CCBC Booklists

CCBC Review:

Nayeri’s heartfelt storytelling provides a Middle Eastern perspective on WWII in this moving novel. Set in Iran in 1941, Babak and Sana are orphaned siblings. Iran is a neutral country occupied by the British and the Soviets. The only thing Babak has left to his name is his father’s large chalkboard with carrying straps. Babak is at a loss, but Sana, full of wit and wisdom, sees opportunity. The siblings head for the hills, where they hope to find a position with a nomadic tribe, but they are dismissed by the leader as a liability. Babak is devastated, but Sana stays buoyant until they come across an armed soldier named Vulf in the woods. Terrified, the siblings try to appease him by sharing fire and food. They escape but discover that they are being followed by Ben, a young Jewish boy being hunted by Vulf. Ben is rude and deeply annoys Sana. Patient Babak coaxes Ben to share his traumatic exodus from Europe and vows to reunite him with his lost brother. The trio are soon on a fast-paced escape from Vulf, only to be caught at a military checkpoint by British and Soviet soldiers. With pluck and luck, the trio make it to the train that will take Ben to his brother—and then Vulf reappears for a final showdown. This slender novel offers a memorable sibling adventure story and fills a geographical gap in middle grade World War II novels. ©2026 Cooperative Children’s Book Center

CCBC Age Recommendation: 9-13
Age Range: Grades 3-5 (Ages 8-10) Grades 6-8 (Ages 11-13)
Format: Novel
Subjects: 20th Century Communication Historical Fiction Iranians and Iranian Americans Jewish People Orphans Siblings World War II
Diversity subjects: Asian Middle East Jewish
On CCBC Booklists: Great Middle School Reads  Global Reading: Selected Books for Children and Teens Set in Other Countries 

Publisher: Levine Querido
Publish Year: 2025
Pages: 181
ISBN: 9781646145669
CCBC Location: Fiction, Nayeri

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