A million kites: testimonies and poems from the children of Gaza 2023-2024

by Leila Boukarim

This little book is a collection of poems and testimonies from the children of Gaza, compiled between October 2023 and March 2024.

Leila Boukarim and Asaf Luzon came together in December 2023 to create this book with the aim of raising funds to support organizations helping Gazans and to amplify the voices of Gazan children who have suffered, and continue to suffer unfathomable injustices.

All profits from the sale of this book will be donated to organizations helping the people of Gaza.

Genres: Poetry

100 pages, Paperback

Published May 1, 2024

About the author

Leila Boukarim was born in Lebanon, grew up in several countries, and now resides in
Berlin. She has published a number of children’s books internationally, and her North American debuts are forthcoming, including Lost Words and Mariam Dreams: The Story of Mariam Al-Shaar, Soufra, and a Food Truck of Hope (Chronicle Books); the Zips and Eeloo graphic novel series (Andrews McMeel); Summer Sunday (Groundwood Books) and Rima and the Painter (Macmillan).

Leila’s stories are often influenced by her Middle Eastern upbringing, her observations as a citizen of the world, and the playfulness that arises from raising two young boys. In addition to writing and editing, Leila also spends her time reading, (proudly) hoarding books, embroidering, cooking, and trying to impress her cat.

You can visit her at www.leilaboukarim.com.

Reviews

[lina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I sobbed through this.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreaking and so important. 💔🍉

[Rumeysa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ja hab auf jeder Seite geheult.

[Inés · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wailed reading this
Free Palestine 🇵🇸

[Yohana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful

[Stephan Brusche · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreaking historical documentation of the genocide in Gaza through the eyes of children.

[⏾⋆.˚ naji˚.⋆ · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Everyone in my class died. I’m the only one left. I wish I was in heaven, too.”
I was so afraid to read this little book. So afraid, because I was scared of the pain. This morning, after my Tahajjud duas, I decided to open it.
Not a single page was turned without tears. There were moments where I had to close the book, bury my head between my knees, sob
and sob, and sob. Tell myself, no. Munira, don’t look away, they are a part of you. Their wounds, are your wounds.
Pick the book up, and finish it.
Because what kind of lives are these tiny children living? What kind of a nightmare where they wish they were dead? Doesn’t the thought of it alone crush your heart? But you can’t look away, can you?
I can’t, either. Because these children are just as dear to me as my own family. We are an Ummah. They are a part of us. And they are bleeding.
This book is the embodiment of heartbreak. It is raw. It is a collection of voices from little children, many are the age of our little siblings.
After reading this, I will never be the same again.
I don’t have the right words to describe how I feel. How I felt through this short, but incredibly heavy journey. My thoughts aren’t very long for this review. I really don’t know what to say, because some books just twist your heart… this was one of them.
My Lord, be with the oppressed children all around the world. Grant them a life in Jannah far better than this. Forgive me for all the times I am ungrateful, for all the times I forget how blessed I am to have a father who is still breathing, how blessed I am to have two hands, a fridge full of food, how blessed I am to witness a quiet night.
That is all I can say.
Please… read it.

[draxtor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please buy this book. For yourself. For your friends. Thank you organizers for putting this out.

It is the most difficult read I ever faced.

It is the most necessary read for all of us who still have a shred of humanity in us.

Please buy this book and support this project.

Please remain human: voice your opinion, show solidarity, in small ways, in big ways, whereever you are.

[Kuanyu · Rating 5 out of 5]

With English as my second language, it is truly difficult to express how I feel in English. Nevertheless, I also found myself lost in words in my first language. My mouth came out with nothing, but my eyes were full of tears.

Reading this book is also a practice for me to sit in discomfort, to try not to look away, to remember, and to hope. I hope one day there will be no war on this unique planet.

[Joud Odeh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart-wrenching

[Kaylee Anna Meinz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreaking, but so important to read.

[Kronprinz Willi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This compilation of testimonies and poetries from children of Gaza made me so emotional. Heartbreaking! 🍉

[Raya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cried until the last page. May their beautiful souls be blessed

[Simon F. Pantermüller · Rating 5 out of 5]

فلسطين سَتُصبِحُ حُرَّةً

[E.G. Alaraj · Rating 5 out of 5]

Miraculous!

[Manolya · Rating 5 out of 5]

No words

[Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ich habe eine Zeile eines einzigen Gedichtes gelesen und konnte nicht mehr aufhören zu weinen. Kinder sehen das Leid anders, aber sie nehmen es trotzdem wahr. Ich kann wirklich nicht in worte fassen wie schön und gelichzeitig schmerzhaft dieses Buch ist. Wir kennen die Bilder sie sprechen für sich und dieses Buch gibt den schwächsten von Ihnen eine Stimme. Gobt nichts zu sagen außer:
Free Palestine🇵🇸✌️

[Razan · Rating 5 out of 5]

💔💔💔

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was not prepared for what I read. The reality of what is happening to CHILDREN is heartbreaking and almost unbearable. I hope their messages reach everyone and brings about the change that they desperately need.