An Indie Next List Pick "Filled with kindness and hope, but also with the harsh realities of the horrors of war, this heartbreaking book is a necessary reminder of what many people live through every day." --Booklist (starred review) Nadia\'s family is forced to flee their home in Aleppo, Syria, when the Arab Spring sparks a civil war in this timely coming-of-age novel from award-winning author N.
Inspired by current events, this novel sheds light on the complicated situation in Syria that has led to an international refugee crisis, and tells the story of one girl\'s journey to safety..
As civil war flares in Syria and bombs fall across Nadia\'s home city of Aleppo, her family decides to flee to safety.
Soon anti-government protests erupt across the Middle East and, one by one, countries are thrown into turmoil.
It is December 17, 2010: Nadia\'s twelfth birthday and the beginning of the Arab Spring.
Nadia frowns.
The reporter explains that a vegetable vendor in the city of Tunis burned himself alive, protesting corrupt government officials who have been harassing his business.
Beside it is a mound of smoldering ashes.
On TV, a reporter stands near an overturned vegetable cart on a dusty street.
Everyone is about to sing "Happy Birthday," when her uncle calls from the living room, "Baba, brothers, you need to see this." Reluctantly, she follows her family into the other room.
This is the best day of my life, she thinks.
Nadia stands at the center of attention in her parents\' elegant dining room.
A new dress.
A birthday cake covered in pink roses.
Silver and gold balloons.
Senzai.
H.
An Indie Next List Pick "Filled with kindness and hope, but also with the harsh realities of the horrors of war, this heartbreaking book is a necessary reminder of what many people live through every day." --Booklist (starred review) Nadia\'s family is forced to flee their home in Aleppo, Syria, when the Arab Spring sparks a civil war in this timely coming-of-age novel from award-winning author N
