A true story from iraq ebook written by jeanette winter. The story, a true one, was inspired by an article about the librarian s efforts which appeared in the new york times in 2003. Saving the books of iraq by mark alan stamatyrecount story of iraqi librarian. Baker, who defied the bombs and bullets surrounding her, in order to save the precious books of her beloved library in basra. As the war in iraq approaches her city, she wonders what will happen to the librarys thirty thousand books see all. In 2005 jeanette winter both wrote and illustrated a book that has made its readers look at libraries in a slightly different way, the librarian of basra.
The lesson is written for fourth grade, but could definitely be modifiedchanged for the upper grade levels. In the koran, the first thing god said to muhammad was re. 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. Throughout history books and sometimes the people who read them have faced danger. A small group of parents in florida are threatening to ban a childrens book close to our hearts. Instead, cbs created a nonstory about a single book. She became worried about the books where she was head librarian. The invasion of iraq reached basra on april 6, 2003. 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 is the librarian of basra, a port city in the sandswept country of iraq. She started removing the most valuable books a few at a time. The book is recommended reading on one of the modules created by expeditionary learning for the nys common core ela modules that have been endorsed for voluntary use by new york schools.
Grade 24 when war seemed imminent, alia muhammad baker, chief librarian of basra s central library, was determined to protect the librarys holdings. She is the head librarian of the basra city library. The comic book style is probably very appealing to students but i did not enjoy reading it. 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. The librarian of basra by jeanette winter, jeanette. 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. A true story from iraq by jeanette winter and alias mission. Download the librarian of basra or read online books in pdf, epub, tuebl, and mobi format.
Alia muhammad baker is the librarian of basra, iraq. The librarian of basra by jeanette winter kids book club. Alia states that in the koran, god told his messenger muhammad to read. So then she starts moving some of the books to her house.
Questions and activities for the librarian of basra. 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 british. This is a true story about a brave woman, alia baker, who defied the bombs and bullets surrounding her, in order to save the precious books of her beloved library in basra. Now war has come, and alia fears that the libraryalong with the thirty thousand books within itwill be destroyed forever. The librarian of basra hardcover a true story from iraq. The story of alia muhammad baker and her attempts to save the 30,000 books during the 2003 invasion of iraq is inspiring to those who value literature, libraries, and the freedom to access knowledge. The invasion of iraq by the allied forces reached basra on april 6. An authors note gives backgound at the end of the book. Title of a book, article or other published item this will display to the public. She takes thousands of them to her own home, to the homes of friends, and to the. Baqer saved around thirty thousand books from destruction during the iraq war, including a biography of muhammad from around 0. I understand that the author used this page to introduce the book s theme but i think the serious theme needed a more serious approach. Alia muhammad baker chief librarian of al basrah iraq.
The book was inspired by a july 2003, article in the new york times about alia muhammad baker, the chief librarian of basra s central library, who was determined to protect the librarys holdings. Alia muhammad baker clearly loves her books more than anything in the world. Alia muhammad baqer was the chief librarian in the al basrah central library in basra iraq. This book is written for all ages however the faith questions here are for older adolescents. Its the true story of alia muhammad baker, a librarian in basra in iraq who risked her life to. A true story of iraq, a picture book, is the story of how the. Alia muhammad baker is the reallife librarian of basra. This lesson uses the book, the librarian of basra, which the hard copy, or an electronic version link in the lesson can be used. The tale of the iraqi librarian who saved the books she. Baker saved an estimated 30,000 books from destruction during the iraq war, including a biography of muhammad from around 0 baker had worked at the library for 14 years. The librarian of basra was the first book i read by writer and illustrator jeanette winter, and i loved it and her immediately. Librarian of basra is the true story of a librarian who.
This librarian remembers reading it aloud to day care centers and after school groups back when he worked as a childrens librarian. The librarian of basra a true story from iraq youtube. Her actions inspired two fabulous childrens books and earned her a place in the rich history of iraqi libraries. Her library is a meeting place for all who love books. This book is the true story of alia muhammad baker, a librarian in basra iraq. This picture book biography of alia muhammad baker tells the true story of a woman who worked to save nearly 70% of the library books in basra when war came. Alia muhammad baker, the chief librarian of al basrah central library. Amongst the titles she saved was a 700yearold book about the prophet muhammad. Alia muhammad bakeralia muhammad baker is a librarian in basra, iraq. Alia muhammad baker alia muhammad baker is a librarian in basra, iraq. The librarian of basra is a true story that takes place in 2003 in the city of basra in the country of iraq.
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. This book should be required reading for all students so they can appreciate the value of knowledge, history, peace, and books, and to respect librarians who go out of their way to help spread the message of education. Her story inspired two childrens books, one of them being the librarian. The other part that i didnt like about this book was the personification of the books inside the front cover. As the final lesson plan in a larger beginningoftheyear unit to establish routines and teach close reading skills, this plan is designed as an assessment.
The librarian of basra is as the subtitle states, a true story from iraq. As the war in iraq approaches her city, she wonders what will happen to the librarys thirty thousand books. For fourteen years, her library has been a meeting place for those who love books. Librarian of basra by jeanette winter, 9780152054458, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Iraqi librarian becomes cultural hero in 2 childrens. This file includes text dependent questions assessments for the 4 books used in 3rd grade engageny unit 1, module 1rain school by james rumford nasreens secret school by jeanette winter that book woman by heather henson the librarian of basra by jeanette winter this product does not contain any materials related to the supplemental stories added to the engage unitmodule after fall 20.
The book opens with a line from alia muhammad baker. The library has books in hundreds of different languages and even has a 700 year old book on prophet muhammad. The librarian of basra download ebook pdf, epub, tuebl, mobi. 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. As a child she was told the story of the burning of baghdads nizamiyya library and was horrified. Basra is a port city, in the sand swept country of iraq. She was proud of her countrys history and the priceless heritage provided by the books in. Book study for librarian of basra and alias mission. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read the librarian of basra. The author and illustrator, jeanette winter, begins her book with a quote from the librarian of basra. 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. Close reading and powerful notetaking on my own for teachers 3rd standards. Living history is not always sweet, but winter, who has made beauty from contemporary horror in september roses p. Presents the true story of how alia baker, the librarian of the basra library, and her friends managed to save the books of the library before the library was burned to the ground during the 2003 iraq war.
This lesson also has geography, writing, science, and math extension activities. Thoughts on the librarian of basra, canadian journal of education, vol. Created in picture book format, this is an excellent book for 8 to 12yearolds. The librarian, alia muhammad baker, tells of an instruction from the koran, the religious text of islam. When war comes to basra, alia saves the books in the only way she can see. Under alia s leadership, the library was a place where doctors, lawyers, professors, students and artists met each afternoon. Then she hears people talk about the war and how they think its coming to basra. In the book, the occupying forces in the iraq warthe u. One doublepage spread shows the inside of alias house. Its the true story of alia muhammad baker, a librarian in basra in iraq.
Alia muhammad baker also spelled baqer was the chief librarian in the al basrah central library, basra, iraq. A true story from iraq, by jeanette winter is the true story of alia muhammad baker. The story is clearly told and the importance of both taking action and valuing books shines through. When war seemed imminent, alia muhammad baker, chief librarian of basra s central library, was determined to protect the librarys holdings. Her library that has 30,000 books, is a meeting place for the book lovers of the city. In this lesson, students will use a graphic organizer to tell who, what, when, where, why, and how of a nonfiction text. This site is like a library, use search box in the widget to get ebook that you want. About the book alia muhammad baker is a librarian in basra, iraq.
Until a new library can be built, the books are safesafe with the librarian of basra. This is a reading lesson that integrates social studies and character education. Notable childrens trade book in the field of social studies designation. The librarian of basra by jeannette winter james h.
Books are more precious than mountains of gold to basra librarian alia muhammad baker. This book should be required reading for all students so they can appreciate the value of knowledge, history, peace, and books, and to respect librarians who go out of. Questions and activities for the librarian of basra 1. In the koran, the first thing god said to muhammad was read. Alia muhammad baker chief librarian of al basrah iraq central library, cultural heroine middle eastern. Guardian article about the difficulities of rebuilding the iraq national library. Now war has come, and alia fears that the library along with the thirty thousand books within it will be destroyed forever. Rain school, nasreens secret school, that book woman. 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. When the country was invaded, alia, the librarian was worried about the books in her library.
This is a book about the war and how important books are to some people. When the beast of war looms on the horizon, she and willing. The librarian of basra by jeanette winter scholastic. Florida parents try to ban childrens books set in iraq.
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