The Small Ones: A Novel

by Nazanine Hozar

SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2026 GILLER PRIZE

“The Small Ones is a masterfully written, harrowing novel about the child martyrs used as front-line shields in the Iran-Iraq War—'us warrior children, us children of God,’ as our narrator tells us. A wondrous literary novel about a dark moment in history.”
—John Irving

"Transforms the experiences of children caught in conflict into a deeply affecting examination of sacrifice, power, survival, and the enduring humanity of those whom society deems expendable." —The 2026 Giller Prize Jury

In The Small Ones, Nazanine Hozar crafts a gripping fable about children who are caught up in a military insurgence along the Iran–Iraq border in the early 1980s (based on the real-life conflict of that time) and forced to become soldiers and martyrs. This ragtag group of boys and one small girl create a little family of their own even as they yearn to return to their lost homes and safety.
    The Small Ones is at heart about fathers and sons—unreliable father figures in the repressive Iran of Hozar’s telling whose personal quests for power lead to pain and bloodshed. It is also a tale about what it takes to not only survive but end such wars. The story centres on narrator Amir and his best friend Clay, who appears to be both a human boy and a creature of myth. With them, we embark on a full-circle journey, following the ancient river Karun along the borderland until freedom is in reach, but at a terrible cost.
    An extraordinary novel that takes us unflinchingly into a storm of deadly conflict through the eyes of its youngest participants, The Small Ones is a searing look at cycles of coercion, bloodshed and war, and the cost of escaping them for the hope of a better life.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, War, Canada, Literary Fiction

331 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 29, 2026

Reviews

[Joan · Rating 4.75 out of 5]

The first few pages I thought uh oh-I don’t think this is for me. And then I got into it and couldn’t put it down. Such an unbelievable and horrifying story.

[Jamad · Rating 3.25 out of 5]

A harrowing read about the horrors of war, told through the eyes of children caught up in the Iran-Iraq conflict in the early 1980s. Forced into becoming soldiers and martyrs, these children are robbed of the safety and innocence that should be part of childhood.

At the heart of the story are Amir and his friend Clay, as a group of young people try to survive in a world shaped by violence, cruelty and unreliable adults. There are moments of tenderness and companionship, but the brutality of their circumstances is never far away.

A powerful and often heartbreaking novel that explores the devastating consequences of war and the terrible price paid by those with the least power to protect themselves. Not an easy read, but a memorable one.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Small Ones is an interesting book. It’s a book about how war affects children and the horrific practice of recruiting (forcing) children to fight. It’s disturbing to think of it. It was equally disturbing to read parts of the book where our child characters are subjected to fates we wouldn’t imagine. It’s a book about war, but not set in the middle of an active battleground. Rather, it focuses on the tender lives caught in the environment of a conflict. The book’s fable-like narrative helps tell the story it wants to tell, often leaving an impression on the reader. However, it is a 300-odd-page book, which I felt had way too many pages to its detriment. This could have been a much more powerful tale told in half the pages.

[Mikail · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Small Ones is a powerful and heartbreaking story. I was especially moved by the friendship between Amir, Clay, Mehdi, and Layla and how they try to hold on to each other while facing the reality of war and losing their childhood. The story is difficult at times, but that is also what makes it so impactful. It left me thinking about the human cost of conflict and the strength it takes to hope for freedom.

[Deb Nixon · Rating 1.75 out of 5]

I was looking forward to reading this book. I really wanted to like it. I wish reviewers would disclose how weird the first part of the book was. I didn't know it was fantasy, plunges in with no context, seemed bizarre and I gave up. I don't like fantasy or science fiction. No idea how this could be on the Giller list. Makes me think I should stop paying attention to literary prize lists.

[HelenJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was not a book I would have chosen to read if it had not been on the Giller shortlist!
I found it not only interesting, but edifying of how little value some people/cultures place on little children. Imagine enticing them into becoming little soldiers so they could become real heroes and reach heaven.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s 1982 and the border between Iraq and Iran is the setting for The Small Ones. Boys as young as ten are being conscripted to fight as front line shields, not knowing what the war is about; only that they want to be heroes at the end of it all. Hence the title referencing the small ones. The book centres around the boys Amir ( the narrator of the story) , Clay ( Amir’s friend) , Mehdi and the little girl Layla. They really want to be back in their homes with their families, not fighting , so they band together to do their best to find a way to escape.
This story is based on the real war raging at that time in the 1980’s. It’s a story of friendship, loyalty, war and a distorted father-son relationship that is a necessary part of the plot.
It was an interesting book but difficult to read as content, at times, was disturbing. If nothing else it enlightened me as to what lengths countries will sometimes go to, to win a war.
I raise my rating to 4 1/2 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for my eARC.

[Wyeth Robertson · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

4.3; heart shattering; probably won’t win the giller prize… but could?

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

'...history repeats and rhymes and mimics and clings.' - page 208 '"What do you think this is for?" I asked. "This war. What do you think it's all for?"' - page239.

[Annettemurray · Rating 2 out of 5]

Audiobook. Important topic. May have been better to read than to listen, to better grasp the characters. I was confused for the first third of the book. Audio is better for plot driven stories…

[Jficele · Rating 4 out of 5]

The topic of children in war was very difficult. The prose was especially poignant as the point of view of a child, made soldier, or scapegoat. It will sit with me for a very long time.