Under the Sun

by Arthur Dorros

Part My Side of the Mountain and part The Red Badge of Courage , a gripping journey of survival across a country at war

From Arthur Dorros, author of many highly-acclaimed picture books, comes this thrilling first novel.

Thirteen-year-old Ehmet, separated from his parents by the violence in his native Bosnia, travels alone across the country to a place he's heard rumors of, a village of children living in peace. Along the way, Ehmet uses all his skills, remembered and read, to find food, shelter, direction, and a new life for himself.

This important and timely book, based on extensive travel and research, shows readers the cost of war and the importance of young people in building peace.

Praise for Under the Sun

"With vivid description and telling detail that speaks of the extensive research, Dorros pulls the reader into a fictional story that has the chilling ring of truth."-- The Oregonian

"A story that transcends setting to chronicle the adaptability and creativity of young adults everywhere."-- Pages Magazine

"The facts are astonishing, and the contemporary war docunovel will grab readers."-- Booklist

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction

240 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2004

Reviews

[Joe Domolky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. I think that in some ways I can and almost everybody can probably relate to the main character. The boy who goes on a long journey to find a place where there is no violence and only peace. I think the book was interesting and although it felt kind of long, I didn't get bored reading it. I can relate to this character, but I also cannot. I learned new things since the story is told from a boy living in Bosnia during war.

[Juanita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review: Under The Son by Arthur Dorros.

This is a great story. They read it in schools but this was the first I heard about the book. It was well-written and the characters were heartwarming. The facts are astonishing, and the contemporary war novel will captivate the reader. The book is about war-torn Bosnia and a young boy’s struggle with the ethnic hatred that has turned his world upside down. The story is told through the perspective of a thirteen-year-old boy experiencing the pain, confusion, and grief of that tragic time of the Balkan wars struggling to find hope and healing while trying to find at least one family member still alive after he was separated from them while running to stay alive.

It’s a great book for teenage boys who have to grow up fast and be responsible for issues that only an adult should have to worry about. This type of story can keep you reading page after page and through the night. The characters and places are well described throughout the book and gives the reader a great view of a recent time in history. The book offers great insight in how it is to survive a tragic war and being in places in turmoil and what abuse people have to endure. As you read it feels like recent currant events, ethnic identity and strong tolerance to situation that they cannot control.

The author writes about a young teenage boy who is thirteen and his name is, Ehmet. He leaves his home with his mother to the country where they think they would be safe and Ehmet’s father will meet up with in a short time. However, it wasn’t long before they were attracted and Ehmet got out and planned to meet his mother at a certain place as they had talked about if something happened. He waited for his mother for quite awhile when she finally came to him in an abused state and Ehmet could not get her to tell him what happened after he left the farmhouse. All Ehmet knew was his mother was abused in some way and now he needed to get her moving out of the area and find some shelter for her during the night.

Ehmet decided they needed to get to his grandparents in Croatia, many miles away. The story goes on for a while with them walking at night and resting during the day and trying to stay out of the path of anyone. He did not know who to trust anymore. As they were traveling his mother was slowly getting worse. Ehmet tried so hard to keep his mother comfortable as much as he could and kept trying to feed her berries or other editable plants and mushrooms that he new were safe to eat but her health was deteriorating. They traveled mostly in the woods following a dirt road not far from them and Ehmet struggled with many disturbing challenges that no child should go through. Than the day came where Ehmet felt the first and most excruciating pain he had ever encountered…..

[Hectic Glow · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was great. It consisted of beautiful writing and an interesting plot. Each chapter ended with a cliffhanger and the historical facts made the story feel real. Furthermore, I think one of the many reasons I enjoyed this book is because it gave my a Night(By Elie Wiesel)-like feeling. I really think more people should read this because it has as much potential as a regular bestseller YA book. However, I am not giving this book a 5 star rating because of the ending. The ending was as happy as it could be, but in reality, it was never like that. People that live throughout wars are left with deep bleeding scars, and the end of this book made it look like everything was going to work out perfectly for our main character. That is the only way this book failed to transmit a realistic view of war.

Either way, I loved it.

[Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Under the Sun," by Arthur Dorros is a highly engaging novel. I read this book while working on a project about foreign policy for my English class. I thought this book really highlighted the differences in how countries deal with their own internal struggles and how other countries work towards resolving global issues. It provided me with more perspective while I continued researching. I really liked this novel. The reading level wasn't extremely challenging, which made it more enjoyable to read in my opinion. It allowed me to focus on the storyline instead of the vocabulary. I really liked the storyline, as it seemed most plausible. As I live in a secure part of the world, I found a lot of value in reading as the main character, Ehmet, struggled to find safety. It brought a truly human aspect to my research. I liked the author's style. The story was told very straightforwardly and without excess frills, but with enough action to keep me reading. Each chapter closed with a bit of a cliffhanger, which prompted me to keep reading. I don't think this text was heavily reliant on symbolism, but some could definitely be seen throughout the text. Though some books I've read lack emotion, this novel incorporates a lot of emotion (but not too much). It did make me feel upset or sad for the characters as it progressed. Overall, I recommend reading this book, as the author did an excellent job in blending all the aspects of the book together.

#findingperspective #conflictedareasoftheworld

[HiwiCat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like this book! I sometimes like reading abt wars. Well let me tell how i got this book, from my library there's a novel book in one line (ofc Under the Sun novel) there's still many copies, i was like im not interested first but i was tired of searching another book so i just checking if this book interesting. Then i check few front pages and i see the map of the Balkans which makes me interested.. and yeah that's how from now my life slightly change from reading it, it's really sad and i see what the world today (and also back then). (Sorry for the bad english because I'm from different country) and i just wanna say to the writer have a good life, this book old by gold.

[Amber Phillips-Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really good. I was very young when Yugoslavia broke up so I didn’t know a lot about what happened other than there was turmoil. This book created a wonderful picture of a boy’s journey through a tragic time.

[Taylor Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book. Having young sons, this will be a book they will read to inspire them in a similar way to Hatchet.

[Rob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing, moving, wonderful. I know want to visit the places described in this book, study the history there, and study the peace that exists where there was such horrific war. I've read a little bit about the Bosnian conflict of the 1990's. This novel gives depth to my understanding. There is much to learn about humanity and much to admire in the people who survived that horrible time in human history.

[Cameron · Rating 4 out of 5]

During the 1990's a teenage boy named Ehmet is caught in the middle of the Bosnian genocide in Sarajevo. One day he was able to run down the streets worry free and the next day he had to run from alley to alley looking out for Serbians. The risk of getting caught was being taken away or even worse, death. One evening the city underwent bombings and part of their building was hit. The next day he and his mother are forced to leave. His father must stay behind in order to provide those in the outside world with news of what's happening. Ehmet and his mother leave however they must travel by foot because all trains and airports were closed. Their father hired a guide to take him through the only way out of Sarajevo which was a small tunnel that people could only walk through. Once through the tunnel Ehmet and his mother decide to go to their Aunts house in the Bosnian country side. They make the long trek and hours later they arrive. Their Aunt is surprised to see them and gladly takes them in. That night Ehmet hears screaming coming from the downstairs. He thought that the Serbs were there for them so he decides to jump out the window and run for safety. When he and his mother finally reunite he sees that his mother had been beaten and the rings on her fingers were gone. She had a stream of tears running down her face because Ehmets aunt was taken away due to her Muslim background. From that point on they knew that they could trust no one and must travel by the light of the moon. The next day they start heading towards the safest place they know, Ehmets grandmas house in Croatia. They travel every night and sleep during the day and they all become very dehydrated and are in great pain with no where to rest but in the forest. Each night they sleep knowing that Serb could come across them they could be taken and been beaten or even worse, killed.

I enjoyed reading this book because it was based on true things that actually happened and the characters are based off of actual people. Due to the historical roots of this book it makes a person start to question how they treat others and how they react when they are treated poorly or without respect. I felt the author did a great job making the reader connect to the characters and making the reader feel as if they were a part of the book. This book will make you realize how grateful you are to be living in a first world country where war doesn't occur on the streets. All in all Dorros did a great job writing this book and keeping the reader engaged. I thought that it was a book that i didn't want to put down even though I generally don't like historical novels. I think that all students should consider reading this well written novel

[Kshitish Hati]

NICE BBOOK

[Chris G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Under the Sun, written by Arthur Dorros, is a historically fictional novel regarding sectarian violence in Yugoslavia, Europe. Although the events may not have occurred exactly as they are written about in the book, they are very relatable to instances encountered by countless refugees during the Yugoslavian civil conflicts. The book relates a story of a boy named Ehmet, who experiences countless life-threatening - and life-altering - situations, testing his maturity, strength, and ability to think critically in times of escape.
The novel starts off in a city called Sarajevo, which is, at the time, undergoing serious conflict. Snipers pepper from nearby hillsides, trying to keep everyone inside the city. Luckily, Ehmet and his mother escape, but only to have to escape from Ehmet’s aunt and uncle’s house a few days later. Ehmet and his mother travel on together in a journey towards Ehmet’s grandparent’s house. Along the way, Ehmet encounters a very life-altering experience, which tests his strength to move on from a serious tragedy. He does his best to stay strong, keep moving, and make it to a haven of safety, love and peace.
In a broad view of this novel, I would rate it very highly for a number of reasons. Although it’s not a long piece of literature, it keeps you hooked with constant movement, dangerous dilemmas, and much more. The material is very thick in the regard that the events spoken of are displaying boldly, as it the reader would be in the land himself/herself. It involves human rights issues as well, especially regarding that of many refugees having to flee for their very lives (as a result of high-level sectarian violence). I would not recommend this novel to someone who may find Yugoslavian conflict topics touchy; it’s thick, dynamic, and packed with life-changing lessons.
Under the Sun may not seem to be a very intriguing, bulky book from a first impression, but I can guarantee an eye-opening, action-packed novel that really highlights the outstanding rights we so often take for granted.

[Lizzie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ehmet's parents decide that their home, Sarajevo, has become so dangerous that they must take action. The story that follows is full of dramatic challenges for Ehmet. It is written with a light touch on the emotions, but in no way making light of the seriousness of Ehmet's situation. As a reader, I cared about Ehmet, admired him, and was rooting for him right up to the last page. A satisfying read that had the bonus of making recent history more than just a news item.

[7san Jamous · Rating 2 out of 5]

complete waste of time!.. boring and very unbelievable. what 13 years old boy travels across country on foot and based on the fact that he's good in directions and can distinguish edible plants because his grandfather had taught him how. i mean how ridiculous is it that a boy who escaped a camp hiding on a truck, and riding a bus and then walking on foot for 3 hours to reach the children village and as soon as he reaches he's asked to sit down and start peeling potatoes!..

[Colin · Rating 3 out of 5]

An account of war-torn survival told through the eyes of a young boy in Bosnia. A fast read, decent writing. There were a few too many feel-good coincidences. I did like the disabled love interest with attitude though.

[Joe · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was entertaining and well written but it seemed like the author lost interest. After spending a lot of time telling a great story and developing the characters in the first half of the book, the last part was rushed and abbreviated.

[Taimur Marwat · Rating 4 out of 5]

fantabulous...................... :)

[Yvonne · Rating 3 out of 5]

~ Set in Bosnia & Herzegovina, and Croatia.

[CRLS]

Bosnian War 1990s in former Yugoslavia