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The Girl from Aleppo
The Girl from Aleppo: Nujeen's Escape from War to Freedom | Christina Lamb, Nujeen Mustafa
36 posts | 16 read | 21 to read
Prize-winning journalist and the co-author of smash New York Times bestseller I Am Malala, Christina Lamb, now tells the inspiring true story of another remarkable young hero: Nujeen Mustafa, a teenager born with cerebral palsy, whose harrowing journey from war-ravaged Syria to Germany in a wheelchair is a breathtaking tale of fortitude, grit, and hope that lends a face to the greatest humanitarian issue of our time, the Syrian refugee crisis. For millions around the globe, sixteen-year-old Nujeen Mustafa embodies the best of the human spirit. Confined to a wheelchair because of her cerebral palsy and denied formal schooling in Syria because of her illness, Nujeen taught herself English by watching American soap operas. When her small town became the epicenter of the brutal fight between ISIS militants and US-backed Kurdish troops in 2014, she and her family were forced to flee. Despite her physical limitations, Nujeen embarked on the arduous trek to safety and a new life. The grueling sixteen-month odyssey by foot, boat, and bus took her across Turkey and the Mediterranean to Greece, through Macedonia to Serbia and Hungary, and finally, to Germany. Yet, in spite of the tremendous physical hardship she endured, Nujeen's extraordinary optimism never wavered. Refusing to give in to despair or see herself as a passive victim, she kept her head high. As she told a BBC reporter, "You should fight to get what you want in this world." Nujeen's positivity and resolve infuses this unforgettable story of one young woman determined to make a better life for herself. Told by acclaimed British foreign correspondent Christina Lamb, Nujeen is a unique and powerful memoir that gives voice to the Syrian refugee crisis, helping us to understand that the world must changeand offering the inspiration to make that change reality.
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squirrelbrain
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Pickpick

Thanks for this recommendation @RachelO - a really interesting perspective on the refugee experience for #refugeeweek.

I agree with you though, Nujeen did come across very immature for her age and, dare I say it, a little self-absorbed. However, I guess that‘s a product of her upbringing and the way she was treated by her family and society. It was still an amazing journey that they undertook.⬇️

#readwithmrbook #aboutdisability

squirrelbrain I‘m also going to be a little bit naughty and use this for #northmacedonia for #readingeurope2020. They did cross the country but, as Nasreen herself said, it only took them 2 hours in real life so it‘s only a tiny part of the book but they still went! My only other option for this country is a huuuge intense chunkster so.... 😁 @BarbaraBB @Librarybelle 4y
rockpools That was quick! And yay for crossing off North Macedonia. What‘s the chunkster, so I can stack it 😉? And yes, she‘d definitely grown up very protected - I felt quite stressed for her sister at times. 4y
squirrelbrain Ha! You‘d love the chunkster - it‘s got very small writing too! I‘d have been interested to see a bit more of her sisters POV actually. And yes, it was a bit quick. I‘m getting a bit ‘skimmy‘ at the moment - it happens sometimes, particularly with NF and I‘ve read a lot of that recently.... need to calm down and enjoy! 4y
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rockpools @squirrelbrain Small print - my favourite! A definite must-read 🤪. I sympathise with the speed-reading, in a totally opposite kind of way - I just start everything very slowly and finish nothing 🙄. 4y
BarbaraBB Well done!! 4y
Librarybelle Works for me! 4y
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arlenefinnigan
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Pickpick

This is a great, eye opening insight into the experience of a refugee - an unimaginably difficult journey for anyone, but even more so for a disabled teenage girl. The author is honest and very engaging. A must read for anyone wanting to know more about Syria and the refugee crisis.

Velvetfur I heard an interview with this young lady on Woman's Hour ages ago, I didn't know there was a book about her though! I've got this stacked now 👍 6y
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arlenefinnigan
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Next up

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Insightsintobooks
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This sounds interesting. Has anyone read it?

#kindledeal #kindledeals #ebooksale

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BookishMe
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Pickpick

I like Christina Lamb's easy to read style, without compromising her co-writer's spirit. This is a good introduction for me to the migrant trail through Eastern Europe and glimpse into the reception (or lack of) of the homeless.
Tremendous respect for Germany and its system to integrate the asylum-seekers. I dare say that country treats immigrants better than some states treat own citizens!
#Syria #LitWorld2018GB
#refugees #Booked2018

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Riveted_Reader_Melissa
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Ok #GroupN here‘s my stack of to-read nonfiction. Anything look good, or is on your TBR list already.

#LMPBC

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Riveted_Reader_Melissa I‘ll admit, this one I‘ve read before, but it‘s on my re-read list for this year....I haven‘t read it since college, and I have a beautiful new edition. 6y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa Another one on my reread list for this year. I listened on audiobook the first time, loved it, and recently found a print copy on sale. I can‘t wait to reread it so I can catch the tiny things I missed before. 6y
BarbaraTheBibliophage One Thousand White Women, Walking with the Wind, Infidel and My Life on the Road are on my TBR. I‘ve read Henrietta already. The others all look great to me!! 6y
tjwill Such great choices! Warmth of Other Suns, Walking with the Wind, and My Life on the Road would be my picks. 6y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @BarbaraTheBibliophage I originally tagged and included One Thousand White Women because I thought it was non-fiction too, but it‘s actually historical fiction, so I took it out. 6y
BarbaraTheBibliophage @Riveted_Reader_Melissa I wondered ... I thought it was nonfiction too! 😜 6y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @BarbaraTheBibliophage We were both tricked! LOL 6y
Tamra I bailed on the audio of One Thousand White Women. Just didn‘t work for me, but I think the MC would be quite good in another context. (edited) 6y
Graywacke I‘ve only read (actually listened to) The Warmth of Other Suns. It‘s a special book and a perspective changer. 6y
daniwithtea Henrietta Lacks is an *amazing* book. These all sound great! 6y
Tamra @daniwithtea yes! I listened to this one. 6y
BookwormM Wild swans and Henrietta are excellent books 6y
BarbaraTheBibliophage No clear consensus here ... 6y
tjwill @BarbaraTheBibliophage @Riveted_Reader_Melissa @daniwithtea Walking with the Wind? Or My Life on the Road? 6y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa Well if all goes well, after these make the rounds I can send the other on a second round. LOL. But for now, I‘m going to say let‘s go with Walking With the Wind, I think both would be great as a communal read, but since it‘s one no one else owns, it seems like a good one to share. 6y
BarbaraTheBibliophage @daniwithtea @tjwill @Riveted_Reader_Melissa I do actually own a copy, but it‘s more fun to read with the markup anyway. Then I‘ll have a clean copy for reread or gift. We have our four! What an efficient bunch we are! If I read the dates right, we have until July 31 to read, mark up and send our picks. Seems ages away! 6y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @BarbaraTheBibliophage Whew! If I needed to have it done by the end of June I‘d better start setting aside some more reading time....well that or return a bunch unread to the library, ASAP. 6y
tjwill @Riveted_Reader_Melissa @daniwithtea @BarbaraTheBibliophage Great! We have 4 great picks! I‘m looking forward to reading these with you all! 6y
KateFulfordAuthor Can I start off your July TBR?! If you need another recommendation, may I point you to my People‘s Book Prize nominated debut? Sassy female narrative, laugh out dialogue and a pacy plot. Check the link in the bio for 2 free chapters, reviews and more. 6y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @KateFulfordAuthor Thank you, I‘ll check it out. 6y
KateFulfordAuthor You are most welcome Melissa 6y
72 likes32 comments
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Rusty37

"I hate it when women give up their true natures; you should be crazy, fall in love, cry over movies and sing in the rain, no matter how powerful you become."

MayJasper Hello and welcome 7y
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Rusty37
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I'm really enjoying this at the moment - an engaging story from a unique perspective

RaimeyGallant I've been hearing about this one. :) And welcome to Litsy! #LitsyWelcomeWagon Some of us put together Litsy tips to help new Littens navigate the site. It's the link in my bio on my page in case you need it. Or if you prefer how-to videos, @chelleo put some together at the link in her bio. 7y
Chelleo Welcome 🤗 7y
Jess_Read_This 💐Welcome to Litsy!!💐 7y
Rusty37 @RaimeyGallant @Chelleo @Jess_Read_This Thanks! I'm excited to be here!! 7y
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erzascarletbookgasm
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Nujeen Mustafa is a young Syrian girl confined to a wheelchair with cerebral palsy. In this biography, co-authored with Christina Lamb, she reveals the hardship and treacherous story of fleeing her country and begging for refuge to start a new life in Germany.
#refugees #junebookbugs @RealLifeReading

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rockpools
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Pickpick

Memoir of a young teenager with cerebral palsy, growing up in Syria who, with her older sister Nasreen, travels across Europe to seek refuge in Germany, at a time when countries are closing their borders. For a girl who's spent much of her life at home with the tv, learning facts, it's an adventure. A surprisingly easy, very real read, eye-opening in many ways.

As a PS, turns out she spoke at a local Tedx last month: https://youtu.be/R3r4gnSouqQ

bobregina 💛 7y
rockpools Also has a central immigration narrative for #readharder. (edited) 7y
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rockpools
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#currentlyreading on audio. Nujeen is a young teenager with cerebral palsey. Unable to walk, her life revolves round TV; her family's life revolves round her. When the war in Syria intensifies, they first flee Aleppo before leaving the country to find safety. The absurdity of life in a war zone, and the frustrations of a teenage girl whose life and tv-viewing have been horribly disrupted, make this a very real read. #smellsliketeenspirit #junetunz

Cinfhen Sounds like an amazing read! Thanks for posting and sharing 💙 7y
arlenefinnigan That sounds amazing. Listened to A Hope Greater Than The Sea last month, it was so moving. 7y
rockpools @arlenefinnigan I'd missed that one - will look it out. 7y
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Vikz
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Chantelle
Pickpick

"I hope you see I am not just a number. None of us are."

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nickimags

Love this sentence Nujeen writes when her sister is trying to encourage her "Sometimes sisters can be sweet as birds even if they support the wrong football team "

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Jgotham
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"It made me think that people need to be in the right place at the right time to shine." Inspiring kid for sure.

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Jgotham
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I'm trying to understand points of view from other people and cultures so I saw this book and knew I had to pick it up. Syrian refugee who makes the crossing in a wheelchair-I'm ready for this 📚

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Dvmheather
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Pickpick

This is a smart and sassy book. If you need a good understanding of the war in Syria, check this out. Nujeen has cerebral palsy. She lived in Aleppo. She never left their apartment due to a lack of infrastructure for disabled people. Then the war started and they had to flee. Full review at http://www.spiritblog.net/nujeen/

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nickimags

"People say that history is written by the victors, but here is something I don't understand. Why is it we always glorify the bad guys? Even though they have done terrible things we talk about them being charismatic or brilliant military leaders... I hate fact that I don't know anything about the good people but everything about the bad people...."

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Sassy_Steph

Everyone must read this book! It will make you appreciate all that you have and make you realize things are pretty damn good in your world! I was feeling like nothing was going my way lately, so I thought maybe I needed a reality check! Life is good! This girl is inspiring and has faced such adversity!! Read it

nickimags Wow sounds like a great book! 8y
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Dvmheather
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She is discussing how the Syrian Revolution seemed so far away from her life because she lived in a safe city - Aleppo.

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Dvmheather
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Started this today and I'm loving it. She smart and sassy when telling her story. Anyone needing #diversitydecbingo help needs to know about this book - disabled MC, refugee MC, POC on cover, etc.

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Lindy
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Displaced and disabled, Kurdish teenager Nujeen Mustafa has this advice: "If you want to stay happy and healthy, don't watch the news."

Kimzey Good advice! 8y
nickimags Or the news online! 8y
Lindy @nickimags That's right. 👍 8y
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Lindy
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Pickpick

Nujeen has a form of cerebral palsy and has never been able to walk, so she spent a lot of time watching tv while growing up in Syria. She learned English from her favourite show, Days of Our Lives. Her spirited memoir reminds us that the tide of Syrian refugees, as seen in the media, is made up of individuals. The audiobook, narrated by Raghad Chaar, is highly engaging.

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Lindy

To be a successful migrant, you need to know the law, you need to be resourceful, you need a smartphone and to be on Facebook and Whatsapp. You need some money. Ideally, you know a bit of English. And, in my case, you need a sister to push your wheelchair.

Lindy For an image to go with this quote, pick any of the thousands of heartbreaking photos of refugees on the Internet, and imagine a teen with cerebral palsy in among them. 8y
31 likes1 comment
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Lindy
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"If you are going to take us back in time, ditch the Rolex watch."

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Lindy
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Up next in audio: memoir of a Syrian refugee.

shawnmooney OMG! I love the fact that this book exists, and I must read it as soon as possible! Can't wait to hear your thoughts on it… 8y
Lindy @shawnmooney I'm halfway through. She is full of spunk! 8y
shawnmooney Wonderful! So you'd recommend it on audio rather than text? 8y
Lindy Raghad Chaar narrates, and I feel like I'm actually listening to Nujeen talk, so I'm happy getting her story this way. 8y
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