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. 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. Batman, spiderman, superman, astroboy, doraemon, anpanman. 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. Jun 28, 2019 the librarian of basra is as the subtitle states, a true story from iraq. With the help of friends and neighbors, alia mohammad bake, chief librarian of basra s central library, managed to rescue seventy percent of the library s collection before the library burned down nine days later.
Dewans story was received by many readers and later detailed by two authors through picture books. Her library that has 30,000 books, is a meeting place for the book lovers of the city. Sep 15, 2009 fearing imminent war, alia muhammad baker takes matters into her own hands to save the books in her library. When war seemed imminent, alia muhammad baker, chief librarian of basras central library, was determined to protect the librarys holdings. Alia muhammad bakeralia muhammad baker is a librarian in basra, iraq. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. A basra librarian remembers how she moved 30,000 books out of the citys central library to a neighboring restaurant and later to her. Iraqi librarian saved 30,000 books during 2003 invasion al. The author and illustrator, jeanette winter, begins her book with a quote from the librarian of basra. So begins this moving tale of one librarian s attempts to save the beloved books in her library as war threatens. After the war the librarian books spirited to safety before iraq library fire basra, iraq alia muhammad bakers house is full of books. 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. This librarian remembers reading it aloud to day care centers and after school groups back when he worked as a childrens librarian. When the country was invaded, alia, the librarian was worried about the books in her library.
Fearing imminent war, alia muhammad baker takes matters into her own hands to save the books in her library. When war seemed imminent, alia muhammad baker, chief librarian of basra s central library, was determined to protect the library s holdings. Questions and activities for the librarian of basra. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the librarian of basra. In spite of the governments refusal to help, she moved the books into a nearby restaurant only nine days before the library. Alia states that in the koran, god told his messenger muhammad to read. A true story from iraq kindle edition by winter, jeanette. Mar 17, 20 iraqi librarian saved 30,000 books during 2003 invasion. Alia muhammad baqer was the chief librarian in the al basrah central library in basra iraq. Jun 10, 2012 the librarian of basra a true story from iraq 10. Florida parents try to ban childrens books set in iraq and. Iraqi librarian saved 30,000 books during 2003 invasion.
Her actions were later turned into the childrens books alias mission and the librarian of basra. Librarian of basra archives national coalition against. Oct 15, 2012 the librarian of basra by jeanette winter. Florida parents try to ban childrens books set in iraq. Jul 06, 2018 as a child alia baker had read the story of the mongol invasion and the burning of the baghdad library in 1258 ce. Mooresville public library mooresville, indiana presents a book trailer featuring the childrens picture book, the librarian of basra. Alia muhammad baker alia muhammad baker is a librarian in basra, iraq.
Baqer saved around thirty thousand books from destruction during the iraq war, including a biography of muhammad from around 0. The librarian of basra is written and illustrated by jeanette winter. The librarian of basra is as the subtitle states, a true story from iraq. Her story inspired two childrens books, one of them being the librarian. 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. For fourteen years, her library has been a meeting place for those who love books. Now war has come, and alia fears that the libraryalong with the thirty thousand books w. Someone with incredible super powers, performing impossible feats. She was proud of her countrys history and the priceless heritage provided by the books in her library. 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 library s collections before the library burned during the iraq war. Although the library did not allow lending, over the years she often slipped books into the hands of readers and sent them home.
The librarian of basra by jeannette winter james h. This is a reading lesson that integrates social studies and character education. Libraries, saving books, war, middle east openingsynopsis. Bakers courageous book rescue mission in basra, iraq, in spring 2003 see childrens books, dec.
This lesson also has geography, writing, science, and math extension activities. Alia muhammad baker chief librarian of al basrah iraq. The librarian of basra by jeanette winter, jeanette winter. Apr 01, 20 books like persepolis and the librarian of basra teach students in america that war exists, it is real and it has real human consequences. Alia muhammad baker is the reallife librarian of basra. 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. 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. Librarian of basra by jeanette winter, 9780152054458, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Basra is also iraqs main port, although it does not have deep water access, which is handled at the port of umm qasr. A true story from iraq jeanette winter, author and illustrator harcourt, inc.
Its the true story of alia muhammad baker, a librarian in basra in iraq. 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. Created in picture book format, this is an excellent book for 8 to 12yearolds. The librarian of basra a true story from iraq youtube. So begins this moving tale of one librarians attempts to save the beloved books in her library as war threatens. The librarian of basra by jeanette winter, jeanette. The portrayal of librarians andor libraries in literaturepoetry. They discuss matters of the world and matters of the spirit. A true story from iraq, by jeanette winter is the true story of alia muhammad baker. 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, a port city in the sandswept country of iraq.
The librarian of basra is a true story that takes place in 2003 in the city of basra in the country of iraq. Iraqi librarian becomes cultural hero in 2 childrens. Like her library is a meeting place for all who love books. Alia muhammad baker is the librarian of basra, iraq. In the koran, the first thing god said to muhammad was read. There are books in stacks, books in the cupboards, books bundled into flour sacks like lumpy aid rations. 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. Rather than read the post report, may i recommend you read the gothamists take on the issue. Missing the real controversy with the librarian of basra book. This is a beautiful story of an amazing woman who saved the heart of her library from the destruction of the war in iraq. The librarian of basra, by jeanette winter mpl book. The librarian, alia muhammad baker, tells of an instruction from the koran, the religious text of islam. Jack sprat plus lots more nursery rhymes 42 minutes compilation from little baby bum. Books like persepolis and the librarian of basra teach students in america that war exists, it is real and it has real human consequences.
In spite of the governments refusal to help, she moved. In the koran, the first thing god said to muhammad was read, she said. Living history is not always sweet, but winter, who has made beauty from contemporary horror in september roses p. Grade 24 when war seemed imminent, alia muhammad baker, chief librarian of basra s central library, was determined to protect the library s holdings. Children and adults will read these books to help them understand the sacrifice one woman made to keep. The librarian of basra by jeanette winter scholastic. Mooresville public library mooresville, indiana presents a playlist of its book trailers and videos featuring banned books. As the war in iraq approaches her city, she wonders what will happen to the librarys thirty thousand books. Alia muhammad baker has a career as a librarian but a passion for her people and culture. S invasion of iraq imminent, alia wondered what would happen to the books in basra s central library if their. 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. The librarian of basra quotes showing 12 of 2 in the koran, the first thing god said to muhammed was read. Questions and activities for the librarian of basra 1. Throughout history books and sometimes the people who read them have faced danger.
Oct 4, 2014 the librarian of basra read by diane santiago. Alia muhammad baker clearly loves her books more than anything in the world. This mornings news feeds boasted two stories that grabbed our attention, in particular because they dovetail so perfectly with the recent controversy in chicago public schools surrounding persepolis. Grade 24 when war seemed imminent, alia muhammad baker, chief librarian of basra s central library, was determined to protect the librarys holdings. This jewish professor saw jesus in a vision yet decided to run away. Baker saved an estimated 30,000 books from destruction during the iraq war, including a biography of muhammad from around 0. Film music 3 of 5 great soundtracks instrumental contains instrumental music from some of the greatest romance, drama, family, epic and adventure movie soundtracks ever written for listening enjoyment and purchase by. The librarian of basra is inspired by a 2003 new york times story about alia muhammad baker, who saved part of the basra library s collection before the building was burned in a fire after. This book is the true story of alia muhammad baker, a librarian in basra iraq. Missing the real controversy with the librarian of basra book 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. 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. Will they be destroyed, or can she find a way to save them. An authors note gives backgound at the end of the book. Well, the story you are about to hear tells about a different kind of superhero.
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. 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 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. Alia muhammad bakers library in basra, iraq, has been a meeting place for those who love books for the past fourteen years. Alia muhammad baker chief librarian of al basrah iraq central library, cultural heroine middle eastern. The library has books in hundreds of different languages and even has a 700 year old book on prophet muhammad. She became worried about the books where she was head librarian. Alia muhammad baker, the chief librarian of al basrah central library. The invasion of iraq reached basra on april 6, 2003. She feared for the safety of the books and history contained within the walls of the library and begged for.
Alia was the chief librarian of the al basra central library in basra, iraq when the war came in 2003. Her actions inspired two fabulous childrens books and earned her a place in the rich history of iraqi libraries. It describes in a simple, tame way, the confusion and alarm of residents in the face of the war. The invasion of iraq by the allied forces reached basra on april 6, 2003. As the war in iraq approaches her city, she wonders what will happen to the library s thirty thousand books. This is a book about the war and how important books are to some people. 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 library s books during the invasion of iraq. They are learning these things in the safest and bestequipped environment imaginable the classroom. When the governor of basra refuses her request to move the books to a safe place, alia takes matters into her own hands. Her library is a meeting place for all who love books. Sep 07, 20 alia muhammad baker is a librarian in basra, iraq. 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. It is hard to imagine how startled alia muhammad baker, the chief librarian of basra, iraq, has been to discover that she is the hero of two american childrens books.
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