Alia muhammad baker also spelled baqer was the chief librarian in the al basrah central library, basra, iraq. Alia muhammad baker is the librarian of basra, iraq. She became worried about the books where she was head librarian. Still, the librarian s quiet bravery serves as a point of entry into a freighted topic, and young readers will be glad to learn that a portion of the book s sales will go toward helping rebuild basra s library. Jul 27, 2003 in the koran, the first thing god said to muhammad was read. Throughout history books and sometimes the people who read them have faced danger. In the koran, the first thing god said to muhammad was read.
There is so much to learn about the middle eastern region and so little time to read. For fourteen years, her library has been a meeting place for. A true story from iraq by jeanette winter, based on a new york times article of july 27, 2003, tells the story of alia muhammad baker, head librarian of basra, iraq who helped save 70% of the librarys collections before the library burned during the iraq war. With limited text and folk artstyle illustrations, author and illustrator jeanette winter relates the dramatic true story of how one determined woman helped save the basra central librarys books during the invasion of iraq. Librarian of basra by jeanette winter, 9780152054458, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. A true story from iraq ebook written by jeanette winter.
Lesson plan for the librarian of basra middle eastern studies. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read the librarian of basra. A small group of parents in florida are threatening to ban a childrens book close to our hearts. The story of a librarian in basra, iraq, named alia muhammad baker, who took it upon herself to save the 30,000 new and ancient books in her library before the war came and destroyed everything. The book opens with a line from alia muhammad baker. Alia muhammad baker alia muhammad baker is a librarian in basra, iraq. Questions and activities for the librarian of basra. Iraqi librarian saved 30,000 books during 2003 invasion al. So then she starts moving some of the books to her house. Alia muhammad baqer was the chief librarian in the al basrah central library in basra iraq. The book is recommended reading on one of the modules created by expeditionary learning for the nys common core ela modules that have been endorsed for voluntary use by new york schools. The librarian of basra is especially appropriate for younger children with its colorful stylized illustrations and simple text. Alia muhammed baker, known as the librarian of basra, saved many books from the iraq national library before it was burned in the war in 2003.
Vibrantly colored pastel acrylic paintings create a sense of distance from the most brutal horrors of war, while celebrating the courage of a brave woman. In an interview with the author of the librarian of basra, jeanette winter says that the idea that one person could. She is the head librarian of the basra city library. Alia muhammad baker is the reallife librarian of basra. Jul 23, 2011 the librarian of basra is especially appropriate for younger children with its colorful stylized illustrations and simple text. Mar 17, 20 iraqi librarian saved 30,000 books during 2003 invasion. A true story from iraq, by jeanette winter is the true story of alia muhammad baker. Questions and activities for the librarian of basra 1. The librarian of basra is inspired by a 2003 new york times story about alia muhammad baker, who saved part of the basra librarys collection before the building was burned in a fire after. This is a reading lesson that integrates social studies and character education. Alia muhammad baker, the chief librarian of al basrah central library. Jul 20, 2015 the librarian of basra is inspired by a 2003 new york times story about alia muhammad baker, who saved part of the basra librarys collection before the building was burned in a fire after.
Living history is not always sweet, but winter, who has made beauty from contemporary horror in september roses p. Iraqi librarian becomes cultural hero in 2 childrens. A day of the dead alphabet book, my name is georgia, and josefina. A true story of iraq, a picture book, is the story of how the librarian saved the librarys books after the invasion in 2003. Jun 28, 2019 the librarian of basra is as the subtitle states, a true story from iraq. The librarian, alia muhammad baker, tells of an instruction from the koran, the religious text of islam. Her actions inspired two fabulous childrens books and earned her a place in the rich history of iraqi libraries. The librarian of basra by jeannette winter james h. A basra librarian remembers how she moved 30,000 books out of the citys central library to a neighboring restaurant and later to her. Now war has come, and alia fears that the libraryalong with the thirty thousand books within itwill be destroyed forever. This book should be required reading for all students so they can appreciate the value of knowledge. Her library is a meeting place for all who love books. Presents the true story of how alia baker, the librarian of the basra library, and her friends managed to save the books of the library before the library was burned to the ground during the 2003 iraq war. Fearing imminent war, alia muhammad baker takes matters into her own hands to save the books in her library.
The author and illustrator, jeanette winter, begins her book with a quote from the librarian of basra. The librarian of basra by jeanette winter, jeanette winter. As the war in iraq approaches her city, she wonders what will happen to the librarys thirty thousand books. In the koran, the first thing god said to muhammad was re. It wasn t a quiet place, but a place to talk about the stories in the books. Its the true story of alia muhammad baker, a librarian in basra in iraq who risked her life to. Libraries, saving books, war, middle east openingsynopsis. Alia states that in the koran, god told his messenger muhammad to read. The librarian of basra is a true story that takes place in 2003 in the city of basra in the country of iraq. Mark alan stamaty is a cartoonist, and alias mission tells the story through graphic cartoon panels. Librarian alia muhammad baker saved the majority of the collection of the basra central library, and much of the history of basra, from the looting and destruction of war.
Now the story of alia will be told for years through reading the librarian of basra by jeanette winter and alias mission by mark alan stamaty. Instead, cbs created a nonstory about a single book. Now war has come, and alia fears that the library along with the thirty thousand books within it will be destroyed forever. Dec 20, 2004 grade 24 when war seemed imminent, alia muhammad baker, chief librarian of basra s central library, was determined to protect the librarys holdings. This book is the true story of alia muhammad baker, a librarian in basra iraq. Her library that has 30,000 books, is a meeting place for the book lovers of the city. The invasion of iraq by the allied forces reached basra on april 6, 2003. The librarian of basra by jeanette winter scholastic. When the country was invaded, alia, the librarian was worried about the books in her library.
Still, the librarians quiet bravery serves as a point of entry into a freighted topic, and young readers will be glad to learn that a portion of the books sales will go toward helping rebuild basras library. An authors note gives backgound at the end of the book. Alia muhammad bakers library in basra, iraq, has been a meeting place for those who love books for the past fourteen years. A true story from iraq by jeanette winter and alias mission. Librarian of basra is the true story of a librarian who. The librarian of basra has a different perspective sometimes we must have the courage to protect books from danger, in this instance, from the danger of war. The librarian of basra is as the subtitle states, a true story from iraq. Baker saved an estimated 30,000 books from destruction during the iraq war, including a biography of muhammad from around 0. Alia muhammad baker chief librarian of al basrah iraq central library, cultural heroine middle eastern. It might be presented as a childrens book, but this lovely story is out there for everyone.
This librarian remembers reading it aloud to day care centers and after school groups back when he worked as a childrens librarian. The librarian of basra by jeanette winter, jeanette. Florida parents try to ban childrens books set in iraq. This book is written for all ages however the faith questions here are for older adolescents. So begins this moving tale of one librarians attempts to save the beloved books in her library as war threatens. As the british forces stormed basra in early april, she spirited. Appropriate for older elementary, middle, and high school students, the book opens by characterizing alia as a. This book should be required reading for all students so they can appreciate the value of knowledge, history, peace, and books, and to respect librarians who go. A true story from iraq jeanette winter, author and illustrator harcourt, inc. In 2005 jeanette winter both wrote and illustrated a book that has made its readers look at libraries in a slightly different way, the librarian of basra. This is a book about the war and how important books are to some people.
Sep 07, 20 alia muhammad baker is a librarian in basra, iraq. For fourteen years, her library has been a meeting place for those who love books. Under alia s leadership, the library was a place where doctors, lawyers, professors, students and artists met each afternoon. The lesson is written for fourth grade, but could definitely be modifiedchanged for the upper grade levels. Baker, a 50yearold librarian in stout shoes, is the engineer of their underground railroad. Children and adults will read these books to help them understand the sacrifice one woman made to keep literature alive through the ravages of war. Baker saved an estimated 30,000 books from destruction during the iraq war, including a biography of muhammad from around 0 baker had worked at the library for 14 years. The library has books in hundreds of different languages and even has a 700 year old book on prophet muhammad. Alia muhammad bakeralia muhammad baker is a librarian in basra, iraq. Alia muhammad baker chief librarian of al basrah iraq. As a child she was told the story of the burning of baghdads nizamiyya library and was horrified. I would like to help her get a bigger house and move the books.
Lesson plan for the librarian of basra the center for. Basra is a port city, in the sand swept country of iraq. In spite of the governments refusal to help, she moved. She was proud of her countrys history and the priceless heritage provided by the books in her library. They discuss matters of the world and matters of the spirit. Mar 02, 2007 when war seemed imminent, alia muhammad baker, chief librarian of basra s central library, was determined to protect the librarys holdings. Baqer saved around thirty thousand books from destruction during the iraq war, including a biography of muhammad from around 0.
May 07, 2012 reading of the book the librarian of basra. Grade 24 when war seemed imminent, alia muhammad baker, chief librarian of basras central library, was determined to protect the librarys holdings. When war seemed imminent, alia muhammad baker, chief librarian of basras central library, was determined to protect the librarys holdings. Created in picture book format, this is an excellent book for 8 to 12yearolds.
Alia muhammad baker clearly loves her books more than anything in the world. Alia muhammad baker was the chief librarian of the central library in basra, iraq, a meeting place for many and quite near one of basra s best restaurants. Florida parents try to ban childrens books set in iraq and. Some parents were offended that their child 3rd grade would think that the us army was portrayed as aggressors. Alia muhammad baker is the librarian of basra, a port city in the sandswept country of iraq. This lesson also has geography, writing, science, and math extension activities. Iraqi librarian saved 30,000 books during 2003 invasion. The book is about a librarian who safeguards 30,000 books during the iraqi war. The story of a librarian in basra, iraq, named alia muhammad baker, who took it upon herself to save the 30,000 new and ancient books in her library before the. Alia muhammad baker was the chief librarian of the central library in basra, iraq, a meeting place for many and quite near one of basras best restaurants. She chose an approved book, the librarian of basra by jeanette winter.
178 380 736 1131 1398 1494 424 994 593 87 1282 1418 685 1305 589 634 849 1291 1264 195 742 173 589 850 1549 970 442 456 150 215 532 305 1004 366