Children of War - Hardcover

Ellis, Deborah

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0888999070 ISBN 13: 9780888999078

Publisher: Groundwood Books, 2009

Synopsis

Five years have passed since the U.S. and its allies invaded Iraq, and true democracy has yet to come. Four million Iraqis have been displaced; half are living in desolate tent camps, the others mostly stuck in Jordan and Syrian. All face uncertain futures. In this book, Deborah Ellis turns her attention to the war's most tragic victims — Iraqi children. She interviews more than 20 young Iraqis, mostly refugees living in Jordan, but also a few trying to build new lives in North America. Some families left Iraq with money; others are penniless, ill, or disabled. Most of the parents are working illegally or not at all, and the fear of deportation is a constant threat. The children speak for themselves, with little editorial comment, and their stories are frank, harrowing, and often reveal a surprising resilience in surviving the consequences of a war in which they played no part.

About this title

From Booklist:

*Starred Review* As in Three Wishes: Palestinian and Israeli Children Speak (2004), Ellis gets behind the news images and lets the most vulnerable civilians bear witness to what today’s wars are doing to their lives. With the help of interpreters, she interviews child refugees from Iraq, now living in Jordan, and a few who have made it to Canada. A brief general introduction talks about the contemporary politics and the ethnic and religious diversity, and Ellis is clear about the brutality of Saddam, his fall, the role of oil in the conflict, the U.S. invasion, and bombing. Accompanying each of the following interviews with young people is a brief introduction and a photo, although a few children didn’t want to be identified. Some have strong opinions for and against Saddam and the U.S.; most do not. What is haunting are their graphic recent memories of what they witnessed, including school bombings, violence against their families, arrests, and displacement. One hates the invaders; another bonds with an American soldier who comes to search for weapons. Many live in a foreign country that does not want them. An important, current title that will have lasting significance. Grades 7-12. --Hazel Rochman

Review:

Long-listed for the OLA Silver Birch Nonfiction Award, 2010

A USBBY Outstanding International Book, 2010

"An important, current title that will have lasting significance." — Booklist, starred review

"...The voices are poignant, insightful, angry and hopeful...An important chronicle of war and the world's most vulnerable." — Kirkus, starred review

"Eye-opening...unforgettable and though-provoking&hellip" — Quill & Quire

About this edition

• Publisher: Groundwood Books
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 0888999070
• ISBN 13: 9780888999078
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 144