A touching story about the horrors of war and the difficulties of a life
in exile, this novel focuses on the travails of a Catholic Iraqi family.
Dalil is a 13-year-old boy living through the perils of the Gulf War.
Amid the deafening blast of bombs and the constant threat of missile
attacks, only one thing brings him happiness: his friend Shaima. His
love for her is the only bright spot in an existence otherwise plagued
by fear, uncertainty, and incomprehension. As his family s situation
becomes untenable, they must decide between remaining in Iraq or joining
Dalil s uncle in France. The thought of leaving his homeland behind
leaves Dalil with conflicting emotions: on the one hand, he is desperate
to leave behind the war. On the other, however, he is unable to imagine
a life without Shaima. This beautifully wrought tale will resonate with
young adult readers.
Una conmovedora historia sobre los horrores de la guerra y las
dificultades de una vida en el exilio, esta novela se centra en una
familia catolica iraqui. Dalil es un nino de 13 anos viviendo los
peligros de la Guerra del Golfo. En medio del sonido ensordecedor de las
bombas y la amenaza de los misiles, solo una cosa le hace feliz: su
amiga Shaima. El amor que siente por la nina es lo unico que le permite
superar un dia a dia marcado por el miedo, la incertidumbre y la
incomprension. A medida que la situacion de su familia se hace
insostenible, tienen que decidir entre quedarse en Irak o reunirse en
Francia con el tio de Dalil. La idea de dejar su pais natal provoca en
Dalil sentimientos encontrados: por un lado, quiere dejar atras la
guerra, pero por otro, no es capaz de imaginarse su vida sin Shaima.
Esta historia bellamente narrada resonara con los lectores jovenes."
