Saleh, Haya. Wild Poppies. Levine Querido, 06/2023. 176pp. Fiction. Trade $17.99. 978-1-64614-201-9. GRADES 7–12. ADDITIONAL.
Omar and Sufyan’s lives are forever changed as war destroys their Syrian town, tearing apart their family and nation. After the boy’s father is martyred at the onset of aerial bombing, Omar strives to protect his family as they become refugees. But his younger brother Sufyan is always at odds with Omar and hates waiting, eventually becoming ensnared by one of the militant gangs who indoctrinate and use children in their war. First person narration shows the personal effects of the Syrian civil war on noncombatants and each boy’s struggle to survive, ending more hopefully than may be expected. Saleh’s engaging storytelling provides a glimpse into struggles that many American readers may be unfamiliar with. Lacks an explanatory author’s note which could have provided more insight. Review based on an ARC.
Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library