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Nour's Secret Library Hardcover – Picture Book, March 29, 2022

by Wafa' Tarnowska (Author), Vali Mintzi (Illustrator)
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 27 ratings
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★ “A beautiful and poignant coming-of-age book . . . Based on the author’s and illustrator’s personal experiences, this unique war story is full of hope and resilience that shines through even the worst of situations” – School Library Journal, starred review

Forced to take shelter when their Syrian city is plagued with bombings, young Nour and her cousin begin to bravely build a secret underground library. Based on the author’s own life experience and inspired by a true story, Nour’s Secret Library is about the power of books to heal, transport and create safe spaces during difficult times. Illustrations by Romanian artist Vali Mintzi superimpose the colorful world the children construct over black-and-white charcoal depictions of the battered city.
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Previous page
  1. Reading age
    6 - 10 years
  2. Print length
    32 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    1 - 5
  5. Lexile measure
    900
  6. Dimensions
    8.8 x 0.4 x 10.8 inches
  7. Publisher
    Barefoot Books
  8. Publication date
    March 29, 2022
  9. ISBN-10
    1646862910
  10. ISBN-13
    978-1646862917
  11. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 1-4-When Damascus, once a city of blooming roses, cherries, and apricots, becomes destroyed by war, Nour and Amir are forced to take shelter with their families in the small basement of their house. Despite the scary bombings, they start collecting books from the rubble and start a secret library called "Al-Fajr," or "dawn." This is a beautiful and poignant coming-of-age book. Everything about childhood is as it should be: a busy neighborhood, the sights and smells of a thriving community, bustling markets, and happy school children, who are dreaming and plotting their secret missions and imagining a world bigger than their dreams. It is a universal tale of how creative a child's mind can truly be. However, this book also takes readers on a heartbreaking journey and offers insight into how bombardments and warfare destroy a community and affect the most vulnerable. This book shows the spirit of the children and communicates that no matter the devastation around them, they will still find a way to dream of a better world. Black-and-white charcoal illustrations of the battered city are overlaid with the colorful world to depict the wrecked city. Back matter and the glossary provides an excellent opportunity to learn about Syria and famous libraries of the Middle East. VERDICT Based on the author's and illustrator's personal experiences, this unique war story is full of hope and resilience that shines through even the worst of situations.-Noureen Qadir-Jafarα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Review

★ “A beautiful and poignant coming-of-age book . . . Based on the author’s and illustrator’s personal experiences, this unique war story is full of hope and resilience that shines through even the worst of situations” – School Library Journal, starred review

“This dual story—one of destruction, and one of preservation and hope—focuses on the importance of reading during war and the cultural role of libraries and knowledge, especially during times of crisis” – The Horn Book Magazine

“As their city is ravaged by war, two children and their community create an oasis of hope amid the destruction . . . A warm, engaging, and informative book that’s a valuable addition to children’s literature about war and conflict” – Kirkus Reviews

“Inspired by a true story and the author’s own childhood experience, Nour’s Secret Library conveys the comfort and hope books and libraries offer in times of struggle” – Anne Thompson, A Library Lady

“In ‘Nour’s Secret Library,’ books are a refuge for a community under attack” – Wall Street Journal

“A beautifully told and illustrated story of hope and community” – The Guardian

“Books prove ‘a safe port in a sea of war’ when conflict comes to Damascus in this affecting picture book” – Publishers Weekly

“This picture book tells the story, inspired by reality, of Syrian cousins who salvage books from bombed buildings and create a secret library in a basement, which offers a refuge from war. Lyrically told and attractively illustrated, it is a celebration for book lovers anywhere” – Sunday Times

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Barefoot Books (March 29, 2022)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1646862910
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1646862917
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 6 - 10 years
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 900
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 1 - 5
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 14.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.8 x 0.4 x 10.8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 27 ratings

About the author

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Wafa'. Tarnowska

Wafa'. Tarnowska

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Wafa' Tarnowska was born in Lebanon and has also lived in Australia, India, Poland, Cyprus and the UAE. She currently lives in the UK.

Wafa' has held a variety of jobs before becoming full time writer. She was editor of a feminist magazine, a radio broadcaster, a journalist, a language teacher, a head-hunter and a CSR Consultant.

She has written 7 children's books and two grownup books which were translated into several languages, including the Award Winning Arabian Nights which won the American Folklore Society Aesop Accolade, the Moonbeam Award Gold Medal Winner and the Smithsonian Magazine Notable Book for Children in 2011. The Paperback edition published in 2012, is now part of the Barefoot Books Independent Readers line.

Her latest book, "Nour’s Secret Library" won the 2022 IPPY Gold Award for illustrated children’s books. It won the Gold Nautilus Award for 2023 as well as second place at the Diverse Book Award in the Picture book category in Oct 2023. Nour was featured in the Wall Street Journal, the Times, the Guardian and The Sunday Times as one of the best children’s books of 2022/2023. Nour has also been longlisted for the World Illustration Awards.

Its 1,5 minutes long trailer on you tube has been viewed 24,000 times.

Wafa' has also translated several children's books from English to Arabic for Mantra Lingua as well as a play for the Edinburgh Festival and documentaries for major TV channels.

Wafa' regards her work is a valuable bridge between East and West, helping to break down the stereotypical images that Western people have about the Middle East.

Wafa’s great passions in life are writing, translation, story telling and travelling. She goes on holidays to weird and wonderful places. She loves visiting schools and participating in literary festivals in the UK and abroad to meet children and read to them.

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
27 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

June Price
5.0 out of 5 stars Books bring hope in the midst of war
Reviewed in the United States on April 5, 2024
Inspired by a true story and dedicated to all children of war, this short book carries a powerful message. Sadly, it's a message as relevant today as it was when it was released in 2022. We get a brief look at Nour's pre-war life, one of family and fun...and books. She and her cousin Amir loved reading detective and mystery stories and dreamed of creating a sort of secret society. They day their friends were to meet to begin this adventure, however, an all-too-real adventure begins. Bombs start falling and the families are forced to flee to a basement for safety. The illustrations, which begin with light, warm, earth colors of sunshine and blue skies soon darkens, with black and dark depictions of the destruction about their once beautiful town. In the basement, however, amazing things are happening. Nour and Amir are building a soon not-so-secret library from books found blown into the streets by the force of the bombings or discarded in the rush to safety. This is their story, one of both the power of books and the hope for a better tomorrow for Nour and Amir and all those who live there.

Sadly, we know peace didn't come to the Middle East. Just as the lives of Nour and Amir were upended, bombs fall throughout the world disrupting, ending, and changing the lives of many, both adults and children. The uncertainty of war is depicted, as is the human need to find solace, a safe spot, so to speak, in books. I recall as meme I saw recently that said basically that reading is the means to travel to wondrous places while being unable to leave your home or, in this case, safe spot. This book showcases that hope, so while very clear in its depiction of how war changed lives, it also shows how the human spirit can rise above it all. How, in the midst of war, something beautiful, the library shared by so many, can be created. The often dream like illustrations add greatly to the story and despite the warfare, no lives being lost are mentioned. This is, after all, a story for children and what books can do for them, not destruction.

Bottom line, while the location has changed, this book would be an excellent introduction to children of how others have coped. Books are obviously the central element but the togetherness and cooperation of those trapped in an otherwise desolate area are also themes that can be emphasized. The comparison of this war, in Syria, and current wars, who knows which or how many by the time this review hits print, can also be a strong teaching tool. The author and illustrator both supply short bios, so to speak, that show the relevance to their lives. There is also a glossary and timeline of both history and the libraries down through the area, a reminder that there are consistent elements in people's lives everywhere. My sincere thanks to #NetGalley and #BarefootBooks for bringing this book to my attention. Books are powerful.
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Aly - Mythic Melancholy
5.0 out of 5 stars A picture book that is both heart-breaking and heart-warming while being filled with wonderful art.
Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2024
A picture book that is both heart-breaking and heart-warming while being filled with wonderful art.

"The world of books is wonderful, Nour thought, looking at the pile of books around her. Like a galaxy full of stars. Some are shinier than others, but together they make the sky sparkle."

You could pull a beautiful quote from nearly every page in this children's book. But, I think the one above may be my favorite. It's a moment of hope and light in a story that feels quite sad.

Inspired by a true story, as well as the author's own experiences, this book introduces children to what kids around the world go through in times of war. The story however is not too heavy for kids and carries a message of prevailing hopefulness. This book would be a great addition to any family's library.
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Esther Filbrun
4.0 out of 5 stars An unusual, but sweet story!
Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2024
This is such a sweet story! I read it to my two youngest siblings last night, and while I was reading, several other family members gathered around to listen, too. A picture of hope in the middle of destruction, this book is a celebration of family, friendship, and literature. As a book lover, I appreciated the way books brought this community together and the way books helped them through a difficult time. The illustrations in this book were beautiful and bright, and I particularly enjoyed the notes at the end from the author and illustrator. Books like this are a great way to introduce children to other cultures and give them a bit of a glimpse into the trouble other children face at times (although done gently, this book does talk about bombed homes, lack of water, and food shortages). Highly recommended!

I was given a complimentary copy of this book, and this is my honest opinion of it.
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Hestia Istiviani
5.0 out of 5 stars The spirit of reading and learning
Reviewed in the United States on April 18, 2024
I didn't expect I would loving this book. I read it just because it has "library" on the title. But, I was wrong!
Nour's Secret Library is about the spirit of keep on reading and learning to fight back for the injustice. It doesn't have to be a grand movement. You can start by bringing one book to the community, ask them to go with you to the library, and talk about whatever they are reading.

This is also book contains of hope. Whenever Nour and friends face something bad (because of the war and attack), they can always run into the secret library. Hide in a "safest" place while still exploring the world through books.

I would definitely recommend this book to my friends and followers.

Thank you NetGalley for this opportunity!
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C. Crawford
5.0 out of 5 stars What is War Like for a Child?
Reviewed in the United States on April 3, 2024
What a wonderful story combined with a history book. This book would be a great way to teach young and middle aged children about war - especially since they are likely hearing about it while it currently goes on in different parts of the world. I love the way this story is told and really liked the last few pages that gave a little more information about where the story came from, famous libraries, and maps and info about Syria, where the story takes place. Beautiful illustrations with such detail. Loved this book so much!
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Sharif
5.0 out of 5 stars the power of community and the power of reading
Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2024
Nour’s Secret Library is a stellar picture book about the power of community and the power of reading. Nour and her cousin gather abandoned books to create an underground library in their area of war-torn Syria. As destruction rages outside, people come together to be both educated and entertained in this secret library. The text and illustrations evoke all sorts of images and feelings. There is the coziness of a basement library, but at the same time the dread and horrors of wartime are present. The backmatter indicates that something similar happened to the author. The illustrator also added notes about her connection to books during times of stress.
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Top reviews from other countries

Deborah holland
5.0 out of 5 stars A story for our time, a must read for all ages.
Reviewed in Australia on June 7, 2022
Verified Purchase
It is hard not to be touched by the narrative of Nour’s Secret Library. It is a story of hope that shines out against a blanket of sadness that has been experienced by so many children around the globe. Waft Tarnowska beautifully reflects our world’s longing for peace. A must read for all ages.
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