I thought this book was wonderful. It is beautifully illustrated, simply written and carrys a powerful message. My students were captivated by it. It tells the story of a librarian in Basra named Alia who goes far in order to save the books from the public library, including some very valuable editions. I liked this book very much and so did my students.

We shared this in our women's group.
It would be great for a children's study on world conditions.

First, I'll name the things I love. As a raving book lover, I appreciate the subject of a librarian who loves books so much that she goes to such great lengths to save them. I love that others have enough respect for the books and the incredibly rich history of Iraq to help her. Like other reviewers, I love the example of this heroic and strong Muslim woman. She was literally saving history. This book has so much going for it.

Unfortunately, I had two giant problems with this book. I just read all currently posted reviews (33 at present). I'm saddened that not one reviewer has pointed out two very significant lines of text on page six. "Government offices are moved into the library. Soldiers with guns wait on the roof." One reviewer who disliked the book's message even said, "If our service men and women did destroy a library, it was either by accident or because it was harboring Saddam's military goons or material." Well, yes, exactly, but somehow everyone who reviewed this book seems to have missed that very important piece of information. The library WAS housing government activity and those cowards knew that their country's books, indeed its very history, would then be in danger. They ran away from the offices in the library and left its contents behind to be bombed. Thankfully, this noble woman was there to save the irreplaceable. Unfortunately, because the author does not elaborate at all on this point, everyone seems to be missing it. Sadly, those most likely to miss the point are children, the intended audience. Many adults have reviewed this book noting how much they personally love it. That's truly wonderful and I feel the same thing about many of my kids' books but this book was, in fact, written for children and it does them a disservice by rushing past an extremely important point. The author had a chance to perfectly emphasize the abundance of courage that Alia Muhammad Baker showed. Originally, she was most likely worried that the library would suffer collateral damage. Indeed, she was worried about the library being lost to "the fires of war" even before the government offices moved in. Once they did, she had to know that the library would be an actual target and that a strike could come at any time once the war began. Her bravery for going back into that building to rescue books time after time even after the bombs started falling becomes even more laudable when viewed in this light. She was in very real danger because of those offices.

Also, I would have liked it depicted that the books were being hidden from looters and vandals. Instead, it was clearly illustrated and stated that they were being hidden from soldiers. The only conclusion that those reading the book can draw is that soldiers would have destroyed the books. "The soldiers leave without searching inside. They do not know that the whole of the library is in my restaurant, thinks Anis." Heartbreaking and infuriating, period. I guess now is the time to mention that my husband is a soldier. My husband, who has personally funded my kids' 500+ book personal library and my ever growing book addiction, is a soldier. The fact that this book about such a noble woman was written and illustrated in such a way that children come away thinking that soldiers are the kind of people who intentionally destroy books is abhorrent to me.

I'm so anti the Iraq war and anti-Bush I have a countdown calendar for his presidency on my kitchen counter. But I am the wife of a soldier and the mother of his three children and I am far too offended by the low points of this book to read it to my kids. Soldiers don't vote to go to war. Presidents order them to go, for better or for worse. Soldiers join the ranks to serve their country and hope that if and when they are ordered into battle that it is for a noble cause. And if the cause is noble, how grateful our country is to have them there. They don't get to pick though. Whether they agree or disagree, off they go without voice. I am my husband's voice tonight and I am offended beyond measure.

For a moment, let's stop talking about politics and start talking about soldiers. Most of them are dads. My particular soldier wept openly when his babies were born, changes diapers and does pigtails like a pro, built a giant sandbox despite his intense distaste for sand, and has tickle fights and reads stories nightly...when he's not on 12-15 month deployments to a country he'd rather he had never set foot in. He probably knows more than 50 of our kids' books by heart, as he has been reading to them since the day they were born. He does voices that would rival the best audio books. He lovingly and perfectly tapes back together books with torn pages or loose binding, a fact of life for favorites. Every week I send a new kids' book from Amazon all the way to his trailer in Iraq, where he videotapes himself reading it. When the kids get their weekly Daddy video and their new book, that's the highlight of their week. Just picture their confusion if I were to read them this book. Now picture the child who doesn't know a soldier. There is no confusion, just the misguided notion that soldiers would have destroyed the books if they had found them.

Please think twice before you read this to your kids. At the very least, be prepared to have a discussion about what the Iraqis perceive to be the American soldiers' intentions versus the reality of what the soldier is really there for. Soldiers don't care if there is a mile-high pile of books behind a door. They're simply hoping there aren't armed combatants ready to take their lives and prevent them from returning home to read their children some bedtime stories.

First, I'll name the things I love. As a raving book lover, I appreciate the subject of a librarian who loves books so much that she goes to such great lengths to save them. I love that others have enough respect for the books and the incredibly rich history of Iraq to help her. Like other reviewers, I love the example of this heroic and strong Muslim woman. She was literally saving history. This book has so much going for it.

Unfortunately, I had two giant problems with this book. I just read all currently posted reviews (33 at present). I'm saddened that not one reviewer has pointed out two very significant lines of text on page six. "Government offices are moved into the library. Soldiers with guns wait on the roof." One reviewer who disliked the book's message even said, "If our service men and women did destroy a library, it was either by accident or because it was harboring Saddam's military goons or material." Well, yes, exactly, but somehow everyone who reviewed this book seems to have missed that very important piece of information. The library WAS housing government activity and those cowards knew that their country's books, indeed its very history, would then be in danger. They ran away from the offices in the library and left its contents behind to be bombed. Thankfully, this noble woman was there to save the irreplaceable. Unfortunately, because the author does not elaborate at all on this point, everyone seems to be missing it. Sadly, those most likely to miss the point are children, the intended audience. Many adults have reviewed this book noting how much they personally love it. That's truly wonderful and I feel the same thing about many of my kids' books but this book was, in fact, written for children and it does them a disservice by rushing past an extremely important point. The author had a chance to perfectly emphasize the abundance of courage that Alia Muhammad Baker showed. Originally, she was most likely worried that the library would suffer collateral damage. Indeed, she was worried about the library being lost to "the fires of war" even before the government offices moved in. Once they did, she had to know that the library would be an actual target and that a strike could come at any time once the war began. Her bravery for going back into that building to rescue books time after time even after the bombs started falling becomes even more laudable when viewed in this light. She was in very real danger because of those offices.

Also, I would have liked it depicted that the books were being hidden from looters and vandals. Instead, it was clearly illustrated and stated that they were being hidden from soldiers. The only conclusion that those reading the book can draw is that soldiers would have destroyed the books. "The soldiers leave without searching inside. They do not know that the whole of the library is in my restaurant, thinks Anis." Heartbreaking and infuriating, period. I guess now is the time to mention that my husband is a soldier. My husband, who has personally funded my kids' 500+ book personal library and my ever growing book addiction, is a soldier. The fact that this book about such a noble woman was written and illustrated in such a way that children come away thinking that soldiers are the kind of people who intentionally destroy books is abhorrent to me.

I'm so anti the Iraq war and anti-Bush I have a countdown calendar for his presidency on my kitchen counter. But I am the wife of a soldier and the mother of his three children and I am far too offended by the low points of this book to read it to my kids. Soldiers don't vote to go to war. Presidents order them to go, for better or for worse. Soldiers join the ranks to serve their country and hope that if and when they are ordered into battle that it is for a noble cause. And if the cause is noble, how grateful our country is to have them there. They don't get to pick though. Whether they agree or disagree, off they go without voice. I am my husband's voice tonight and I am offended beyond measure.

Please think twice before you read this to your kids. At the very least, be prepared to have a discussion about what the Iraqis perceive to be the American soldiers' intentions versus the reality of what the soldier is really there for. Soldiers don't care if there is a mile-high pile of books behind a door. They're simply hoping there aren't armed combatants ready to take their lives and prevent them from returning home to read their children some bedtime stories.

The courageous story of one dedicated librarian, her friends, and how they saved the majority of books from Basra's Central Library from destruction. I have shared this book with folks from five to 50, and every last one of them was touched. It's simply a must for every classroom, library, and anyone who loves books, libraries, and reading.

The courageous story of one dedicated librarian, her friends, and how they saved the majority of books from Basra's Central Library from destruction. I have shared this book with folks from five to 50, and every last one of them was touched. It's simply a must for every classroom, library, and anyone who loves books, libraries, and reading.

My wife and I brought our 5 year old son to an interview at a private school we were interested in. They had a box full of this particular book sitting there in front of us while the head-master was evaluating our son. My wife and I each picked-up a copy and flipped through it. I have no problem with childrens books about what's going on in Iraq if done properly. This isn't one of them. At one point, the iraqi woman (Alia) who saved the books shuttles them to her friends restaurant, and they hide them in sacks and curtains. Here's a sample of the story (and I'm paraphrasing - not for effect or an attempt to exaggerate anything, but only because I don't have the book in front of me): "Soldiers [the illustration depicts an american soldier] came to the door of the restaurant and asked Anis [the owner] why he has a gun. 'To protect my business' he replied. The soldiers didn't enter the restaurant, and so Alia and Anis knew the books would be safe." So that's the "hint of the United States' involvement" that the paid reviewers spoke of: Apparently, the evil americans were prepared to destroy all the books if discovered. Garbage.

I think this book will always divide its readership. I have worked in the past with a Lady from Iraq. A well educated, literate and articulate woman, who was educated in Iraq by Iraqi's so for those who think the Iraq was liberated rather than invaded and through the actions of George and Tony et al they will always believe that it was only those actions that allowed the people, women in particular a greater amount of freedom. That is not always the case... should we see ourselves as "saviours"? This will always be a matter for debate. As a Librarian myself I agree that given the right set of circumstances I would indeed take and look after the stock from my Library as I believe that information IS the key to power. So to this title's detractors yes, read in isolation it could be misleading, yes the "invasion/liberation" will have done some good and after many a long discussion with my former colleague, it has, HOWEVER for those who fall on the invasion side, I agree does any government have the right to do what ours (and I include the british here) have done? We are not Iraqi - we are not there, we will never PERSONALLY know. But read this book whichever camp you fall into, read it to your children, explain it to them in context. That is what you should do. Remember, BOOKS ARE POWERFUL I'm glad this book is generating so much discussion. This is what books do, the Librarian in the story understood this, that is what THIS book is about.

There are many wonderful things about this book which have already been mentioned by 27 of the other reviewers. However, what struck me the most was that Alia Muhammad Baker, the main character of The Librarian of Basra, is a strong Muslim woman who becomes a heroine in her struggle to preserve her faith and country's heritage at her cherished library.

This is very critical considering that most readers of this book probably view Muslim women as oppressed and passive as opposed to strong and committed to their faith.

Anyone who wishes to offer a more balanced presentation of Muslim women in their classroom or to their children should get this book and read it themselves and to kids.

This contemporary story about an Iraqi librarian rescuing 70% of the Basra Central Library's books speaks of both individual courage and the irreplaceable value of books. It's based on actual events: With Allied bombers approaching Basra in April 2003, chief librarian Alia Muhammad Baker asks the local government for permission to move the books. For reasons not explained to the reader, official deny her request, "so Alia takes matters into her own hands." At first, she drives small loads to her home, but when the bombing begins and the library staff flees, she adopts a larger plan to save the books. A network of friends and relatives (most notably neighboring merchant Anis Muhammad) race to hide 30,000 books in Muhammad's nearby restaurant:

"'The books must be saved.' All through the night, Alia, Anis, his brothers, and shopkeepers and neighbors take the books from the library shelves, pass them over the seven-foot wall, and hide them in Anis' restaurant. The books stay hidden as the war rages on. Then, nine days later, a fire burns the library to the ground." As first reported by New York Times journalist Shaila K. Dewan, Baker and her friends waited out the bombs and then moved the thousands of books to the homes of friends, where, presumably, many of them still wait out the violence. An afterward explains that Alia Muhammad Baker suffered a stroke not long after and underwent heart surgery; she is "healing, and despite all, she is determined to see that the library is rebuilt."

The story begins weakly, largely due to some rather conventional pictures that evoke Saturday morning TV shows. Smooth, Western-looking faces speak about the impending war ("Will planes with bombs fill the sky?"), but the multitude of talking heads seems flat. (Older readers might like M. A. Stamaty's 32-page "Alia's Mission : Saving the Books of Iraq" for a more detailed and realistic version of the story.) However, Winter's introduction of the librarian personalizes the story, and her increasingly authentic pictures add realism and a sense of urgency to the rescue. In several dramatic scenes, Winter's bombing planes fill the fiery night sky, tanks shoot long lines of gunfire, and citizens flee against silhouetted minarets, domes, and palm trees. No bloodshed is shown, but Winter convincingly and appropriately shows the ensuing devastation. (There's also a 4-page daydream sequence about a peaceful Iraq, beautifully illustrated with colorful colors and motifs.) The Iraqi people who participated in Baker's "underground" book relocation probably risked their lives to save the books, and I expect that their story will evoke emotion and strong emotions and passionate discussion.

Forget the kids. I love this book. It really appeals to my bibliophile (book love'n) heart.

As to the knuckleheads that dismiss this book as `leftist', [we are talking about those who `say' they read a lot but in fact have reviewed ONLY this book'] I say humbug. This is not a book about war. It is a book about how one person can make a difference to thousands. It is a book about how a community can value the treasury that is a library.

If the author had intended this to be about the war, she could have focused on how the archivists at the famous museums in Baghdad defended the most precious items from domestic looters. She didn't talk about that because this book is about books: the other sort of real treasure.

Five Stars. A good, simple book that emphasizes the value of libraries, it's contents, ideas and the power of reading (implicit).

Note: IMHO the illustrations do not show Americans threatening the books. In fact, the artist shows Iraqi soldiers taking up weapons on the rooftop of the library thus making them responsible for any damage.

We all are hearing much about war. It's a very scary thing. This beautiful book helps us understand something about war and about courage. It is in our church library and seems to talk to our children.

As a future educator and librarian, this book touched my heart. Winter has written a true story that allows readers an opportunity to see what life is like for an Iraqi librarian trying desperately to save her library's books. This book teaches about perseverance, survival, dedication, the effects of war. Read it today!

This books is at best feel good nonsense for brain-washed kids. At worst, this is a traitorous pamphlet.
Worst of all, though, is that it is a boring story that tries to brainwash kids and make them lefties.

I love this book and recommend it to others. Kids will have a better understanding of the importance of libraries - and books - in their world after reading (or hearing) this story!

Thanks.
Sue Summers
Littleton, CO

This is an Excellent book for kids, it does so many things. It celeberates a true hero, it shows the kids the importance of books and it helps kids realize that there are ugly sides to war that other kids have to go through.

I bought this book for my kids as well and they loved it.

Had I tried to pen a parody of how the liberal left and more specifically liberal educators hate America and loath the military (unless it's Clinton bombing Serbians without UN approval), I could not have done a better job of this book.

I have no problem with educating children on the horrors and realities of war, but there are hundreds...no, thousands of scenarios that could have been used that do not portray the American miltary as evil and depicting the Ba'athist soldiers (who must have been taking a break from cleaning the rape rooms and torure chambers) as principled defenders of education.

While the author claims to have done this "wihout identifying the 'invading country', that phrase alone betrays her agenda. Iraq was invaded, not liberated, and that's really the point. If Ms. Winter really cared so much about the power of books, and women in particular, why not write a book about how women can actually go to school now in Iraq?

This is a thinly disguised, "Blame America for everything" treatise that provides a solid platform for an already willing, military-hating teaching establishment to poison childrens minds as even earlier ages than before.

This is an insult to American men and women serving bravely and honorably, in some cases dying, to give Ms. Winter the right to publish this drivel.

Ali Muhammad Baker's the librarian in Basra, Iraq: for fourteen years her library has been a meeting place for book lovers until war comes and Alia fears her library will be destroyed. The Librarian Of Basra is the true story of a librarian's struggle to save her community's literary treasure comes to life in this gentle story of courage.