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Escape from Syria
A graphic story of intense current events.
From the pen of former Lebanon Star reporter Samya Kullab comes a breathtaking and hard-hitting story of one family's struggle to survive in the face of war, displacement, poverty and relocation.
Escape from Syria is a fictionalized account that calls on real-life circumstances and true tales of refugee families to serve as a microcosm of the Syrian uprising and the war and refugee crisis that followed.
The story spans six years in the lives of Walid, his wife Dalia, and their two children, Amina and Youssef. Forced to flee from Syria, they become asylum-seekers in Lebanon, and finally resettled refugees in the West. It is a story that has been replayed thousands of times by other families.
When the family home in Aleppo is destroyed by a government-led bomb strike, Walid has no choice but to take his wife and children and flee their war-torn and much loved homeland. They struggle to survive in the wretched refugee camps of Lebanon, and when Youssef becomes fatally ill as a result of the poor hygienic conditions, his father is forced to take great personal risk to save his family.
Walid's daughter, the young Amina, a whip-smart grade-A student, tells the story. As she witnesses firsthand the harsh realities that her family must endure if they are to survive -- swindling smugglers, treacherous ocean crossings, and jihadist militias -- she is forced to grow up very quickly in order to help her parents and brother.
Kullab's narrative masterfully maps both the collapse and destruction of Syria, and the real-life tragedies faced by its citizens still today. The family's escape from their homeland makes for a harrowing tale, but with their safe arrival in the West it serves as a hopeful endnote to this ongoing worldwide crisis.
Beautiful illustrations by Jackie Roche -- whose work on the viral web-comic, Syria's Climate Conflict, was seen prominently in Symboliamag. com, Upworthy.com and Motherjones.com, among others -- bring Kullab's words to life in stunning imagery that captures both the horror of war and the dignity of human will.
From the pen of former Lebanon Star reporter Samya Kullab comes a breathtaking and hard-hitting story of one family's struggle to survive in the face of war, displacement, poverty and relocation.
Escape from Syria is a fictionalized account that calls on real-life circumstances and true tales of refugee families to serve as a microcosm of the Syrian uprising and the war and refugee crisis that followed.
The story spans six years in the lives of Walid, his wife Dalia, and their two children, Amina and Youssef. Forced to flee from Syria, they become asylum-seekers in Lebanon, and finally resettled refugees in the West. It is a story that has been replayed thousands of times by other families.
When the family home in Aleppo is destroyed by a government-led bomb strike, Walid has no choice but to take his wife and children and flee their war-torn and much loved homeland. They struggle to survive in the wretched refugee camps of Lebanon, and when Youssef becomes fatally ill as a result of the poor hygienic conditions, his father is forced to take great personal risk to save his family.
Walid's daughter, the young Amina, a whip-smart grade-A student, tells the story. As she witnesses firsthand the harsh realities that her family must endure if they are to survive -- swindling smugglers, treacherous ocean crossings, and jihadist militias -- she is forced to grow up very quickly in order to help her parents and brother.
Kullab's narrative masterfully maps both the collapse and destruction of Syria, and the real-life tragedies faced by its citizens still today. The family's escape from their homeland makes for a harrowing tale, but with their safe arrival in the West it serves as a hopeful endnote to this ongoing worldwide crisis.
Beautiful illustrations by Jackie Roche -- whose work on the viral web-comic, Syria's Climate Conflict, was seen prominently in Symboliamag. com, Upworthy.com and Motherjones.com, among others -- bring Kullab's words to life in stunning imagery that captures both the horror of war and the dignity of human will.
96 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2017
14 people are currently reading
905 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 196 reviews
November 27, 2018
4.5. I highly recommend this graphic novel about Syrian refugees, written by a journalist based out of Lebanon. The art is emotionally touching and conveys the family unit's struggles and hopes well. I loved that this took such a heavy situation and broke it down in a way that was easy to follow. It was short, but it wastes no pages: it was so informative and enlightening. It touched upon some things I knew, but best of all it taught me a lot of new information.
January 26, 2018
This graphic novel follows the tribulations of a Syrian family as told by the daughter who recounts the end of her family's livelihood in Aleppo, their years as refugees in Lebanon, and then the beginning of their lives as relocated Syrians in Canada.
Her story isn't nearly as simple as that sentence.
Her story isn't nearly as simple as that sentence.
Read
December 10, 2020Powerful fictionalized story of a Syrian refugee family, told from the perspective of the teenage daugther, Amina. Kullab is a noted journalist for multiple outlets in the Middle East (currently working in Iraq) and undoubtedly pulls this story from the scores of refugees she has met and interviewed over her years working in the region. Attractive art and useful maps, endnotes, and other resources as supplemental material.
*Many thanks to my friend Nohemi for this recommendation.
*Many thanks to my friend Nohemi for this recommendation.
January 8, 2025
It’s a heart-wrenching graphic novel that weaves the harrowing stories of those forced to flee their homes amidst the chaos of war, particularly highlighting the struggles faced by Syrians during the brutal civil war that began in 2011. This turmoil, exacerbated by the interference of global superpowers and rooted in years of political repression and socio-economic hardships under the Bashar al-Assad regime, marked a pivotal moment in Syrian history, as peaceful protests demanding reform spiraled into widespread devastation.
Given that the novel was published prior to the regime's eventual fall in December 2024, reading it now fills me with profound hope and triumph for the Syrian people, who have long yearned for liberation from oppression.
The graphic novel evokes deep sadness as it portrays the painful realities faced by refugees—such as the trauma of evacuation, the struggle for basic recognition, and the lack of human rights in host countries—but also serves as a poignant reminder of the resilience of the human spirit.
Ultimately, this small book calls attention to the dignity and strength of those who have been forced to leave everything behind in search of safety and a new life, reminding us of the importance of acknowledging their shared humanity and struggles, and urging us to recognize the devastating impact of external powers in the destruction of human life.
Long live Syria! 🇸🇾
May its people find peace, freedom, and a brighter future ahead. 🤲🏻🕊
Given that the novel was published prior to the regime's eventual fall in December 2024, reading it now fills me with profound hope and triumph for the Syrian people, who have long yearned for liberation from oppression.
The graphic novel evokes deep sadness as it portrays the painful realities faced by refugees—such as the trauma of evacuation, the struggle for basic recognition, and the lack of human rights in host countries—but also serves as a poignant reminder of the resilience of the human spirit.
Ultimately, this small book calls attention to the dignity and strength of those who have been forced to leave everything behind in search of safety and a new life, reminding us of the importance of acknowledging their shared humanity and struggles, and urging us to recognize the devastating impact of external powers in the destruction of human life.
Long live Syria! 🇸🇾
May its people find peace, freedom, and a brighter future ahead. 🤲🏻🕊
January 21, 2018
Sad, but true.
Need to have more of this printed, as we are left alone with 3,5 Million people in need, without any of the “civilised” nations feeling the urge of sharing responsibility.
Need to have more of this printed, as we are left alone with 3,5 Million people in need, without any of the “civilised” nations feeling the urge of sharing responsibility.
January 1, 2026
such an important story to be told. i am ashamed to say i was not so well-informed about the history of syria before.
January 8, 2020
4.5 stars
Heartbreaking book that highlights the horrors of the war in Syria, the toll on refugees, what it means to be a refugee perpetually in limbo and having to depend on the humanity of others. Parents having their daughters get married so they can be safe is heartbreaking and the trauma that comes with being a refugee and losing your homeland and identity and sense of self. Then having to deal with racism and islamophobia (yes you get Christian Syrians too but they wouldn’t suffer as a result from their beliefs in a Western country).
This book is necessary and accessible so kids 10 + can understand what is going on. Also highly recommend Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga.
There are still plenty of refugees who don’t get to go abroad and have an opportunity to have a better life. 💔💔💔😔😔😔
Heartbreaking book that highlights the horrors of the war in Syria, the toll on refugees, what it means to be a refugee perpetually in limbo and having to depend on the humanity of others. Parents having their daughters get married so they can be safe is heartbreaking and the trauma that comes with being a refugee and losing your homeland and identity and sense of self. Then having to deal with racism and islamophobia (yes you get Christian Syrians too but they wouldn’t suffer as a result from their beliefs in a Western country).
This book is necessary and accessible so kids 10 + can understand what is going on. Also highly recommend Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga.
There are still plenty of refugees who don’t get to go abroad and have an opportunity to have a better life. 💔💔💔😔😔😔
August 4, 2018
This. Book. Is. So. Important.
It is very approachable, informative, and makes it easy to learn about the Syrian war; I learned a lot.
In addition to the subject matter, the artwork is fantastic in my opinion, and the book is very faithful when it comes to Muslim representation in books; I really appreciated that, because most books with “Muslim representation” end up screwing everything up because they aren’t researched well-enough.
Overall, I highly recommend this graphic novel!
It is very approachable, informative, and makes it easy to learn about the Syrian war; I learned a lot.
In addition to the subject matter, the artwork is fantastic in my opinion, and the book is very faithful when it comes to Muslim representation in books; I really appreciated that, because most books with “Muslim representation” end up screwing everything up because they aren’t researched well-enough.
Overall, I highly recommend this graphic novel!
March 7, 2025
4.5⭐(book 19/25 - 2025)
March 18, 2018
For reasons I can’t explain, the Syrian Civil War has long tugged at my head and heart. It’s an unfathomable situation, unprecedented, and yet as a global people (particularly in the West), our aid has been too miniscule and intermittent for the displaced Syrian citizens fleeing terror.
Since the war began in 2011 (some argue 2013), the plight of Syrian refugees has created a thriving sub-genre of literature. Samya Kullab, a former Lebanese reporter, adds to the pile with Escape from Syria, a graphic novel geared toward young adults.
The story follows Amina and her family as their lives in Syria are uprooted. Eventually, they are forced to a refugee camp in Lebanon, and when the reality of returning to their homeland is cemented, they relocate to Canada. It is a universal tale, shared by many real-life refugees, the details staggering but accurate. I appreciate the truthful depiction of conditions in Syria and the refugee camps, even if it was very biased to Lebanese involvement.
My issue with the graphic novel was structural. The leaps back and forth in the timeline confused; the male characters were drawn too similar, occasionally leading to more confusion; and even the characters’ dialogue was not distinct enough to differentiate.
Overall, the content was strong and heart-achingly factual, but the package felt amateurish.
Since the war began in 2011 (some argue 2013), the plight of Syrian refugees has created a thriving sub-genre of literature. Samya Kullab, a former Lebanese reporter, adds to the pile with Escape from Syria, a graphic novel geared toward young adults.
The story follows Amina and her family as their lives in Syria are uprooted. Eventually, they are forced to a refugee camp in Lebanon, and when the reality of returning to their homeland is cemented, they relocate to Canada. It is a universal tale, shared by many real-life refugees, the details staggering but accurate. I appreciate the truthful depiction of conditions in Syria and the refugee camps, even if it was very biased to Lebanese involvement.
My issue with the graphic novel was structural. The leaps back and forth in the timeline confused; the male characters were drawn too similar, occasionally leading to more confusion; and even the characters’ dialogue was not distinct enough to differentiate.
Overall, the content was strong and heart-achingly factual, but the package felt amateurish.
September 13, 2018
This book takes a half hour to read. In half an hour, Escape From Syria takes you into the intensity of the revolution and refugee experience. Some families in Syria were just trying to pursue normal life, living lives rich in intellectual pursuit, surrounded by extended family, sometimes even in the same multi-floor apartment building before revolution broke out.
But because Syria had no freedom and no democracy, when the Arab Spring began in Arab lands, revolution naturally started to foment in Syria. It was dealt with mercilessly by the regime in power. No reforms were allowed. Citizens serving in the Syrian Army were ordered to kill their own people and did so.
Amina, a top female student, sees her life fall apart. Her family decides they must leave and they go to Lebanon. The author consistently shows the young reader just how hard it is to survive as a refugee. One way the author does this is by showing a monthly budget for refugee life and how income doesn't match expenses. Another way the author does this is by showing the anguish of a refugee family that needs medicine that will instantly heal their son, but what are they to do when they have no money to pay for that medicine? Another way the author did this was to show how young daughters, often as young as 13, were married off by their families in the camp because they had no possible way of protecting them. Another way the author shows the refugee experience is Amina's reaction to walking by windows of families living normal lives, just like she used to have, as if nothing has happened.
This book helps children see the real deep impact for families around the world whose governments would rather retain power among a ruling elite than allow for more freedom and democracy. The author, a working journalist who reported on the refugee and migration crisis for years, backs up every situation described in her book with citations in the back. I say thank you to author Samya Kullab, for giving voice to the powerless. Thanks also to the rest of the publishing team that brought this book to the public.
But because Syria had no freedom and no democracy, when the Arab Spring began in Arab lands, revolution naturally started to foment in Syria. It was dealt with mercilessly by the regime in power. No reforms were allowed. Citizens serving in the Syrian Army were ordered to kill their own people and did so.
Amina, a top female student, sees her life fall apart. Her family decides they must leave and they go to Lebanon. The author consistently shows the young reader just how hard it is to survive as a refugee. One way the author does this is by showing a monthly budget for refugee life and how income doesn't match expenses. Another way the author does this is by showing the anguish of a refugee family that needs medicine that will instantly heal their son, but what are they to do when they have no money to pay for that medicine? Another way the author did this was to show how young daughters, often as young as 13, were married off by their families in the camp because they had no possible way of protecting them. Another way the author shows the refugee experience is Amina's reaction to walking by windows of families living normal lives, just like she used to have, as if nothing has happened.
This book helps children see the real deep impact for families around the world whose governments would rather retain power among a ruling elite than allow for more freedom and democracy. The author, a working journalist who reported on the refugee and migration crisis for years, backs up every situation described in her book with citations in the back. I say thank you to author Samya Kullab, for giving voice to the powerless. Thanks also to the rest of the publishing team that brought this book to the public.
September 12, 2019
Fictionalized, ripped from life story about one journey away from Syria.
Full-color illustrations that effectively tell the story. Plenty of context-exposition. 8 pages of endnotes, including photographs of the real stuff.
Engaging, tragic, real, heartbreaking.
Read with:
A Land of Permanent Goodbyes
Full-color illustrations that effectively tell the story. Plenty of context-exposition. 8 pages of endnotes, including photographs of the real stuff.
Engaging, tragic, real, heartbreaking.
Read with:
A Land of Permanent Goodbyes
March 15, 2022
This book told far more about the plight of the Syrian (and other) refugees than its small size would have you believe. The illustrations are both touching and brutal.
The part I liked best was at the end when the story was explained in more detail and had actual pictures and lots of behind the scenes information.
I’d just read The Beekeeper of Aleppo so when I saw this at the library I grabbed it. I’m glad I did.
The part I liked best was at the end when the story was explained in more detail and had actual pictures and lots of behind the scenes information.
I’d just read The Beekeeper of Aleppo so when I saw this at the library I grabbed it. I’m glad I did.
April 24, 2018
This book of heart, of hurt, and of humility is a must-read for anyone concerned with the conflict in Syria — or perhaps simply those who need to review their own privilege. Of all the graphic novels and stories I have read on Syria and its refugees, this both rang the truest and felt the most accessible. I cannot recommend it more highly.
July 5, 2018
Very powerful and needed graphic novel. One thing that bothers me is the marrying off the young daughters... I’m almost 40 and can’t imagine being married, but to be married off at 9-14 is just sad for me. Those young girls deserve a future of their own choosing. But the illustrations were great and this type of stories are needed in today’s world.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 26, 2019
Flashing back from present to past, Escape from Syria juxtaposes the different manners of living and existing in Canada and Aleppo. Following a family from the war-ridden Aleppo and their eventual immigration, this book offers a narrative that has become all too real for many Syrians.
With colorful illustrations, good graphics, and a fantastic storyline, this book takes your heart and tugs it. It's emotional, strange, and overall an engaging, fictional account of what too many are experiencing right now.
Review cross-listed here!
With colorful illustrations, good graphics, and a fantastic storyline, this book takes your heart and tugs it. It's emotional, strange, and overall an engaging, fictional account of what too many are experiencing right now.
Review cross-listed here!
April 4, 2018
Based upon real research and reporting and backed up with references, this is a GN that belongs on a shelf with Palestine and Fax from Sarajevo. Heartbreaking and sad but an informative and necessary read, I recommend this to everyone needing an insight into Syria's current conditions the global factors that went into creating the situation.
November 17, 2018
This is only my second graphic novel and it was an amazing one. The illustrations are beautiful and I learned so much about Syria. The history was embedded into the story and it makes me want to learn more about what's been happening in Syria.
May 1, 2019
An impactful and accessible way to to show the tragedy of Syria. The storyline is simple and covers the basics but I love the inclusion of further explanation in the back notes for those who want more backstory and detail into the references and events that occur throughout the book.
March 14, 2019
3.5 stars
March 27, 2019
Short but powerful graphic novel. Good to pair with Refugee bu Gratz
March 14, 2021
Straightforward and clear illustration of a time of tumult and chaos.
November 18, 2023
4.5 ⭐️
Short but impactful story of a Syrian family’s journey, from losing their home to immigrating Canada as refugees.
Short but impactful story of a Syrian family’s journey, from losing their home to immigrating Canada as refugees.
February 16, 2018
An introduction to the conflict in Syria told in comics form for a young audience. This story was very simple, but useful as a teaching tool and empathy-building read.
July 28, 2019
These new nonfiction graphic novels are a great way to learn about hot topics and current events! Maybe somebody should slip some of these onto Trump's nightstand.
August 21, 2018
{free book from Firefly Books—all opinions are my own}
This graphic novel made my heart ache! As a general rule, I am not a fan of graphic novels (they are too visually cluttered for my brain to handle), but this one was well-done. I feel so strongly that this topic—civil war and refugees—is not discussed enough in America, and this book rekindled my desire to at least share facts and spread the word. The illustrations are accurate without being too gruesome, and the storyline is packed with information (if a bit cumbersome sometimes). Based on true stories of real Syrian refugees, ESCAPE FROM SYRIA could be read and discussed with children 10+.
This graphic novel made my heart ache! As a general rule, I am not a fan of graphic novels (they are too visually cluttered for my brain to handle), but this one was well-done. I feel so strongly that this topic—civil war and refugees—is not discussed enough in America, and this book rekindled my desire to at least share facts and spread the word. The illustrations are accurate without being too gruesome, and the storyline is packed with information (if a bit cumbersome sometimes). Based on true stories of real Syrian refugees, ESCAPE FROM SYRIA could be read and discussed with children 10+.
October 7, 2022
Very touching and informative on how Syrians felt being forced out of their own country and into other countries that didn't provide for them properly and even ridiculed them for being Syrians.
December 24, 2017
An informative and important read, but I wish it had been told in a linear fashion rather than one that hopped back-and-forth in time.
I enjoyed the minimal drawing style that conveyed the realities and difficulties of Amina’s life, as well as the contrast of her urge to leave the country to be able to learn with her mother’s resistance to leave home.
I enjoyed the minimal drawing style that conveyed the realities and difficulties of Amina’s life, as well as the contrast of her urge to leave the country to be able to learn with her mother’s resistance to leave home.
December 31, 2017
Unrelentingly depressing until a bittersweet happy ending that is revealed to be highly unlikely for the vast majority of Syrian refugees, this is a message book that is pretty typical for its sort, but has the bonus of simple but charming artwork, very readable lettering and a good balance of dialogue and text boxes.
August 28, 2018
This graphic novel is succinct and effective. It doesn’t beg for tears or pity, but bluntly shows what Syrians are experiencing in their own homes and while fleeing. It also effectively explains the crisis in a way that is simple and understandable. This would make a great read for tweens and teens who struggle to grapple the complex nature of the Syrian crisis, as well as adults.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 196 reviews