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Reviewed by: Lisa Rice, Middle School Librarian Title: Wild Poppies
Author: Haya Saleh Illustrator:
Publisher: Levine Querido
Year: 2023 Good for Grades: 5-9 Genre/Type of Book: J fiction, adventure, historical fiction, sibling relationships, war
Content Warnings, or things that other School Librarians should be aware of: description of war, death of a parent, suicide mission
Recommended for a school library: Yes Reason(s) for choosing the book: I loved the cover as it reminded me of a Georgia O'Keefe painting!
If you were tasked by the publisher with writing a short quote for the back cover of this book, what would it be:
"Iron sharpens iron." -Pa, page 12
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Review:
This book takes place during the Syrian Civil War. Omar and his sister Thoraya and his younger brother's father died trying to get his family to safety after their home was destroyed. They are now living right outside a refugee camp in Al-Nuaman (which means "the poppy flower" because of all the wild poppies that grow there during the spring) at his Aunt Sajida's house. Shy, timid Omar knows that he is expected to now be the leader of the family and keep them safe and wishes that he could be more like his outspoken, confident younger brother, Sufyan. Sufyan knows that Omar is in over his head and unable to be a leader. Sufyan, according to Mama, is a troublemaker and will always be a troublemaker (page 28). Mama has diabetes and kidney disease and is unable to get her prescriptions refilled because there is no money. The story is told from both Omar and Sufyan's point of view.
Violent gangs start coming into the area and with the gangs also comes flogging, stoning, kidnapping, imprisonment, torturing, killing, and convincing younger boys to join the cause. Omar sees that they are dangerous and stays away; Sufyan sees joining as an opportunity to support the family and get medication for Mama. He is trained to be a sniper and when he starts to question his decision, he is reminded that he will be taking his rightful revenge on the unbelievers who killed his father. If Sufyan stays committed, they will protect him and his family and is given instructions to forget about the outside world and everything in it. It was interesting to see the pull of these groups and how convincing they are and how they prey upon the people who need help the most.
I have not read many (any?) books about the Syrian Civil War, nor do I have many books about it in my middle school library, so this book is a keeper. I recommend it. I appreciated hearing about the war and their different perspectives on how to survive from both brothers. The societal expectations put on these young men that lead to toxic masculinity was horrifying. And while there is violence, death, abuse, and grief, it is ultimately a book about hope and survival during war.
If I were using this book in a class or as part of a book club, I would want students to pick and defend the sides/choices of Omar and Sufyan. Why did they make the choice they did? How did it work out for them? How did it not work out for them? What choice would you have made and why? How did their choices affect the rest of the family? I hope reading this book might springboard some research on the Syrian Civil War.
It has such a beautiful cover and yet is a book about the atrocities of war. It reminded me of a book I love and used every year in my ancient civilizations class, The Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis. It was easy to get into really good discussions about war and choices and the humanities. This book may take some prompting to get my middle schoolers to check it out and read it, but it will be so worthwhile when they do.
Number of party hats:
For more information about this book, see the publisher's website
Find resources and activities for Wild Poppies at TeachingBooks.net
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