A touching story about the horrors of war and the difficulties of a life in exile, this novel focuses on the travails of a Catholic Iraqi family. Dalil is a 13-year-old boy living through the perils of the Gulf War. Amid the deafening blast of bombs and the constant threat of missile attacks, only one thing brings him happiness: his friend Shaima. His love for her is the only bright spot in an existence otherwise plagued by fear, uncertainty, and incomprehension. As his family's situation becomes untenable, they must decide between remaining in Iraq or joining Dalil's uncle in France. The thought of leaving his homeland behind leaves Dalil with conflicting emotions: on the one hand, he is desperate to leave behind the war. On the other, however, he is unable to imagine a life without Shaima. This beautifully wrought tale will resonate with young adult readers.
"Una conmovedora historia sobre los horrores de la guerra y las dificultades de una vida en el exilio, esta novela se centra en una familia catolica iraqui. Dalil es un nino de 13 anos viviendo los peligros de la Guerra del Golfo. En medio del sonido ensordecedor de las bombas y la amenaza de los misiles, solo una cosa le hace feliz: su amiga Shaima. El amor que siente por la nina es lo unico que le permite superar un dia a dia marcado por el miedo, la incertidumbre y la incomprension. A medida que la situacion de su familia se hace insostenible, tienen que decidir entre quedarse en Irak o reunirse en Francia con el tio de Dalil. La idea de dejar su pais natal provoca en Dalil sentimientos encontrados: por un lado, quiere dejar atras la guerra, pero por otro, no es capaz de imaginarse su vida sin Shaima. Esta historia bellamente narrada resonara con los lectores jovenes."