The librarian of basra controversy

It is hard to imagine how startled alia muhammad baker, the chief librarian of basra, iraq, has. Alia muhammad baker is the librarian of basra, a port city in the sandswept country of iraq. Living history is not always sweet, but winter, who has made beauty from contemporary horror in september roses p. Critics have said that the books nasreens secret school and the librarian of basra are inappropriate for students because they promote. 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. Baqer saved around thirty thousand books from destruction during the iraq war, including a biography of muhammad from around 0. Throughout history books and sometimes the people who read them have faced danger.

She chose an approved book, the librarian of basra by jeanette winter. In the koran, the first thing god said to muhammad was read. The librarian of basra is especially appropriate for younger children with its colorful stylized illustrations and simple text. The librarian of basra tells the story of a woman who saved books from a library that was later burned down. Her library that has 30,000 books, is a meeting place for the book lovers of the city. She started removing the most valuable books a few at. Grade 24 when war seemed imminent, alia muhammad baker, chief librarian of basras central library, was determined to protect the librarys holdings.

Apr 16, 2018 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. She was proud of her countrys history and the priceless heritage provided by the books in. The librarian of basra by jeanette winter, jeanette. The lesson is written for fourth grade, but could definitely be modifiedchanged for the upper grade levels. This librarian remembers reading it aloud to day care centers and after school groups back when he worked as a childrens librarian. One of the books stirred ignorant controversy and hateful comments about her choice of book. The book is about a librarian who safeguards 30,000 books during the iraqi war. Jack sprat plus lots more nursery rhymes 42 minutes compilation from little baby bum. Books challenged or banned in 20152016, by robert p.

Mar 17, 2005 iraqi librarian becomes cultural hero in 2 childrens books. Librarian of basra is the true story of a librarian who fought to save. Alia muhammad baker was the chief librarian of the central library in basra, iraq, a meeting place for many and quite near one of basras best restaurants. 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. Jul 20, 2015 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. The book was named to the new york public librarys books to remember list and to the american. A true story from iraq hmh books for young readers challenged in the duval county, fla. A meeting place for discussions and connections, alia loved her job. It describes in a simple, tame way, the confusion and alarm of residents in the face of the war. Alia muhammad baqer was the chief librarian in the al basrah central library in basra iraq. A true story from iraq by jeanette winter 2005 about a librarian who saves.

When war loomed and grew more imminent, alia wanted to move the books to a safer location. The invasion of iraq reached basra on april 6, 2003. When war comes to basra, alia saves the books in the only way she can see. The librarian of basra by jeanette winter, jeanette winter. She was proud of her countrys history and the priceless heritage provided by the books in her library. Alia muhammad bakeralia muhammad baker is a librarian in basra, iraq.

She is the head librarian of the basra city library. Basra is also iraqs main port, although it does not have deep water access, which is handled at the port of umm qasr the city is one of the ports from which the fictional sinbad the sailor journeyed. For fourteen years, her library has been a meeting place for those who love books. Iraqi librarian saved 30,000 books during 2003 invasion al. A basra librarian remembers how she moved 30,000 books out of the citys central library to a neighboring restaurant and later to her. The battle of basra lasted from 21 march to 6 april 2003 and was one of the first battles of the 2003 invasion of iraq. Jul 20, 2015 the librarian of basra tells the story of a woman who saved books from a library that was later burned down. Alia muhammad baker, librarian in basra, iraq, is storing about 30,000 books and manuscripts that were spirited away from basra central library. 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. The library has books in hundreds of different languages and even has a 700 year old book on prophet muhammad. When she requests permission to move the books to a place where they will be safe, the governor denies her request. Jeffrey gardere said he believes the controversial. Critics have said that the books nasreens secret school and the librarian of basra are inappropriate for students because they promote another religion besides christianity and are too violent. Its the true story of alia muhammad baker, a librarian in basra in iraq who risked her life to shelter and shuttle books in her library during the iraq war.

Sep 07, 20 alia muhammad baker is a librarian in basra, iraq. Basra is a port city, in the sand swept 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. While elements of the parachute regiment cleared the old quarter of the city that was inaccessible to. Mar 17, 20 iraqi librarian saved 30,000 books during 2003 invasion.

Now the story of alia will be told for years through reading the librarian of basra by jeanette winter and alias mission by mark alan stamaty. In an interview with the author of the librarian of basra, jeanette winter says that the idea that one person could. An authors note gives backgound at the end of the book. Now war has come, and alia fears that the libraryalong with the thirty thousand books within itwill be destroyed forever. Jun 28, 2019 the librarian of basra is as the subtitle states, a true story from iraq. Iraqi librarian becomes cultural hero in 2 childrens books. 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. Alia muhammad baker has a career as a librarian but a passion for her people and culture. We use cookies to give you the best possible experience. Alia muhammad baker is the librarian in basra, iraq. Now war has come, and alia fears that the libraryalong with the.

Childrens books set in afghanistan, iraq challenged in. Jul 27, 2003 alia muhammad baker, librarian in basra, iraq, is storing about 30,000 books and manuscripts that were spirited away from basra central library as british forces stormed basra in early april, just. Jul 23, 2011 the librarian of basra is especially appropriate for younger children with its colorful stylized illustrations and simple text. The controversy comes at the same time as the hood county clerk refused to sign off on. The british 7 armoured brigade fought their way into iraqs secondlargest city, basra, on 6 april coming under constant attack by the iraqi army 51st division and fedayeen. Alia muhammed baker, known as the librarian of basra, saved many books from the iraq national library before it was burned in the war in 2003. 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. As a child she was told the story of the burning of baghdads nizamiyya library and was horrified.

The librarian, alia muhammad baker, tells of an instruction from the koran, the religious text of islam. As the war in iraq approaches her city, she wonders what will happen to the librarys thirty thousand books. The story of a librarian in basra, iraq, named alia muhammad baker, who took it upon herself to save the 30,000 new and ancient books in her library before the war came and destroyed everything. Jul 19, 2015 the librarian of basra is a book about a librarian in iraq trying to protect books during the recent war and it is going to be used this year in the districts third grade classes and it has recently generated some controversy. Basra is also iraqs main port, although it does not have deep water access, which is handled at the port of umm qasr. Baker saved an estimated 30,000 books from destruction during the iraq war, including a biography of muhammad from around 0. This lesson also has geography, writing, science, and math extension activities. Nasreens secret school is about a girl seeking an education in an area. Alia was the chief librarian at the al basrah central library in basra, iraq.

Alia muhammad baker is the reallife librarian of basra. When the governor of basra refuses her request to move the books to a safe place, alia takes matters into her own hands. They discuss matters of the world and matters of the spirit. Florida parents try to ban childrens books set in iraq and. Florida parents try to ban childrens books set in iraq. The invasion of iraq by the allied forces reached basra on april 6. A true story from iraq jeanette winter, author and illustrator harcourt, inc. This true story is a moving tale of one librarians attempts to save the beloved books in her library as war becomes imminent. Jul 06, 2018 alia muhammed baker, known as the librarian of basra, saved many books from the iraq national library before it was burned in the war in 2003. Alia muhammad baker alia muhammad baker is a librarian in basra, iraq. Librarian of basra is the true story of a librarian who fought to save 30,000 volumes from being destroyed when american and british forces bombed basra. 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. In an interview with the author of the librarian of basra, jeanette winter says that the idea that one person could make a difference was what really struck her. In april 2003, the invasion of iraq reaches basra, a port city.

Alia states that in the koran, god told his messenger muhammad to read. 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. A basra librarian remembers how she moved 30,000 books out of the citys central library to a neighboring restaurant and later to her home, before the looting and burning of the library in the. Her actions inspired two fabulous childrens books and earned her a place in the rich history of iraqi libraries.

Alia muhammad baker, the chief librarian of al basrah central library. The librarian of basra is a book about a librarian living in wartorn iraq. A true story from iraq, by jeanette winter is the true story of 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 their. Created in picture book format, this is an excellent book for 8 to 12yearolds. The librarian of basra is a book about a librarian in iraq trying to protect books during the recent war and it is going to be used this year in the districts third grade classes and it has recently generated some controversy. The city is one of the ports from which the fictional sinbad the sailor journeyed. Apr 08, 2015 jack sprat plus lots more nursery rhymes 42 minutes compilation from little baby bum. Under alia s leadership, the library was a place where doctors, lawyers, professors, students and artists met each afternoon.

Oct 15, 2012 the librarian of basra by jeanette winter. Alia muhammad baker chief librarian of al basrah iraq. 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. Alia muhammad baker also spelled baqer was the chief librarian in the al basrah central library, basra, iraq. She became worried about the books where she was head librarian. This book is the true story of alia muhammad baker, a librarian in basra iraq. The author and illustrator, jeanette winter, begins her book with a quote from the librarian of basra. Grade 24 when war seemed imminent, alia muhammad baker, chief librarian of basra s central library, was determined to protect the librarys holdings. Iraqi librarian saved 30,000 books during 2003 invasion.

The librarian of basra by jeanette winter scholastic. Alia muhammad baker, the chief librarian of basras central library is worried the books will be destroyed. Lesson plan for the librarian of basra middle eastern studies. Nyc third graders to read books about war as part of new. Fearing imminent war, alia muhammad baker takes matters into her own hands to save the books in her library. Iraqi librarian becomes cultural hero in 2 childrens. This book is written for all ages however the faith questions here are for older adolescents. Missing the real controversy with the librarian of basra book. Librarian of basra by jeanette winter, 9780152054458, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Libraries, saving books, war, middle east openingsynopsis.

There are nonfiction books, including the librarian of basra. Now war has come, and alia fears that the libraryalong with the thirty thousand books w. Both tell the story of alia muhammed baker, the chief librarian of basra, iraq, who saved 30,000 books from basras library before it burned during the u. The librarian of basra is as the subtitle states, a true story from iraq. 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. Banned and challenged picture books edmonton public library. The edmonton public librarys intellectual freedom policy is based on the canadian charter of rights and freedoms. Children and adults will read these books to help them understand the sacrifice one woman made to keep literature alive through the ravages of war. Questions and activities for the librarian of basra 1. Mark alan stamaty is a cartoonist, and alias mission tells the story through graphic cartoon panels. Alia muhammad baker chief librarian of al basrah iraq central library, cultural heroine middle eastern.

Its the true story of alia muhammad baker, a librarian in basra in iraq who risked her life to. This is a reading lesson that integrates social studies and character education. Her library is a meeting place for all who love books. These two recent childrens books grades k12 present a positive opportunity to open up discussions of the iraq war with students. The story of a librarian in basra, iraq, named alia muhammad baker, who took it upon herself to save the 30,000 new and ancient books in her library before the war. The book opens with a line from alia muhammad baker. Questions and activities for the librarian of basra.