A lovely, magical book with beautiful illustrations. But it's tinged with sadness at how real it all is, wars that are fought all the time.
I liked that there is some information at the end of the book, describing all the wonderful things about Syria and showing there is much more to it than just a war zone.

I’m excited to add this to my classroom library. It’s a touching and heartbreaking story of war time in Syria and how children saved books and hid them to create a library and preserve their books and culture.

Inspired by a true story and dedicated to all children of war, this short book carries a powerful message. Sadly, it's a message as relevant today as it was when it was released in 2022. We get a brief look at Nour's pre-war life, one of family and fun...and books. She and her cousin Amir loved reading detective and mystery stories and dreamed of creating a sort of secret society. They day their friends were to meet to begin this adventure, however, an all-too-real adventure begins. Bombs start falling and the families are forced to flee to a basement for safety. The illustrations, which begin with light, warm, earth colors of sunshine and blue skies soon darkens, with black and dark depictions of the destruction about their once beautiful town. In the basement, however, amazing things are happening. Nour and Amir are building a soon not-so-secret library from books found blown into the streets by the force of the bombings or discarded in the rush to safety. This is their story, one of both the power of books and the hope for a better tomorrow for Nour and Amir and all those who live there.

Sadly, we know peace didn't come to the Middle East. Just as the lives of Nour and Amir were upended, bombs fall throughout the world disrupting, ending, and changing the lives of many, both adults and children. The uncertainty of war is depicted, as is the human need to find solace, a safe spot, so to speak, in books. I recall as meme I saw recently that said basically that reading is the means to travel to wondrous places while being unable to leave your home or, in this case, safe spot. This book showcases that hope, so while very clear in its depiction of how war changed lives, it also shows how the human spirit can rise above it all. How, in the midst of war, something beautiful, the library shared by so many, can be created. The often dream like illustrations add greatly to the story and despite the warfare, no lives being lost are mentioned. This is, after all, a story for children and what books can do for them, not destruction.

Bottom line, while the location has changed, this book would be an excellent introduction to children of how others have coped. Books are obviously the central element but the togetherness and cooperation of those trapped in an otherwise desolate area are also themes that can be emphasized. The comparison of this war, in Syria, and current wars, who knows which or how many by the time this review hits print, can also be a strong teaching tool. The author and illustrator both supply short bios, so to speak, that show the relevance to their lives. There is also a glossary and timeline of both history and the libraries down through the area, a reminder that there are consistent elements in people's lives everywhere. My sincere thanks to #NetGalley and #BarefootBooks for bringing this book to my attention. Books are powerful.

Nour's Secret Library tells the story of a community in Syria that managed to save thousands of books when their community was struck. by war. This book was inspired by real events mixed with the authors experiences as a child in Lebanon. With many words to a page, this would be a great read for any advanced reader, or as a book read aloud. The illustrations are detailed and dynamic, perfect to engage any reader to this story of the importance of books.

This book is both heartbreaking as well as heartwarming. Based on the true story of a secret library where the young people of Daraya in southwest Damascus in Syria, collected 15,000 books during the Syrian civil war.

Based on the author’s own experiences, this stunning book is about Nour and her cousin Amir who decide to create a secret library while bombs are causing destruction all around them.

The library started as a secret society, but ended up as a beacon of light is a world of darkness.

Illustrations and writing is exquisite. I read this book 3 times before writing this review as it was so wonderfully written, but also I feel like you capture different aspects every time you read it.

Highly recommend.

What a wonderful story combined with a history book. This book would be a great way to teach young and middle aged children about war - especially since they are likely hearing about it while it currently goes on in different parts of the world. I love the way this story is told and really liked the last few pages that gave a little more information about where the story came from, famous libraries, and maps and info about Syria, where the story takes place. Beautiful illustrations with such detail. Loved this book so much!

This is a touching, gorgeous picture book about some kids who managed to shine their own bright light in the midst of war. The story is so inspiring, and what makes it even better is how the author and illustrator have personal experiences that help them identify with the fictional kids in the story.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

With this touching story, Wafa' Tarnowska takes us inside the experience of living as a child in a city being torn apart by war. But she also shows the resilience and hope that persists. It's a simple, beautiful tale that is based in true events, which makes it even more touching. This story contains a line that may be one of my new favorites: "Every book was like a person wanting to be loved."

Vali Mintzi's soft, painterly illustrations remind me very much of the Madeline books by Ludwig Bemelmens (the first won Caldecott Honor). There is an absolutely gorgeous image of a ship riding on waves made up of books' pages. The ship contains the buildings and the people of the town. I interpret that as symbolizing how the books are keeping them safe and giving them hope that they're continuing to move forward.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this eARC for unbiased review.

War does is horrible, and it is horrible when it comes to you. In this picture book, based on a true story, Nour and her cousin, Amir, who have to take refuge in a basement when the fighting comes to Damascus.

It is boring to be in a basement, and so Amir, while he is going getting bread, noticed discarded books, and so decides to collect them. He and his friends help, and then they find a basement no one is using, and set up a library there. They open it to people in the neighborhood, and people come to read and look up things.

There is no happy ending to this book. The war in Syria is still going on.

But this is a sweet story of what children do to survive during times of war.

Thanks to Netgalley and Edelweiss for making this book available for an honest review.

loved this!!! it felt like a ray of light in the darkness!! books do that to people 🥺 and i absolutely loved the art. colourfull 🌷✨❤️🌼🌿

Nour sighed. "I guess reading keeps everyone's minds busy," she said. "Books don't fight with each other like people do."

thanks to netgalley and publisher for copy!

Short stories are often those with the biggest messages. Nour's Secret Library is a great reminder that even in the darkest times, there is always some light and something to look forward to. This is a beautiful story about the power of books and everything written between their covers. Illustrations that follow the story just amplified my emotions towards it. This book is a great choice for the youngest, but also for everyone older because it is always good to remind ourselves in what world we are living and what are still true values we should appraise.
Thank you NetGalley and publisher on the opportunity to be one of the 1st readers of this sweet book.

This is a really lovely book that looks at how books can be a comfort during a time of war. I loved that these kids saved the books and created a secret library for everyone to enjoy.
I liked the glossary at the end and the explanation of the book.


Thanks NetGalley for a copy of this book.

If you only read one book this year, let it be this one. This was so powerful! Based on the true story of courageous young people, it is sure to capture the heart of any lover of books. So inspiring while being so heartbreaking that people live in situations like this every day.

A heartwarming and beautifully illustrated tale about the power of books during war times. The power to educate, to entertain, to bring and keep people together and create resilient communities, all explored so well in this little gem of a book perfectly written for children and adults. The fact that it draws from real life events, and the information about Syria along with the actual story the plot was inspired by were so interesting to read.

To capture both the joy of literature and such powerful anti war messages in a book meant for kids takes real talent and the author certainly has plenty. I absolutely recommend this for everyone to go read.

Nour’s Secret Library by Wafa Tanowska is a heartwarming story of hope during war told from a child’s perspective. This vividly descriptive picture book takes you to Damascus Syria and allows you to experience the city through a Nour’s eyes. This book highlights great feelings of hope, family, community and the love of reading. The illustrations are very detailed and the illustrator uses colour to reflect the mood in the story. Knowing that it is inspired by a true story, it highlights the importance of books (libraries) during times of peace and war. I would recommend this book for a child’s personal, class, school or public library as its message is universal.
Thank you to Net Galley, Wafa Tanowska, and Barefoot Books for the opportunity to preview this important story. The opinions expressed are my own.

Nour’s Secret Library is a children’s book about a young girl and her cousin during the Syrian Civil War. They make a secret library in an abandoned building. This story is based on true events as well.

This was a great story that highlights the Syrian Civil War and the importance of books. I loved the story and the illustrations. I also liked the authors note and the real story in the back as well.

Thanks so much to netgalley and Barefoot Books for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!

This beautiful story book is based on a true story set in the town of Daraya near Damascus when the children of the town gathered together books over a four year period creating a library - a place of peace and salvation
This book tells the story of Nour and Amir who create a secret library for young and old; hidden in a cellar, books are saved and salvaged and stored for everyone to read.

Vali Mintzi’s illustrations are wonderfully emotive and the prose- albeit short - simply captures the power of the children’s intentions and achievement

This is a perfect book for lower Ks 2 to open minds and awareness to the tragedy of the Syrian War but also to show that amidst tragedy amazing things can take place; it will also shine a light on how books and stories can bring joy and escapism in times of adversity and we should all know and appreciate how lucky we are to have the books around us when so many don’t

A small book with a powerful message and one I’ll be recommending to colleagues and friends