www.throughmyeyesbooks.com.au
December 12, 2013
Excellent book for young readers. It describes the life and culture of war torn Mogadishu through the eyes of a teenage girl. It's a great story to help young readers develop an understanding of life in less fortunate parts of the world. I rated this book a two because as an adult reader I found it difficult to connect emotionally with the character, but I did appreciate the story she had to tell.
December 8, 2016
I have finished this book and i loved it! It certainly wasnt my favourite book but it was very intrieging. Alot of the time this book was quite boring and made me stop reading it for a while. It was quite intense and sad so I dont recommend this book if you are sensitive but recommend it if you like action. Altogether I liked this book and rate it a 3 1/2 stars.
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October 4, 2015Heartbreaking but gives you a ray of hope! At such a young age people go through alot just to survive leaves the reader wondering x
July 29, 2016
I found Amina to be an interesting book with many great aspects. I would recommend this book to anyone interested on learning about the war or her culture.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews