Its the true story of alia muhammad baker, a librarian in basra in iraq who risked her life to shelter and shuttle books in her library during the iraq war. Both tell the story of alia muhammed baker, the chief librarian of basra, iraq, who saved 30,000 books from basras library before it burned during the u. Nasreens secret school is about a girl seeking an education in an area. Iraqi librarian becomes cultural hero in 2 childrens books.
The librarian of basra is a book about a librarian in iraq trying to protect books during the recent war and it is going to be used this year in the districts third grade classes and it has recently generated some controversy. Alia muhammad baker, librarian in basra, iraq, is storing about 30,000 books and manuscripts that were spirited away from basra central library. Alia muhammad baker, the chief librarian of al basrah central library. The library has books in hundreds of different languages and even has a 700 year old book on prophet muhammad. Appropriate for older elementary, middle, and high school students, the book opens by characterizing alia as a. Grade 24 when war seemed imminent, alia muhammad baker, chief librarian of basra s central library, was determined to protect the librarys holdings. Florida parents try to ban childrens books set in iraq. The librarian of basra is as the subtitle states, a true story from iraq. Alia muhammad baker chief librarian of al basrah iraq central library, cultural heroine middle eastern. This is a reading lesson that integrates social studies and character education. She chose an approved book, the librarian of basra by jeanette winter. Alia states that in the koran, god told his messenger muhammad to read. There are nonfiction books, including the librarian of basra.
The invasion of iraq by the allied forces reached basra on april 6. The author and illustrator, jeanette winter, begins her book with a quote from the librarian of basra. Alia muhammad baker has a career as a librarian but a passion for her people and culture. Baker saved an estimated 30,000 books from destruction during the iraq war, including a biography of muhammad from around 0.
Alia muhammad baqer was the chief librarian in the al basrah central library in basra iraq. As the war in iraq approaches her city, she wonders what will happen to the librarys thirty thousand books. With the help of friends and neighbors, alia mohammad bake, chief librarian of basra s central library, managed to rescue seventy percent of the librarys collection before the library burned down nine days later. Iraqi librarian becomes cultural hero in 2 childrens. Now war has come, and alia fears that the libraryalong with the thirty thousand books w. 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 war. Librarian of basra is the true story of a librarian who fought to save. Nyc third graders to read books about war as part of new. Alia muhammad baker chief librarian of al basrah iraq.
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. Jul 27, 2003 alia muhammad baker, librarian in basra, iraq, is storing about 30,000 books and manuscripts that were spirited away from basra central library as british forces stormed basra in early april, just. The librarian of basra tells the story of a woman who saved books from a library that was later burned down. The book opens with a line from alia muhammad baker. The edmonton public librarys intellectual freedom policy is based on the canadian charter of rights and freedoms. Grade 24 when war seemed imminent, alia muhammad baker, chief librarian of basras central library, was determined to protect the librarys holdings. In spite of the governments refusal to help, she moved the books into a nearby restaurant only nine days before the library burned to the ground. She was proud of her countrys history and the priceless heritage provided by the books in. Her actions inspired two fabulous childrens books and earned her a place in the rich history of iraqi libraries.
This book is the true story of alia muhammad baker, a librarian in basra iraq. A basra librarian remembers how she moved 30,000 books out of the citys central library to a neighboring restaurant and later to her. The librarian of basra by jeanette winter, jeanette winter. We use cookies to give you the best possible experience. This book is written for all ages however the faith questions here are for older adolescents. Throughout history books and sometimes the people who read them have faced danger. There is so much to learn about the middle eastern region and so little time to read. Living history is not always sweet, but winter, who has made beauty from contemporary horror in september roses p. The librarian of basra by jeanette winter, jeanette. 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. She is the head librarian of the basra city library. The librarian, alia muhammad baker, tells of an instruction from the koran, the religious text of islam. Basra is also iraqs main port, although it does not have deep water access, which is handled at the port of umm qasr the city is one of the ports from which the fictional sinbad the sailor journeyed. They discuss matters of the world and matters of the spirit.
Banned and challenged picture books edmonton public library. Her library that has 30,000 books, is a meeting place for the book lovers of the city. Critics have said that the books nasreens secret school and the librarian of basra are inappropriate for students because they promote. Jul 06, 2018 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. The librarian of basra is a book about a librarian living in wartorn iraq. 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. Critics have said that the books nasreens secret school and the librarian of basra are inappropriate for students because they promote another religion besides christianity and are too violent. When war comes to basra, alia saves the books in the only way she can see. Alia muhammad baker is the librarian of basra, a port city in the sandswept country of iraq.
Under alia s leadership, the library was a place where doctors, lawyers, professors, students and artists met each afternoon. 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. Childrens books set in afghanistan, iraq challenged in. Librarian of basra by jeanette winter, 9780152054458, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. When the governor of basra refuses her request to move the books to a safe place, alia takes matters into her own hands. It describes in a simple, tame way, the confusion and alarm of residents in the face of the war. Questions and activities for the librarian of basra.
Alia was the chief librarian at the al basrah central library in basra, iraq. A true story from iraq, by jeanette winter is the true story of alia muhammad baker. A true story from iraq by jeanette winter 2005 about a librarian who saves. This is a beautiful story of an amazing woman who saved the heart of her library from the destruction of the war in iraq. Jack sprat plus lots more nursery rhymes 42 minutes compilation from little baby bum. Books challenged or banned in 20152016, by robert p. Alia muhammad baker, the chief librarian of basras central library is worried the books will be destroyed.
The battle of basra lasted from 21 march to 6 april 2003 and was one of the first battles of the 2003 invasion of iraq. As a child she was told the story of the burning of baghdads nizamiyya library and was horrified. This librarian remembers reading it aloud to day care centers and after school groups back when he worked as a childrens librarian. Sep 07, 20 alia muhammad baker is a librarian in basra, iraq. The controversy comes at the same time as the hood county clerk refused to sign off on. Librarian of basra is the true story of a librarian who fought to save 30,000 volumes from being destroyed when american and british forces bombed basra. Alia muhammad baker also spelled baqer was the chief librarian in the al basrah central library, basra, iraq. Alia muhammad bakeralia muhammad baker is a librarian in basra, iraq. The librarian of basra by jeanette winter scholastic. When she requests permission to move the books to a place where they will be safe, the governor denies her request. Fearing imminent war, alia muhammad baker takes matters into her own hands to save the books in her library.
One of the books stirred ignorant controversy and hateful comments about her choice of book. Oct 15, 2012 the librarian of basra by jeanette winter. This is a true story about a brave woman, alia baker, who defied the bombs and bullets surrounding her, in order to save the precious books of her beloved library in basra. Alia muhammad baker is the reallife librarian of basra. While elements of the parachute regiment cleared the old quarter of the city that was inaccessible to. 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 out of their.
Baqer saved around thirty thousand books from destruction during the iraq war, including a biography of muhammad from around 0. Its the true story of alia muhammad baker, a librarian in basra in iraq who risked her life to. She was proud of her countrys history and the priceless heritage provided by the books in her library. Now war has come, and alia fears that the libraryalong with the. These two recent childrens books grades k12 present a positive opportunity to open up discussions of the iraq war with students. In the koran, the first thing god said to muhammad was read. It is hard to imagine how startled alia muhammad baker, the chief librarian of basra, iraq, has. An authors note gives backgound at the end of the book. The lesson is written for fourth grade, but could definitely be modifiedchanged for the upper grade levels.
Jul 23, 2011 the librarian of basra is especially appropriate for younger children with its colorful stylized illustrations and simple text. Apr 08, 2015 jack sprat plus lots more nursery rhymes 42 minutes compilation from little baby bum. Basra is a port city, in the sand swept country of iraq. When denied help by government officials, she took matters into her own hands. Libraries, saving books, war, middle east openingsynopsis. 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. Apr 16, 2018 this is a true story about a brave woman, alia baker, who defied the bombs and bullets surrounding her, in order to save the precious books of her beloved library in basra. 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. Iraqi librarian saved 30,000 books during 2003 invasion al. 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. Mar 17, 20 iraqi librarian saved 30,000 books during 2003 invasion.
She started removing the most valuable books a few at. Missing the real controversy with the librarian of basra book. A basra librarian remembers how she moved 30,000 books out of the citys central library to a neighboring restaurant and later to her home, before the looting and burning of the library in the. The invasion of iraq reached basra on april 6, 2003. Created in picture book format, this is an excellent book for 8 to 12yearolds. For fourteen years, her library has been a meeting place for those who love books. When war loomed and grew more imminent, alia wanted to move the books to a safer location. 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. This true story is a moving tale of one librarians attempts to save the beloved books in her library as war becomes imminent. The librarian of basra is especially appropriate for younger children with its colorful stylized illustrations and simple text.
Jeffrey gardere said he believes the controversial. Jul 20, 2015 the librarian of basra tells the story of a woman who saved books from a library that was later burned down. A true story from iraq jeanette winter, author and illustrator harcourt, inc. Florida parents try to ban childrens books set in iraq and. Basra is also iraqs main port, although it does not have deep water access, which is handled at the port of umm qasr. Now war has come, and alia fears that the libraryalong with the thirty thousand books within itwill be destroyed forever. She became worried about the books where she was head librarian. Lesson plan for the librarian of basra middle eastern studies. A true story from iraq hmh books for young readers challenged in the duval county, fla. Jul 19, 2015 the librarian of basra is a book about a librarian in iraq trying to protect books during the recent war and it is going to be used this year in the districts third grade classes and it has recently generated some controversy. In april 2003, the invasion of iraq reaches basra, a port city. In an interview with the author of the librarian of basra, jeanette winter says that the idea that one person could make a difference was what really struck her.
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. So begins this moving tale of one librarians attempts to save the beloved books in her library as war threatens. In an interview with the author of the librarian of basra, jeanette winter says that the idea that one person could. Mar 17, 2005 iraqi librarian becomes cultural hero in 2 childrens books. Jun 28, 2019 the librarian of basra is as the subtitle states, a true story from iraq. Mark alan stamaty is a cartoonist, and alias mission tells the story through graphic cartoon panels. Alia muhammad baker is the librarian in basra, iraq. 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. 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. 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. The city is one of the ports from which the fictional sinbad the sailor journeyed. Her library is a meeting place for all who love books. A meeting place for discussions and connections, alia loved her job. This lesson also has geography, writing, science, and math extension activities.
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