Children of War: Voices of Iraqi Refugees [Paperback]

Deborah Ellis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 25, 2010

The United States and its allies invaded Iraq seven years ago. Today the country is still at war, and no one can claim that true democracy has come. Four million Iraqis have been displaced, and about half of them, unable to flee the country, are now living in remote tent camps without access to schools, health care, or often even food and clean water. In Children of War, a companion title to Off to War: Voices of Soldiers’ Children, Deborah Ellis turns her attention to the most tragic victims of the Iraq war — Iraqi children. She interviews two dozen young people, mostly refugees living in Jordan, but also a few who are trying to build new lives in North America. Their frank and harrowing stories reveal inspiring resilience as the children try to survive the consequences of a war in which they play no part.

Editorial Reviews

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 --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Groundwood Books (May 25, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0888999089
• ISBN-13: 978-0888999085
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #329,521 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #11 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Explore the World > Middle East

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars children of war, June 27, 2011

By 

Minnie (MN) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Children of War: Voices of Iraqi Refugees (Hardcover)

Not intended for children younger than about 12-13, but an excellent short, easy-to-read, and powerful counterpoint to the violence-as- entertainment culture of the U.S. I have been protesting these unjust(ified) wars for the last nine years. From now on, I will use these short descriptions of war from the point of view of their young victims. Although published during the Bush years, nothing has or will change until our hearts are changed.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful accounts from children's point of view+, May 28, 2011

By 

E. Iandoli - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Children of War: Voices of Iraqi Refugees (Paperback)

As an ESL teacher with many Iraqi refugees in my class, I was looking for background on their experiences. The voices of the children in these first-person accounts were powerful and heartbreaking. The author provides a context for each child's story yet lets the children speak for themselves.