syria

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.

"Salma dreams of becoming a champion swimmer like her hero, Olympian Yusra Mardini. So when she signs up for her school's swim club, it feels like her dreams could come true . . . until mean comments from older girls at the pool and women at her mosque spark body image and self-esteem issues. But with the help of her close friends and family--the team that always has her back--Salma is ready to claim her place in the pool"--Provided by publisher.

Muzoon was fourteen years old when her family made the wrenching decision to leave their home in Syria. War had begun. Peaceful protests were met with shootings. Next, bombs were flying overhead. Even still, Muzoon wanted to stay. What would become of her in a refugee camp? Would there be a school there? Would she ever be able to go home again? In this inspiring memoir, Muzoon shares how she grew up as a refugee. And how she spoke up for what she needed: A chance to learn. A chance to make a difference. Muzoon wasn't just fighting for herself--she wanted to help other refugee kids, too. And she shows how one stubborn, determined girl can change the world.

A former piano prodigy who lost his hand in the war, Naim Rahil, a teenage Syrian refugee, struggles to thrive in America where he finds his life inextricably linked--over time and distance--to another refugee by the perils of history and a single haunting piece of music.

Thirteen-year-old Safiya and her family have been driven out of Syria by civil war. Safiya knows how lucky she is not to be living in a refugee camp, lucky to be alive. But it's hard to feel grateful when she's forced to look after her father and brother rather than go back to school, and now that she's lost her home, she's lonelier than ever. As they struggle to rebuild their lives, Safiya realizes that her family has always been incomplete and with her own future in the balance, it's time to uncover the secrets that war has kept buried.

"Salma dreams of becoming a champion swimmer like her hero, Olympian Yusra Mardini. So when she signs up for her school's swim club, it feels like her dreams could come true . . . until mean comments from older girls at the pool and women at her mosque spark body image and self-esteem issues. But with the help of her close friends and family--the team that always has her back--Salma is ready to claim her place in the pool"--Provided by publisher.

"Salma is going to be a big sister! She's determined to be the best sister ever, so she sets out to write the ultimate guidebook to siblinghood. But the more Salma learns about siblings, the more confused she gets, especially since her mama is fighting with her own brother, Khalou Dawood, about who he loves. Can Salma figure out what it means to be a good sister before the baby arrives?"--Provided by publisher.

Publisher Annotation: Growing up in East Aleppo, Yara's childhood has long been shadowed by the coming revolution. But when the Arab Spring finally arrives at Yara's doorstep, it is worse than even her Nana imagined: sudden, violent, and deadly. When rescuers dig Yara out from under the rubble that was once her family's home, she emerges to a changed world. Her parents and Nana are gone, and her brother, Saad, can't speak--struck silent by everything he's seen. Now, with her friend Shireen and Shireen's charismatic brother, Ali, Yara must try to find a way to safety. With danger around every corner, Yara is pushed to her limits as she discovers how far she'll go for her loved ones--and for a chance for freedom.

"This eye-opening memoir tells the story of a young girl's life in Syria, her family's wrenching decision to leave their home, and the upheaval of life in a refugee camp. Though her life had utterly changed, one thing remained the same. She knew that education was the key to a better future--for herself, and so that she could help her country. She went from tent to tent in the camp, trying to convince other kids, especially girls, to come to school. And her passion and dedication soon had people calling her the 'Malala of Syria.' Muzoon has grown into an internationally recognized advocate for refugees, for education, and for the rights of girls and women, and is now a UNICEF goodwill ambassador--the first refugee to play that role. Muzoon's story is absolutely riveting and will inspire young readers to use their own voices and stand up for what they believe in"--Provided by publisher.