A Boy From Baghdad, Green Bean Books.

 

"Jews are no longer safe in Iraq. When are you going to get it through your thick head."

It's 1951 and 12 year old Salman Shasha and his family have to leave their comfortable home in Baghdad to resettle in Israel. The 'Promised Land' turns out not to be what they dreamed of, and from a refugee camp the uprooted family have to work together to rebuild their lives.

Trying to find his feet in the unwelcoming new country, Salman misses swimming, his great passion, but even swimming is more difficult in this new life. Will he have to give up on his ambition to be a champion?

An atmospheric, inspiring tale about the power of perseverance, friendship and family in the face of hardship, hatred and change, A Boy From Baghdad is an important story of diversity in the modern world. Essential reading from children to adult, children 8 years and over.

 

Best Jewish Children's Books of 2023 : The Tablet

PJ Ourway Author Incentive Award

Shorlisted : Unofficial Sydney Taylor Award 2024 : USA

Children's Books of the Year 2023 :  JC 

 

REVIEWS

"In beautifully textured prose, Halahmy paints a picture of Baghdad ... a multicultural city where Jews, Sunnis, Yazidis, Armenians and Kurds all live harmoniously. The sights, smells and tasted of daily life from a child's perspective are rich and comforting... Her novel is both an elegy for a lost past and a hopeful chronicle for change."

Emily Schneider, Reviewer, Jewish Book Council, USA.

A Boy From Baghdad's uniqueness lies in its setting, its power lies in it universality. A good novel to read.

Rachel J. Fremmer, The Tablet, December 2023.

A book which speaks to children and adults. Really well written, the characters very relatable as individuals and their struggles make the reader realise that persecution, racism and prejudice comes in many forms and always need to be challenged. I learned a lot from this book - its a powerful, very readable and important novel that shines a light on a period of history but is equally relevant in today's world. I couldn't put it down.

Annie Everall OBE

Powerful, beautifully written story, historical and eye-opening and so relevant to today's world, where many families are still forced to flee their homes to other countries.

Penny Joelson, Award Winning Author

I've had chills listening to Miriam Halahmy talk about the power of books in times of conflict. Her brilliant book set in 1951 when Jews were no longer safe in Iraq, sadly mirrors her own family's experience as Jews no longer feel safe in the UK after October 7th 2023.

Cat Barlow, ASCEL Conference Delegate, October 2023

A beautifully told story of one boy's attempts to realise his dreams despite prejudice and persecution. A celebration of how, in spite of almost impossible-seeming odds, the human spirit can triumph. Thoroughly recommended for both young people and adults.

Ally Sherrick. Award Winning Author of children's historical fiction. 5* Amazon Review.

A story of perseverance against the odds...it educated me ... plotted so skilfully

Sue Klauber, Author

Brilliant/atmospheric/evocative...packs a real emotional punch.

5 star Amazon review

You know a children's book is special when, as an adult , you both enjoy reading it and learn something new...Thank you to Net Galley for an advanced copy. We need more books like this!

Sara, 5* Goodreads Review

The author has done a great job with wonderful characters that both represent different reactions to their changing circumstances ... and that feel real. While the book is perfect for MG readers, its perfect for their parents too. A compelling novel.

Erica Lyons. 5* Goodreads Review

I really liked this story .... I wouldn't change a thing.

Gabe, 9 years.

 

 

 

 

I loved the story because I could picture myself as one of the characters, I loved learning new words and a new language. and I loved this story because I could picture the scenes in my mind which made me feel like I was there on Salman's journey with him and his cousin.

Jacob, 9 years