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6,000 Miles to Freedom: Two Boys and Their Flight from the Taliban
Two boys. One war-torn country. A world away, freedom.
Twelve-year-old Adel and his cousin Shafi try to lead a normal childhood in war-torn Afghanistan. But when Adel’s father dies, everything changes. His uncle, a religious fundamentalist, sends Adel to study at a madrasa run by militants, where he is trained as an insurgent and chosen to carry out a suicide bombing. When his moment of martyrdom arrives, Adel’s detonator fails, and he is forced to flee the country or risk being killed by the Afghan police or the Taliban themselves.
Together, Adel and Shafi set out to seek refuge in England, where Shafi’s brother now lives and where a new life awaits. With that hope, the two boys begin the perilous journey of 6,000 miles to freedom, crossing mountains on foot and squeezing into crowded trucks with other refugees. The two become separated only to find each other again in the Calais Jungle encampment, their last, hellish stop.
Based on numerous testimonies from refugee youth, this poignant, timely, and well-documented story brings to life the traumatic experiences faced by Afghani children fleeing war and poverty, as well as the isolation they often feel as refugees in the West.
Twelve-year-old Adel and his cousin Shafi try to lead a normal childhood in war-torn Afghanistan. But when Adel’s father dies, everything changes. His uncle, a religious fundamentalist, sends Adel to study at a madrasa run by militants, where he is trained as an insurgent and chosen to carry out a suicide bombing. When his moment of martyrdom arrives, Adel’s detonator fails, and he is forced to flee the country or risk being killed by the Afghan police or the Taliban themselves.
Together, Adel and Shafi set out to seek refuge in England, where Shafi’s brother now lives and where a new life awaits. With that hope, the two boys begin the perilous journey of 6,000 miles to freedom, crossing mountains on foot and squeezing into crowded trucks with other refugees. The two become separated only to find each other again in the Calais Jungle encampment, their last, hellish stop.
Based on numerous testimonies from refugee youth, this poignant, timely, and well-documented story brings to life the traumatic experiences faced by Afghani children fleeing war and poverty, as well as the isolation they often feel as refugees in the West.
128 pages, Hardcover
Published May 10, 2022
64 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
July 3, 2022
Young Adel and Shafi flee from their country because of the Taliban. They travel from Afghanistan to England and make 6000 miles in the car, crammed in a van, by foot,... Their journey is longer than they expected and full of danger.
I liked the art. Illustrations start with a brown color, but the color changes in different parts of their way.
Thanks to Graphic Mundi - PSU Press for the ARC and this opportunity! This is a voluntary review and all opinions are my own.
I liked the art. Illustrations start with a brown color, but the color changes in different parts of their way.
Thanks to Graphic Mundi - PSU Press for the ARC and this opportunity! This is a voluntary review and all opinions are my own.
December 1, 2022
Very good, I hope to write a full review shortly.
February 14, 2026
Based on true (composite) stories of the thousands of refugees who have sought asylum in the EU and the UK, the subject matter was harrowing, but it highlights the humanity behind the migrant crisis.
January 14, 2022
https://www.deviantquill.com/post/6-0...
These were 128 pages of heartbreak. The past 10 years have seen an increase in the debate on immigrants from the Middle East, on the dangers some pose (which nobody denies) but we forgot to look at the lives of the innocent. The story presented has fictional characters, but it's based on true events and testimonies from survivors. We should all agree on the fact a 10-year-old is too young to embark on such a dangerous journey, but it happens, and with a good reason.
The book presents the tragic adventures of a few boys fleeing Afganistan, after one of them was forced to become a martyr for the extremists. He was put in a suicide bomb vest and asked to blow up a police station. He escaped, and that's where his 6000-mile journey begins. He and his companions endure abuse at the hands of the smugglers, are beaten by thieves, eat leaves and grass to survive, sleep in the cold, and are constantly in danger in the attempt to reach England. It's an eye-opening testimony to the suffering these children must endure to reach safety. They're just as afraid of extremists as the rest of the world. Is this book enough to make us kinder and more sympathetic? I don't know, but the author and the visual artist did a wonderful job in bringing it to us.
Review copy provided by Diamond Books @ Edelweiss+
These were 128 pages of heartbreak. The past 10 years have seen an increase in the debate on immigrants from the Middle East, on the dangers some pose (which nobody denies) but we forgot to look at the lives of the innocent. The story presented has fictional characters, but it's based on true events and testimonies from survivors. We should all agree on the fact a 10-year-old is too young to embark on such a dangerous journey, but it happens, and with a good reason.
The book presents the tragic adventures of a few boys fleeing Afganistan, after one of them was forced to become a martyr for the extremists. He was put in a suicide bomb vest and asked to blow up a police station. He escaped, and that's where his 6000-mile journey begins. He and his companions endure abuse at the hands of the smugglers, are beaten by thieves, eat leaves and grass to survive, sleep in the cold, and are constantly in danger in the attempt to reach England. It's an eye-opening testimony to the suffering these children must endure to reach safety. They're just as afraid of extremists as the rest of the world. Is this book enough to make us kinder and more sympathetic? I don't know, but the author and the visual artist did a wonderful job in bringing it to us.
Review copy provided by Diamond Books @ Edelweiss+
September 10, 2022
It's a great subject matter. The basis of a true story certainly provides enough fodder for a great story. The illustrations are compelling, and you do, in fact, start caring about the characters. Having read other graphic novels tackling this subject, I gave this two stars because there is too much yelling between the characters and not enough character development. In addition, there is no way this journey was accomplished without heroically decent people assisting in unexpected ways. These people are conspicuously absent, although there are a surfeit of villains. The generosity shown me by complete strangers in my travels to war zones, combined with my own awareness of numerous NGOs and citizens assisting and the fact they had no money, but made it to Calais - there is missing generosity here - including from fellow refugees. With so much yelling, villainous behavior and callous disregard, combined with the sepia tones - it makes for an unnecessarily overly bleak tale. The end is also vague. HAKIM'S ODYSSEY is much better, as is WHEN STARS ARE SCATTERED - both masterfully done.
December 31, 2021
I received a free ARC of this book from the publisher and edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
This story was intriguing, suspenseful, and sad. As the title states, it’s the true story of two boys who fled the taliban in their home country in an attempt to find safety with their cousin in England. The trip was incredibly dangerous and difficult, it’s amazing anyone survived the trek. We hear about refugees fleeing the taliban frequently, but rarely do we get to hear individual stories, particularly those of children. I wish more of these stories would be reported on the major news networks.
This story was intriguing, suspenseful, and sad. As the title states, it’s the true story of two boys who fled the taliban in their home country in an attempt to find safety with their cousin in England. The trip was incredibly dangerous and difficult, it’s amazing anyone survived the trek. We hear about refugees fleeing the taliban frequently, but rarely do we get to hear individual stories, particularly those of children. I wish more of these stories would be reported on the major news networks.
May 1, 2022
I received a digital ARC of this graphic novel and OMG is it so good. You are taken right into Afghanistan 2015 as a young boy is first sent to a Taliban Madaras to become a suicide bomber.. when his bomb doesn't go off he flees back to his family who makes the decision to have him escape to England. What follows is a harrowing journey through Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey, and Europe. Marchetti doesn't hide from the unpleasant details and the stories of smugglers, aid workers, and people who take advantage of unaccompanied minors will make you mad.
June 28, 2022
The intention of highlighting the tragedy that happens with forced migration is noble and laudable, but it is not as effective as it could have been. It seemed a bit too focused on the plot and the trip and not enough on the characters.
October 18, 2025
Extremely moving. The character of Adel is immensely likeable. The character of Shafi is terribly unlikable, but we still feel Adel's pain when things happen to Shafi. It's very well written and makes you cry at the end.
Want to read
December 14, 2021Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.
Read
May 16, 2022Review for Diamond Bookshelf pending
December 25, 2022
Not many words, but the emotion, sadness and desperation of the story comes forward through the artwork.
January 7, 2023
TW: extreme violence, death, bombs, knives, guns, etc.
Very heartbreaking story, heavy read but didn't take long. I liked the idea of the book but I probably wouldn't read it again.
Very heartbreaking story, heavy read but didn't take long. I liked the idea of the book but I probably wouldn't read it again.
January 15, 2023
The subject matter was solid, but there were a lot of big jumps and the ending was unclear. The illustrations and text were a little dark and difficult to read/see at times. It was just ok.
January 21, 2023
Tough read based on 'numerous testimonies from refugee youth'
Perhaps a good assignment for high school students to expose them to the realities of the world.
Perhaps a good assignment for high school students to expose them to the realities of the world.
March 20, 2023
An amalgamation of stories collected from refugees, this graphic novel is a harrowing view into the life of a young boy escaping the Taliban, hoping for a better future for his family
June 18, 2024
Tragic, heartbreaking, but it was so objective that it really didn't stir the depths.
March 17, 2022
I received an eARC copy from Graphic Mundi - PSU Press and Diamond Books via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
A heartbreak graphic novel is a perfect description. A young boy is being forced to become a martyr for the extremists in Afghanistan, and when he escapes that fate, he flees the country with a few other young boys. That's when the tragic adventure for survival begins. Safety has never been more out of reach; the boys are eating grass to survive, sleep in the cold, and suffer from the hands of smugglers, contriving many a way to get through the difficult times.
This riveting, sober statement of endurance calls for sympathy, kindness, and understanding. These boys, just like the rest of the world, are afraid of violence and extremists; they too fear for their lives, and they also want to "have a chance for a new life, far from the madness they grew up in. And with that hope, these two young boys begin the perilous journey of 5,967 miles to freedom." Good luck!
A heartbreak graphic novel is a perfect description. A young boy is being forced to become a martyr for the extremists in Afghanistan, and when he escapes that fate, he flees the country with a few other young boys. That's when the tragic adventure for survival begins. Safety has never been more out of reach; the boys are eating grass to survive, sleep in the cold, and suffer from the hands of smugglers, contriving many a way to get through the difficult times.
This riveting, sober statement of endurance calls for sympathy, kindness, and understanding. These boys, just like the rest of the world, are afraid of violence and extremists; they too fear for their lives, and they also want to "have a chance for a new life, far from the madness they grew up in. And with that hope, these two young boys begin the perilous journey of 5,967 miles to freedom." Good luck!
November 8, 2025
Adel and his cousin Shafi (two young boys) leave Afghanistan fleeing the Taliban to get to England. Along the way they are abused, beaten, cheated, robbed and lied to. This GN is based on the testimonial of many who have fled Afghanistan; as 'composite characters' there story represents what so many have suffered. Not for the faint of heart - highest recommendation.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews