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Muhammad Najem, War Reporter: How One Boy Put the Spotlight on Syria
A teenage boy risks his life to tell the truth in this gripping graphic memoir by youth activist Muhammad Najem and CNN producer Nora Neus.
“A story of journalism at its most inspiring, its most heartbreaking, its most essential. Muhammad is a reporter who brings hope to a damaged world.”
—John Berman, CNN anchor
“A powerful true story that demonstrates the power of one young person determined to change the world. Everyone should read this phenomenal book.” —Victoria Jamieson, coauthor of When Stars Are Scattered
“What an amazing story this is! One family’s struggle for survival in the chaos of Syria, and one boy’s courageous decision to risk his life to tell the story. This graphic memoir is inspiring and exciting, powerful and very poignant. I loved it!” —Anderson Cooper
Muhammad Najem was only eight years old when the war in Syria began. He was thirteen when his beloved Baba, his father, was killed in a bombing while praying. By fifteen, Muhammad didn’t want to hide anymore—he wanted to act. He was determined to reveal what families like his were enduring in bombings by their own government and days hiding in dark underground shelters.
Armed with the camera on his phone and the support of his family, he started reporting on the war using social media. He interviewed other kids like him to show what they hope for and dream about. More than anything, he did it to show that Syrian kids like his toddler brother and infant sister, are just like kids in any other country. Despite unimaginable loss, Muhammad was always determined to document the humanity of the Syrian people. Eventually, the world took notice.
This tenderly illustrated graphic memoir is told by Muhammad himself along with CNN producer Nora Neus, who helped break Muhammad’s story and bring his family’s plight to an international audience.
“A story of journalism at its most inspiring, its most heartbreaking, its most essential. Muhammad is a reporter who brings hope to a damaged world.”
—John Berman, CNN anchor
“A powerful true story that demonstrates the power of one young person determined to change the world. Everyone should read this phenomenal book.” —Victoria Jamieson, coauthor of When Stars Are Scattered
“What an amazing story this is! One family’s struggle for survival in the chaos of Syria, and one boy’s courageous decision to risk his life to tell the story. This graphic memoir is inspiring and exciting, powerful and very poignant. I loved it!” —Anderson Cooper
Muhammad Najem was only eight years old when the war in Syria began. He was thirteen when his beloved Baba, his father, was killed in a bombing while praying. By fifteen, Muhammad didn’t want to hide anymore—he wanted to act. He was determined to reveal what families like his were enduring in bombings by their own government and days hiding in dark underground shelters.
Armed with the camera on his phone and the support of his family, he started reporting on the war using social media. He interviewed other kids like him to show what they hope for and dream about. More than anything, he did it to show that Syrian kids like his toddler brother and infant sister, are just like kids in any other country. Despite unimaginable loss, Muhammad was always determined to document the humanity of the Syrian people. Eventually, the world took notice.
This tenderly illustrated graphic memoir is told by Muhammad himself along with CNN producer Nora Neus, who helped break Muhammad’s story and bring his family’s plight to an international audience.
320 pages, Paperback
Published September 27, 2022
24 people are currently reading
2011 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 142 reviews
September 29, 2024
The very moving story of a family caught up in the war in Syria and of the boy who decides to do something to help by reporting over the internet the things that he experiences and sees going on around him.
Alternately harrowing, heart-breaking, heart-warming, and inspirational, Muhammad’s story is engagingly told via text and image that complement each other well.
Especially touching and complex are the emotions Muhammad grapples with after escaping to Turkey, where he goes through PTSD, survivor guilt, existential angst, and a search for new meaning. The story even raises the question of whether Muhammad’s reporting directly led to the bombing of the areas he had lived in, thus making him wonder if he, in his efforts to do something good in the world, was in fact responsible for further destruction and for the deaths of people living around him. Heavy stuff.
At times it felt a little repetitive and a smidge longer than it needed to be, but overall it is gripping and poignant, worthy of being read to understand more about what has happened in Syria and to be introduced to an incredibly brave and resourceful young man.
Alternately harrowing, heart-breaking, heart-warming, and inspirational, Muhammad’s story is engagingly told via text and image that complement each other well.
Especially touching and complex are the emotions Muhammad grapples with after escaping to Turkey, where he goes through PTSD, survivor guilt, existential angst, and a search for new meaning. The story even raises the question of whether Muhammad’s reporting directly led to the bombing of the areas he had lived in, thus making him wonder if he, in his efforts to do something good in the world, was in fact responsible for further destruction and for the deaths of people living around him. Heavy stuff.
At times it felt a little repetitive and a smidge longer than it needed to be, but overall it is gripping and poignant, worthy of being read to understand more about what has happened in Syria and to be introduced to an incredibly brave and resourceful young man.
November 15, 2022
Another grim look at the Syrian Civil War, this time from the perspective of a boy who became a war correspondent on social media, reporting on the aerial bombing strikes on his community on the eastern edge of Damascus. Aimed at a younger audience, it's well done but perhaps a bit too long for their attention span.
It's so depressing to think how this horrible situation has dragged out for over a decade, killing hundred of thousands and displacing millions more, and an ending is still not within sight. And now the war in Ukraine has drawn attention and resources away . . .
FYI - Here's the CNN story referenced in the book:
https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/21/middle...
It's so depressing to think how this horrible situation has dragged out for over a decade, killing hundred of thousands and displacing millions more, and an ending is still not within sight. And now the war in Ukraine has drawn attention and resources away . . .
FYI - Here's the CNN story referenced in the book:
https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/21/middle...
August 5, 2022
This #arc book had me sobbing and yet so grateful! Grateful that someone shone the spotlight on my beloved Syria and the truth was written for the world to see!
Genre: Middle Grade Graphic Novel
Age: 9-12 and up
Author: Muhammad Najem and Nora Neus
Illustrations/Art by Julie Robine
Published: @littlebrownyoungreaders
Muhammad tells his story of growing up in Eastern Ghouta and how his life was full of joy- until one day the Assad forces came. They bombed his home, took away his loved ones, and bombarded the city until everyone in it was starving and under seige. Muhammad’s father always told him everyone has a story- and so he set out to show it. He used his phone and social media to record what was happening and started posting online.
But it didn’t come without consequences, and his home and city were attacked even more. Muhammad and his family barely made it to Rebel-controlled Idlib, and from there, into Turkey, where Muhammad continues his reporting and posting to show the world the crimes of the Assad regime.
For such a heavy topic, this graphic novel does an AMAZING job of making the content appropriate for this age group. The emotion that came from the story, the words, and the art can only be describes as authentic and I found myself crying as I read Muhammad’s story and broken hearted that my birth country was and is still being broken by a cruel dictatorship that gives no thought to who it harms.
I really appreciated the honesty of the story. This is not a book in which the Syrian conflict is minimized or reduced to a civil war- the story of living under an oppressive dictatorship that is propped up by Russia and Iran, a dictatorship that is committing genocide against the sunni-majority population, a war against humanity with no mercy or care at the destruction it causes.
This story does end with hope, hope that continued coverage of Syria and the struggles Syrian face might somehow someday change the situation.
The fear of Muhammad is so real- the fear of speaking against a regime that will wipe out whole families simply for speaking the truth. I feel it as well.
Words themselves are resistance and I pray for a free Syria🤲
Genre: Middle Grade Graphic Novel
Age: 9-12 and up
Author: Muhammad Najem and Nora Neus
Illustrations/Art by Julie Robine
Published: @littlebrownyoungreaders
Muhammad tells his story of growing up in Eastern Ghouta and how his life was full of joy- until one day the Assad forces came. They bombed his home, took away his loved ones, and bombarded the city until everyone in it was starving and under seige. Muhammad’s father always told him everyone has a story- and so he set out to show it. He used his phone and social media to record what was happening and started posting online.
But it didn’t come without consequences, and his home and city were attacked even more. Muhammad and his family barely made it to Rebel-controlled Idlib, and from there, into Turkey, where Muhammad continues his reporting and posting to show the world the crimes of the Assad regime.
For such a heavy topic, this graphic novel does an AMAZING job of making the content appropriate for this age group. The emotion that came from the story, the words, and the art can only be describes as authentic and I found myself crying as I read Muhammad’s story and broken hearted that my birth country was and is still being broken by a cruel dictatorship that gives no thought to who it harms.
I really appreciated the honesty of the story. This is not a book in which the Syrian conflict is minimized or reduced to a civil war- the story of living under an oppressive dictatorship that is propped up by Russia and Iran, a dictatorship that is committing genocide against the sunni-majority population, a war against humanity with no mercy or care at the destruction it causes.
This story does end with hope, hope that continued coverage of Syria and the struggles Syrian face might somehow someday change the situation.
The fear of Muhammad is so real- the fear of speaking against a regime that will wipe out whole families simply for speaking the truth. I feel it as well.
Words themselves are resistance and I pray for a free Syria🤲
December 11, 2022
This graphic novel memoir is excellent, but it is also very intense. It deals with heavy and profoundly sad content related to the war in Syria, and because it is a graphic novel, it includes disturbing images instead of just disturbing words that the reader will mentally construe. Because of this, I think that it is best for teenagers and adults. My library has cataloged this as juvenile nonfiction, and the publisher recommends it for grades 3-9, but this will involve too much violence, death, and despair for many kids in that age range. I personally think this should be YA, especially since Najem was a teenager for so much of the narrative.
It is a privileged point of view to argue that children may not be able to handle reading this, when young children have lived through these events to the point where they think it is normal to look for spaces to hide from bombings. However, no child should ever have to experience this, in their real lives or vicariously. This graphic novel provides a means of bearing witness to horrific events, but I would encourage parents and educators to consider individual children's needs and sensitivities before potentially subjecting them to secondhand trauma.
It is a privileged point of view to argue that children may not be able to handle reading this, when young children have lived through these events to the point where they think it is normal to look for spaces to hide from bombings. However, no child should ever have to experience this, in their real lives or vicariously. This graphic novel provides a means of bearing witness to horrific events, but I would encourage parents and educators to consider individual children's needs and sensitivities before potentially subjecting them to secondhand trauma.
January 28, 2023
My 10-year-old recommend this book to me. There’s something pretty cool about sharing books with your kids their whole lives and then them being big enough to read something first and tell you about it because they think you would enjoy it too. And I did! What a great true story about a brave boy living in a war zone.
October 14, 2022
I really like the story of it. It was really interesting to learn about Muhammad and his life in Syria.
December 10, 2024
If you are looking for an accessible way to learn about what's been happening in Syria I highly recommend this and following Muhammad on social media!
July 29, 2022
This 320 page full color middle grade graphic novel is a powerful and moving read. The memoir focuses on the young Syrian boy who began reporting on the war from the perspective of children and sharing his work on social media. The raw emotion, the determination to make a difference, the familial love, are conveyed in a way that allows eight and nine year old readers to connect to living through horror with compassion and outrage and empathy. Older readers will also be drawn in and moved by the relatability of a boy their age having his world turned upside down. I particularly like how the book dispels so many assumptions and stereotypes by showing what life was like before the devastation, a bit about the role of outside forces and political oppression, and really creating a mood where you can imagine what you would do if you were in Muhammad's situation. The book is heavy, but also has a lot of hope and and joy. I tend to like nonfiction graphic novels that are character driven like this one. I find I understand the scope of what they are enduring by seeing it through their eyes and feeling like I know them and thus can better grasp what their reality is. There are photographs at the end which further connect the readers to Muhammad and Syria, and I hope this book finds its way into classrooms, libraries, homes, and hearts, so that we might be better to one another. Readers of When Stars are Scattered will similarly love this book.
SYNOPSIS:
The book begins with eight-year-old Muhammad hanging around his father's carpentry shop in Eastern Ghouta, playing soccer and pleading to by treats from the candy seller. When Assad's soldiers come, destroy his soccer ball, and his family warns him not to trust anyone, including the new candy seller, Muhammad's world is suddenly not so certain. When his family must seek shelter at a moments notice, homework is left, videogames paused, and fear very real.
Muhammad is the miracle child, born after the family didn't know if they could have any more children, he is the fourth, and spoiled. Even with destruction and sheltering though, there is joy, more children are born in to the family, and while Muhammad's status might be in question, his love of his little brother and sister, motivate him to do something to create a safer home.
At age 13, his father and uncle go for Jummah salat, and his father is killed while praying. At 15 Muhammad is done hiding, he knows he will never be safe and he starts filming and sharing stories of children as a way to honor is father and fight back against oppression.
With the support of his family, and constant worry that Assad's army will target him, Muhammad keeps telling the stories of those with no voice. Eventually his following grows, catches international attention, and gives Muhammad purpose.
WHY I LIKE IT:
I love the format for this story, you truly can't put it down. It shows the emotion so powerfully that you cry when characters are lost. You know hundreds die every day, but the singling in on a character that you have grown to love dying moves the reader, add in that you know this was a real person and that Muhammad really endured the loss, and it reminds you of your humanity. The love the characters all have for their oldest sister is absolutely incredible. The pages of the family just being so connected are my absolute favorites.
The characters are Muslim and it is a part of their daily lives, there is no pulling out of the narrative and explaining or preaching. The women wear hijab, they plead with Allah swt, they reflect on Allah's plan, they go for prayers at the masjid.
FLAGS:
Death, destruction, war, fear. It is not sensationalized, and I truly think middle grade and middle school readers will benefit from reading, even the sensitive ones.
TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:
I think the book would be wonderful to teach in the classroom tying literature, current events, and history together. I absolutely think every library, classroom, and home bookshelf should feature this book.
It can be pre-orderd here
SYNOPSIS:
The book begins with eight-year-old Muhammad hanging around his father's carpentry shop in Eastern Ghouta, playing soccer and pleading to by treats from the candy seller. When Assad's soldiers come, destroy his soccer ball, and his family warns him not to trust anyone, including the new candy seller, Muhammad's world is suddenly not so certain. When his family must seek shelter at a moments notice, homework is left, videogames paused, and fear very real.
Muhammad is the miracle child, born after the family didn't know if they could have any more children, he is the fourth, and spoiled. Even with destruction and sheltering though, there is joy, more children are born in to the family, and while Muhammad's status might be in question, his love of his little brother and sister, motivate him to do something to create a safer home.
At age 13, his father and uncle go for Jummah salat, and his father is killed while praying. At 15 Muhammad is done hiding, he knows he will never be safe and he starts filming and sharing stories of children as a way to honor is father and fight back against oppression.
With the support of his family, and constant worry that Assad's army will target him, Muhammad keeps telling the stories of those with no voice. Eventually his following grows, catches international attention, and gives Muhammad purpose.
WHY I LIKE IT:
I love the format for this story, you truly can't put it down. It shows the emotion so powerfully that you cry when characters are lost. You know hundreds die every day, but the singling in on a character that you have grown to love dying moves the reader, add in that you know this was a real person and that Muhammad really endured the loss, and it reminds you of your humanity. The love the characters all have for their oldest sister is absolutely incredible. The pages of the family just being so connected are my absolute favorites.
The characters are Muslim and it is a part of their daily lives, there is no pulling out of the narrative and explaining or preaching. The women wear hijab, they plead with Allah swt, they reflect on Allah's plan, they go for prayers at the masjid.
FLAGS:
Death, destruction, war, fear. It is not sensationalized, and I truly think middle grade and middle school readers will benefit from reading, even the sensitive ones.
TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:
I think the book would be wonderful to teach in the classroom tying literature, current events, and history together. I absolutely think every library, classroom, and home bookshelf should feature this book.
It can be pre-orderd here
May 30, 2025
Extraordinario
August 5, 2022
This #arc book had me sobbing and yet so grateful! Grateful that someone shone the spotlight on my beloved Syria and the truth was written for the world to see!
Genre: Middle Grade Graphic Novel
Age: 9-12 and up
Author: Muhammad Najem and Nora Neus
Illustrations/Art by Julie Robine
Published: @littlebrownyoungreaders
Muhammad tells his story of growing up in Eastern Ghouta and how his life was full of joy- until one day the Assad forces came. They bombed his home, took away his loved ones, and bombarded the city until everyone in it was starving and under seige. Muhammad’s father always told him everyone has a story- and so he set out to show it. He used his phone and social media to record what was happening and started posting online.
But it didn’t come without consequences, and his home and city were attacked even more. Muhammad and his family barely made it to Rebel-controlled Idlib, and from there, into Turkey, where Muhammad continues his reporting and posting to show the world the crimes of the Assad regime.
For such a heavy topic, this graphic novel does an AMAZING job of making the content appropriate for this age group. The emotion that came from the story, the words, and the art can only be describes as authentic and I found myself crying as I read Muhammad’s story and broken hearted that my birth country was and is still being broken by a cruel dictatorship that gives no thought to who it harms.
I really appreciated the honesty of the story. This is not a book in which the Syrian conflict is minimized or reduced to a civil war- the story of living under an oppressive dictatorship that is propped up by Russia and Iran, a dictatorship that is committing genocide against the sunni-majority population, a war against humanity with no mercy or care at the destruction it causes.
This story does end with hope, hope that continued coverage of Syria and the struggles Syrian face might somehow someday change the situation.
The fear of Muhammad is so real- the fear of speaking against a regime that will wipe out whole families simply for speaking the truth. I feel it as well.
Words themselves are resistance and I pray for a free Syria🤲
Genre: Middle Grade Graphic Novel
Age: 9-12 and up
Author: Muhammad Najem and Nora Neus
Illustrations/Art by Julie Robine
Published: @littlebrownyoungreaders
Muhammad tells his story of growing up in Eastern Ghouta and how his life was full of joy- until one day the Assad forces came. They bombed his home, took away his loved ones, and bombarded the city until everyone in it was starving and under seige. Muhammad’s father always told him everyone has a story- and so he set out to show it. He used his phone and social media to record what was happening and started posting online.
But it didn’t come without consequences, and his home and city were attacked even more. Muhammad and his family barely made it to Rebel-controlled Idlib, and from there, into Turkey, where Muhammad continues his reporting and posting to show the world the crimes of the Assad regime.
For such a heavy topic, this graphic novel does an AMAZING job of making the content appropriate for this age group. The emotion that came from the story, the words, and the art can only be describes as authentic and I found myself crying as I read Muhammad’s story and broken hearted that my birth country was and is still being broken by a cruel dictatorship that gives no thought to who it harms.
I really appreciated the honesty of the story. This is not a book in which the Syrian conflict is minimized or reduced to a civil war- the story of living under an oppressive dictatorship that is propped up by Russia and Iran, a dictatorship that is committing genocide against the sunni-majority population, a war against humanity with no mercy or care at the destruction it causes.
This story does end with hope, hope that continued coverage of Syria and the struggles Syrian face might somehow someday change the situation.
The fear of Muhammad is so real- the fear of speaking against a regime that will wipe out whole families simply for speaking the truth. I feel it as well.
Words themselves are resistance and I pray for a free Syria🤲
August 16, 2022
I started to read this, and couldn’t put it down. This is the story of a teen, living in the thick of the war in Syria, posting social media accounts of the destruction being done around him, hoping that someone out in the English speaking world would discover him, which they did at long last.
We follow him from the beginning of the bombing, until he finally relocates in Turkey, and does long distance reporting with the help of friends left behind.
This book was written with the help of the CNN reporter who found his story, online, and first wrote about him, to spread the word about his reporting.
Very stark, very honest, very sad but oh, so important to tell the story.
Beautifully illustrated, with all the destruction in full view, as well as the heartache.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
We follow him from the beginning of the bombing, until he finally relocates in Turkey, and does long distance reporting with the help of friends left behind.
This book was written with the help of the CNN reporter who found his story, online, and first wrote about him, to spread the word about his reporting.
Very stark, very honest, very sad but oh, so important to tell the story.
Beautifully illustrated, with all the destruction in full view, as well as the heartache.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
February 8, 2023
This graphic novel blew me away. Muhammed Najem is a Syrian teenager surviving the Syrian civil war of the last decade (2011-?) in various cities reduced to rubble in Syria: Eastern Ghouta and Idlib. Muhammed has survived amid total destruction of his country in both rebel held areas and Assad's forces closing in.
His Instagram page will take your breath away. He began posting as a young tween and recording his life or death experiences and interviewing other Syrian children suffering in the war. He even helped raise money for a prosthetic leg for an 8 year-old named Fatima, who lost her leg in the atrocities.
Fair warning: his Instagram page is not for the faint-hearted. He has sensitive content warnings for images that might be upsetting. However, he is literally documenting his traumatic childhood in a war zone - so it is fair for his engaged followers to decide for themselves if they choose to view his social media accounts. There are posts of his countrymen and women who have been gassed by Assad. And he is also reporting LIVE from the earthquakes in Syria and Turkey on this humanitarian disaster in mid-February 2023, pulling folks out of the rubble.
https://www.instagram.com/muhammadnaj...
His Instagram page will take your breath away. He began posting as a young tween and recording his life or death experiences and interviewing other Syrian children suffering in the war. He even helped raise money for a prosthetic leg for an 8 year-old named Fatima, who lost her leg in the atrocities.
Fair warning: his Instagram page is not for the faint-hearted. He has sensitive content warnings for images that might be upsetting. However, he is literally documenting his traumatic childhood in a war zone - so it is fair for his engaged followers to decide for themselves if they choose to view his social media accounts. There are posts of his countrymen and women who have been gassed by Assad. And he is also reporting LIVE from the earthquakes in Syria and Turkey on this humanitarian disaster in mid-February 2023, pulling folks out of the rubble.
https://www.instagram.com/muhammadnaj...
December 19, 2022
This memoir told in graphic novel format is set during the ongoing Syrian Civil War. Muhammad’s older brother made a living taking photographs of the aftermath of bombings which inspired Muhammad to also do something to help. At the age of 15, Muhammad began reporting on the war, focusing on the incredible toll the war has taken (and continues to take) on the citizens of Syria. His reports soon went viral and caught the attention of CNN. He especially focused his reporting on the impact the war has had on children who spent hours in underground shelters, lost loved ones to the bombings, lost their own lives, were critically injured, moved frequently when buildings were destroyed by bombs, and often went hungry. Najem’s story is truly inspirational – he shows the power that teens have to change the world and the importance of family to get through some truly horrific events.
October 21, 2025
I read this with my 8 yr old son and we both were deeply touched and changed by this retelling of Muhammed's story. Tonight we made yabrak together, I guided him through the steps of rolling the grape leaves and recalled my own childhood doing the same with my father. We followed the recipe at the end of the book and took a moment to appreciate how much we love being Syrian. I plan to make sure my local library has a copy of this book on its shelves.
I don't shield my kids from the realities of this world. While the subject and story are heavy, children have an immense capacity for empathy-- it is our responsibility to nurture it. Shielding children from books like this is the reason dehumanization and devaluing of human life in the MENA region exists today.
I don't shield my kids from the realities of this world. While the subject and story are heavy, children have an immense capacity for empathy-- it is our responsibility to nurture it. Shielding children from books like this is the reason dehumanization and devaluing of human life in the MENA region exists today.
May 31, 2023
A powerful memoir that provides an unflinching look at the life of a fifteen year old Syrian boy and his family during the Syrian war. As Muhammad grows up his life rapidly changes; taking shelter underground, living without power, and losing friends and family becomes the norm, yet the rest of the world doesn't seem to care. After his father is killed in an aerial strike on his community, Muhammad decides to take a stand and begins reporting on the war from his own perspective, sharing his personal narrative and stories from his community in hopes of reaching an international audience. This was an excellent graphic novel that brought me to tears multiple times while reading.
January 2, 2023
I am finding graphic memoirs to be a great way for someone's life story to be told. Muhammad Najem is an inspiration - and I hope my students find his story one they are amazed by.
February 25, 2023
This is such an important account of the atrocities of war by an incredibly brave young man who videotaped, interviewed, and reported during the unrelenting air strikes on his devastated country of Syria under the brutal Assad regime. I highly recommend this graphic novel
February 27, 2023
This was a great read.
March 13, 2023
Just as Muhammad Najem brought the reality of the Syrian war for children and families living there to the world’s attention via social media, so this graphic novel will humanise this kind of war for older children. Suited to year 6+.
May 27, 2023
MUST READ!!!
As sad and devastating as this book is I think this is a cool instance of the power of social media. We hear a lot of the bad things about social media but this kid (now young man) sharing the story about his home country and the regime that is destroying his homeland. This is a cool story of a young man developing into a young journalist as well! I hate that it took these circumstances for him to do that but this is a fantastic/heartbreaking story! Love the graphic novel illustrations too!
As sad and devastating as this book is I think this is a cool instance of the power of social media. We hear a lot of the bad things about social media but this kid (now young man) sharing the story about his home country and the regime that is destroying his homeland. This is a cool story of a young man developing into a young journalist as well! I hate that it took these circumstances for him to do that but this is a fantastic/heartbreaking story! Love the graphic novel illustrations too!
January 26, 2024
So powerful, and yet so wrong that a book like this has to be written. I especially liked the pictures of Muhammad and his family at the back.
April 4, 2024
Touching memoir in graphic novel form about a young man in Syria who is determined to capture the devastation the brutal Assad regime inflicts upon his own countrymen. By documenting it through video segments and social media posts, Najem makes an impression globally and nationally for his unwavering ability to spotlight the underdog. This is the kind of humanitarian story we should find ourselves not only rooting for, but actively contributing to and promoting toward world harmony.
June 7, 2024
I had never heard of Muhammad Najem until this book came out. Sadly, it fell further and further down my tbr list. Having read it now, I have a much better understanding of what it means to live during war and I think it's even more important now with everything happening around the world.
August 15, 2025
This is an incredible nonfiction graphic novel that can be read by anyone aged about 8 and up. As an adult, I could not put it down, the illustrations help to demonstrate the atrocities without any gore or glorification of violence. I highly recommend this to be read by anyone who can get their hands on it.
September 29, 2023
This book was incredible. I loved the visuals, descriptions, and reality of a situation that I didn't have a lot of information about from the perspective of someone going through such a difficult time. Although sad at times, the message of the power of sharing your story and that everyone has a story to tell is really wonderful in this.
November 6, 2022
A moving graphic memoir that brought tears to my eyes more than once.
October 27, 2022
Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy. I usually do not like graphic novels, but I could not put this down. The real life accounts are presented in a powerful way that is not too scary for younger readers. Even though I read the ARC on a black and white kindle, the illustrations are great. The photographs and information at the end were a great touch as well. The topics of war, refugees, family, and journalism can all be discussed. Thank you for a happy ending and a clean graphic novel to add to my classroom library.
October 24, 2024
Absolutely fascinating and such a well-done graphic novel for upper middle grade readers. The amount I learned as an adult about Syria from reading this was plentiful, so likely our young readers will learn even more.
April 4, 2023
This biography in graphic novel format will help readers in English-speaking countries understand what has been happening in Syria for the past decade - it covers the time period from 2011 to 2019 - through the point of view of a young man who uses his cell phone to record and share his direct experience.
The text is specific about which nations in the world funded or supplied weapons or personnel used in Syria (Turkey, Saudi Arabia, US, Iraq, Russia, Iran, as well as organizations - the UN and ISIS), but doesn't ascribe blame on anyone more specific outside of the Syrian government.
However, the text and illustrations - depicting the reality from news reporters including this young man - repeatedly make it clear that President Bashar al-Assad's military is brutally attacking their own civilians.
The love and caring of Muhammad Najem and his family give readers a thread of hope throughout the disastrous war, and the illustrations focusing on people's faces help readers stay connected when the facts would otherwise feel overwhelming.
The realistic style has bright colored clothing, even when the city is in rubble, and the panels are graphically dynamic, well-framed, clearly legible, and moving. The appearance will feel similar to the many realistic-fiction stories that middle-grade readers enjoy - as if it is using the same visual language.
I am excited to recommend this book to readers who enjoy history or historical fiction, but will shelve it with our graphic novels so readers who don't know they want it will find it there, too.
The text is specific about which nations in the world funded or supplied weapons or personnel used in Syria (Turkey, Saudi Arabia, US, Iraq, Russia, Iran, as well as organizations - the UN and ISIS), but doesn't ascribe blame on anyone more specific outside of the Syrian government.
However, the text and illustrations - depicting the reality from news reporters including this young man - repeatedly make it clear that President Bashar al-Assad's military is brutally attacking their own civilians.
The love and caring of Muhammad Najem and his family give readers a thread of hope throughout the disastrous war, and the illustrations focusing on people's faces help readers stay connected when the facts would otherwise feel overwhelming.
The realistic style has bright colored clothing, even when the city is in rubble, and the panels are graphically dynamic, well-framed, clearly legible, and moving. The appearance will feel similar to the many realistic-fiction stories that middle-grade readers enjoy - as if it is using the same visual language.
I am excited to recommend this book to readers who enjoy history or historical fiction, but will shelve it with our graphic novels so readers who don't know they want it will find it there, too.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 6, 2023
10/10 would recommend! A MUST READ!
Absolutely amazing account of Muhammad Najem’s life in Syria during the revolution and war and how he became a reporter and despite his efforts of course the world doesn’t care about Black and Brown people dying even if there are children dying. But especially because they’re Muslim people despite other faiths living in Syria and the islamophobia so no one cares coz only Muslims are dying hence the whole We dont want to accept refugees because you are Muslim and can’t integrate into our society etc
But a wonderful story of his life and the reality of living in a war torn country but The power of having a voice and social media and hope can change everything.
Sad that this book has to exist due to war but also grateful that more Syrian people are getting to tell their own story!
Everyone has a story!
Absolutely beautiful and incredible and heartbreaking but a simply MUST read!
If you loved WHEN STARS ARE SCATTERED then you will LOVE this!
There is also Escape from Syria graphic novel but We defo need more!
Leaving your home is never easy but when you ate living in a war torn country, as he said, sometimes you don’t have a choice.
Absolutely amazing account of Muhammad Najem’s life in Syria during the revolution and war and how he became a reporter and despite his efforts of course the world doesn’t care about Black and Brown people dying even if there are children dying. But especially because they’re Muslim people despite other faiths living in Syria and the islamophobia so no one cares coz only Muslims are dying hence the whole We dont want to accept refugees because you are Muslim and can’t integrate into our society etc
But a wonderful story of his life and the reality of living in a war torn country but The power of having a voice and social media and hope can change everything.
Sad that this book has to exist due to war but also grateful that more Syrian people are getting to tell their own story!
Everyone has a story!
Absolutely beautiful and incredible and heartbreaking but a simply MUST read!
If you loved WHEN STARS ARE SCATTERED then you will LOVE this!
There is also Escape from Syria graphic novel but We defo need more!
Leaving your home is never easy but when you ate living in a war torn country, as he said, sometimes you don’t have a choice.
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