Alia's Mission: Saving the Books of Iraq

Alia's Mission: Saving the Books of Iraq is a moving and powerful testament to the importance of preserving cultural heritage in times of conflict. The book chronicles the story of Alia Muhammad Baker, a librarian at the Basra Central Library during the Iraq War in 2003. In the face of increasing violence and destruction, Alia refused to stand by and watch as the rich history and culture of her country were wiped out. With incredible courage and determination, she devised a plan to save the library's collection of 30,000 books, risking her own life to ensure that future generations could learn from and appreciate Iraq's past.Author Mark Alan Stamaty weaves together Alia's personal story with the broader historical and cultural context of Iraq to create a nuanced and deeply moving portrait of a woman who risked everything to protect her country's heritage. Through Stamaty's vivid illustrations and detailed descriptions, readers get a sense of the danger and uncertainty of the war-torn landscape and the hidden heroes like Alia who worked to protect their fragile cultural treasures.Alia's Mission: Saving the Books of Iraq is a must-read for anyone interested in history, culture, and the human stories that often get lost in the chaos of war. It is a book that reminds us of the importance of valuing and protecting our shared cultural heritage, no matter where we come from or what conflicts we may find ourselves in. This inspiring story will stay with readers long after they have turned the last page, inspiring them to think more deeply about the power of books and the human spirit in times of great adversity.