Based on a true story, this takes readers back to 1991 in Iraq. Thirty-four countries have allied against Saddam Hussein, and Desert Storm is upon Iraq. Eleven-year-old Ali's family must survive bombings and uncertainty, all the while dreaming of life going back to the way it was before the war. There are lots of intersting details, and I think in the hands of the right reader the story will resonate.

This is an interesting account of life in Iraq during the war in 1991, and it is based on a true story. It helps readers to see these characters as individuals, rather than merely lumping them into a large group.

Thank you to NetGalley an eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

It's 1991, and 11-year-old Ali lives in Basra, Iraq. President Saddam Hussein has invaded Kuwait, and the United States declares war on Iraq. Ali and his family are forced to move into one of the bedrooms in their home each evening while the city is bombed. Ali's father disappears, and his older brother, Shirzad becomes the insufferable head of the household in his absence. For forty-one days, the war continues, and we see the impact of the Iraqi war through the eyes of a child, and his family.

The story is based on the true experiences of Ali Fadhil, which make this a very appealing book. I love to read historical fiction based on actual events, and we really do get to see an insider's view of what the people of Iraq experienced during the Gulf War. Unfortunately, the writing style of this book did not connect with me, and I found the language was not what I would expect from an eleven year old boy.

Ali’s story is a important one to share. Many children today have no knowledge of the wars with Iraq or the lasting effects of war. Through this story, readers get a glimpse into what children experienced during that war. Not all war experiences are the same, and this one kept much of the violence out of yhe narrative while still conveying the fear and worry and hope a family wouldfeel.

Excellent, fast-paced and interesting. Recounts Ali’s (a middle school boy) experience of the American war against Iraq when Saddam Hussein refused to leave Kuwait in 1991. His family lived in Basra, only 30 miles from the border with Kuwait, where his father was stationed as a medic. (Spoiler) Ali has a fascination with America and learned to speak English so well, he grew up to be a translator at Saddam’s trial.

Ali lives with his family in Basra, Iraq. It is 1991 and America has just declared war on Iraq because Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait. Ali remembers the last war with Iran that lasted eight years and hopes this one goes better. Ali’s father is a Kurdish dentist and reservist in the army. He leaves the family for weeks at a time. Ali’s family lives in a nice neighborhood in Basra so they are not bombed, but they do feel the effects of the war. There are food and fuel shortages throughout the city. As the family makes do the children help out, but still find time to have fun with their friends. Thankfully it is a short war.

There are very few if any books set during this time period. I found it interesting to read about from the point of view of an Iraqi and based on his real experiences. Ali and his family were definitely not fans of Saddam Hussein, but had learned to keep that information to themselves. Ali excels at English because he reads American comic books and watches American TV, which led to a job as an interpreter during the second Iraqi war according to the author’s note at the end. This is a short book and a quick read and covers an interesting subject.

I received this book from Netgalley. It will be published February 2018.