Learn how Muhammad engaged other Syrian youth and gained the world’s attention with his citizen reporting.
- Eliza F., 11 years old
“A Syrian kid living through the Syrian civil war decides to interview other kids his age using his phone to document what’s going on. He shares it on social media like YouToube, Twitter and Facebook. He felt like he was being targeted by bombs for his news videos. Tense, informative, serious, sad, but also has happy moments. Read it all in one sitting. Hard to put down.”
- Anderson Cooper, CNN anchor
“What an amazing story this is! One family’s struggle for survival in the chaos of Syria, and one boy’s courageous decision to risk his life to tell the story. This graphic memoir is inspiring and exciting, powerful and very poignant. I loved it!”
- Kristy Cooper, author and mom
“My 10-year-old recommended this book to me. There’s something pretty cool about sharing books with your kids their whole lives and then them being big enough to read something first and tell you about it because they think you would enjoy it too. And I did! What a great true story about a brave boy living in a war zone.”
- The Northern Valley (NJ) Press
"The book arguably will be required reading, and deserves a place in the classroom alongside such works as Art Spiegelman's 'Maus'...and Marjane Satrapi's 'Persepolis'"
Praise for Muhammad Najem, War Reporter
A teenage boy risks his life to tell the truth in this gripping graphic memoir co-authored with youth activist Muhammad Najem.
This book was selected for NPR’s Best Books of 2022 and was a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection.
Muhammad Najem, War Reporter
Muhammad Najem was only eight years old when the war in Syria began. He was thirteen when his beloved Baba, his father, was killed in a bombing while praying. By fifteen, Muhammad didn’t want to hide anymore—he wanted to act. He was determined to reveal what families like his were enduring in Syria: bombings by their own government and days hiding in dark underground shelters.
Armed with the camera on his phone and the support of his family, he started reporting on the war using social media. He interviewed other kids like him to show what they hope for and dream about. More than anything, he did it to show that Syrian kids like his toddler brother and infant sister, were just like kids in any other country. Despite unimaginable loss, Muhammad was always determined to document the humanity of the Syrian people. Eventually, the world took notice.
This tenderly illustrated graphic memoir is told by Muhammad himself along with CNN producer Nora Neus, who helped break Muhammad’s story and bring his family’s plight to an international audience.
About This Book
I offer engaging school visits and speaking engagements for audiences of all ages!
