commonsensemedia.org wrote "A powerful story of teen risking all during Syrian Revolution." gave 5 out of 5 stars and recommends reading age from 15 years.
www.goodreads.com community has given 4.49 out of 5 stars with 71,917 ratings as at 18Dec25. Was also nominated for GoodReads Choice Award Young Adult Fiction.
Kirkusreviews.com wrote "Harrowing moments are juxtaposed against painfully beautiful memories of peaceful times, and readers will linger over the many exquisite sentences in this memorable novel that honors the stories of countless Syrians."
Salama Kassab was a pharmacy student when the cries for freedom broke out in Syria. She still had her parents and her big brother; she still had her home. She was even supposed to be meeting a boy to talk about marriage. Now Salama volunteers at a hospital in Homs, helping the wounded who flood through the doors. She knows that she should be thinking about leaving, but who will help the people of her beloved country if she doesn't?
With her heart so conflicted, her mind has conjured a vision to spur her to action.
His name is Khawf, and he haunts her nights with hallucinations of everything she has lost. But even with Khawf pressing her to leave, when she crosses paths with Kenan, the boy she was supposed to meet on that fateful day, she starts to doubt her resolve in leaving home at all. Soon, Salama must learn to see the events around her for what they truly are-not a war, but a revolution-and decide how she, too, will cry for Syria's freedom.
Historical
Paperback
Zoulfa Katouh
448 pages
H: 198mm W: 129mm