A picture book that is both heart-breaking and heart-warming while being filled with wonderful art.

"The world of books is wonderful, Nour thought, looking at the pile of books around her. Like a galaxy full of stars. Some are shinier than others, but together they make the sky sparkle."

You could pull a beautiful quote from nearly every page in this children's book. But, I think the one above may be my favorite. It's a moment of hope and light in a story that feels quite sad.

Inspired by a true story, as well as the author's own experiences, this book introduces children to what kids around the world go through in times of war. The story however is not too heavy for kids and carries a message of prevailing hopefulness. This book would be a great addition to any family's library.

I didn't expect I would loving this book. I read it just because it has "library" on the title. But, I was wrong!
Nour's Secret Library is about the spirit of keep on reading and learning to fight back for the injustice. It doesn't have to be a grand movement. You can start by bringing one book to the community, ask them to go with you to the library, and talk about whatever they are reading.

This is also book contains of hope. Whenever Nour and friends face something bad (because of the war and attack), they can always run into the secret library. Hide in a "safest" place while still exploring the world through books.

I would definitely recommend this book to my friends and followers.

Thank you NetGalley for this opportunity!

A lot of people, including me, truly believe that books can help people during the tough times, including war. I have read a couple of stories (both fiction and non-fiction) of how books saved people during different wars. This was my first illustrated one and I think such a beautiful book that came to me thanks to NetGalley and Barefoot Books.

Nour’s Secret Library is a true story inspired by young people in Damascus who rescued books from being destroyed during the Syrian War. The story revolves aorund a girl named Nour and her cousin Amir, who start rescuing books from destroyed / abandoned homes during the war against their city and start alibrary in a basement. The library eventually becomes a space for people to come together, read and be a part of a community.

The story is so hopeful, especially when there are multiple wars going on around us even today. The illustrations by Vali Mintzi are gorgeous! They use vibrant and bright colours when talking about Nour, Amir and their activities which is in complete contrast with the grey illustrations that portray the war.

I think this is such a nice book to read for children (or if you are an adult who doesn’t scoff at children’s books) just to make them see the magic of books or any kind acts.

A beautiful story, based on real life which makes it all the more special and will be a great addition to the classroom. Based on true events during the Syrian Civil war in 2011, Noor and her cousin Amir rescue books they find on the streets after their hometown of Damascus is constantly bombed. During the day, they go out to rescue abandoned books, shelves and cushions and set up an underground library for people to borrow books, for medical people to learn how to help people and for an escape into the world of books. Books give people hope and the library brings people together during a turbulent and upsetting time. A wonderful story and the illustrations are beautiful.

This is a wonderful story! I love that it is based on a true story. Great book for young ones to see a little part of history from a younger voice. I did feel like some parts were slow - this is not a fast paced book, so if you like a slower paced children’s book this would be for you

Based on a true story, this book beautifully illustrates the ability of stories to transport us, to protect us, and to save our sanity in difficult circumstances.

After the Syrian war begins, Nour and her cousin take the courageous step of preserving books in a secret underground library. By doing so, they provide a much needed resource to an embattled community struggling to survive under siege.

While the topic is a serious one, this story does provide an age-appropriate introduction to children for what it is like to be living in a war torn country. The illustrations fit the story well.

All in all, this book does a good job of writing about a tough topic whilst providing inspiration on how small acts can make a big difference.

Based on a true event during the Syrian war and also from the author's own life during the Lebanese civil war, author Wafa' Tarnowska tells a story about the vital role a library played in the life of her young main character Nour.

Nour and Amir decide to form a secret society for them and their friends, but on the day of their first meeting, war breaks out and everyone is forced to hide underground for safety. During supply runs, people begin bringing back books to the shelter, with the hope of alleviating boredom and giving comfort.

The library they created stays open everyday till dark, and people not only got a respite from their troubles, but learn things such as how to treat wounds. The library remains a secret for years, and becomes a beacon of hope.

This beautifully illustrated story is wonderful, as it shows how books and libraries can give people a refuge and a place to learn in dark times.

Thank you to Netgalley and to Barefoot Books for this ARC in exchange for my review.

This book was really sad and really touching. While I appreciated the meaning, I don’t think I would feel comfortable reading this to my 6 year old, but maybe to an older child. I love the message of books bringing everyone comfort and bringing them together.

Wow! I believe that this book is destined to be one of the best children’s book of 2024.

Inspired by young people living southwest of Damascus. At the beginning of the Syrian civil war, the government cut off water, electricity and food supplies. Most people fled, but about 8,000 people stayed. Young people saved about 15,000 books and created a library in the basement of an abandoned building.

Written by Wafa’ Tarnowska, beautifully illustrated by Cali Mintzi.

Many thanks to NetGalley and publisher Barefoot Books for approving my request to read the advance read copy of Nour’s Secret Library in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the idea behind this, how it showed a positive light in the darkness of war, demonstrating how a seemingly small act can snowball and come to mean so much. Sometimes I felt the writing was slightly ‘corny’ or tried to hard possibly. All in all a very good book for sharing and raising discussion points.

What a lovely story about a community in Damascus holding on to hope during the war through the love of books. The illustrations truly drew me in.

I seem to have rediscovered a love for children’s literature. I wonder if it’s because kids’ books these days have so much more substance than when I was growing up? I was a voracious reader from a very young age, but because of mundane topics, I often found myself reading books way beyond my age bracket. Note: BOOKS beyond my age-bracket, not TOPICS.

Topics like war are not inappropriate for kids. But the way in which they are written, make a big difference, which is why I wish that my first introductions to injustice had come from books written for what was then my age group. I think I might have been less overwhelmed by the world, then. I feel that Nour’s Secret Library is written with enough sensitivity for a young reader’s developing mind, without making light of the very real experiences of their peers in war-torn countries (in this case, Syria).

Important themes include friendship, family, safety during war, and the comfort of books.

I adore the illustration style - there is something about the slightly-limited palette that fits perfectly.

Nour’s Secret Library does not simply tell a story: the end of the book includes useful information about Syria, the history of libraries in the ancient world (and their destruction), the inspiration for the book, and a note about the author’s own lived experiences in Lebanon.

This book offers a good, if unresolved, introduction to the very real battles faced by youngsters around the world, and will foster creativity and empathy in young readers.

What a little gem this book is. It brings the reality of war but also the element of hope through both the words and the colour choice for the illustrations. I loved the comparison of books being like people. It illustrates the importance of the written word as a source of comfort for both adults and children. Thank you for the information section at the end too.

A lovely, magical book with beautiful illustrations. But it's tinged with sadness at how real it all is, wars that are fought all the time.
I liked that there is some information at the end of the book, describing all the wonderful things about Syria and showing there is much more to it than just a war zone.

I’m excited to add this to my classroom library. It’s a touching and heartbreaking story of war time in Syria and how children saved books and hid them to create a library and preserve their books and culture.

Inspired by a true story and dedicated to all children of war, this short book carries a powerful message. Sadly, it's a message as relevant today as it was when it was released in 2022. We get a brief look at Nour's pre-war life, one of family and fun...and books. She and her cousin Amir loved reading detective and mystery stories and dreamed of creating a sort of secret society. They day their friends were to meet to begin this adventure, however, an all-too-real adventure begins. Bombs start falling and the families are forced to flee to a basement for safety. The illustrations, which begin with light, warm, earth colors of sunshine and blue skies soon darkens, with black and dark depictions of the destruction about their once beautiful town. In the basement, however, amazing things are happening. Nour and Amir are building a soon not-so-secret library from books found blown into the streets by the force of the bombings or discarded in the rush to safety. This is their story, one of both the power of books and the hope for a better tomorrow for Nour and Amir and all those who live there.

Sadly, we know peace didn't come to the Middle East. Just as the lives of Nour and Amir were upended, bombs fall throughout the world disrupting, ending, and changing the lives of many, both adults and children. The uncertainty of war is depicted, as is the human need to find solace, a safe spot, so to speak, in books. I recall as meme I saw recently that said basically that reading is the means to travel to wondrous places while being unable to leave your home or, in this case, safe spot. This book showcases that hope, so while very clear in its depiction of how war changed lives, it also shows how the human spirit can rise above it all. How, in the midst of war, something beautiful, the library shared by so many, can be created. The often dream like illustrations add greatly to the story and despite the warfare, no lives being lost are mentioned. This is, after all, a story for children and what books can do for them, not destruction.

Bottom line, while the location has changed, this book would be an excellent introduction to children of how others have coped. Books are obviously the central element but the togetherness and cooperation of those trapped in an otherwise desolate area are also themes that can be emphasized. The comparison of this war, in Syria, and current wars, who knows which or how many by the time this review hits print, can also be a strong teaching tool. The author and illustrator both supply short bios, so to speak, that show the relevance to their lives. There is also a glossary and timeline of both history and the libraries down through the area, a reminder that there are consistent elements in people's lives everywhere. My sincere thanks to #NetGalley and #BarefootBooks for bringing this book to my attention. Books are powerful.

Nour's Secret Library tells the story of a community in Syria that managed to save thousands of books when their community was struck. by war. This book was inspired by real events mixed with the authors experiences as a child in Lebanon. With many words to a page, this would be a great read for any advanced reader, or as a book read aloud. The illustrations are detailed and dynamic, perfect to engage any reader to this story of the importance of books.

This book is both heartbreaking as well as heartwarming. Based on the true story of a secret library where the young people of Daraya in southwest Damascus in Syria, collected 15,000 books during the Syrian civil war.

Based on the author’s own experiences, this stunning book is about Nour and her cousin Amir who decide to create a secret library while bombs are causing destruction all around them.

The library started as a secret society, but ended up as a beacon of light is a world of darkness.

Illustrations and writing is exquisite. I read this book 3 times before writing this review as it was so wonderfully written, but also I feel like you capture different aspects every time you read it.

Highly recommend.

What a wonderful story combined with a history book. This book would be a great way to teach young and middle aged children about war - especially since they are likely hearing about it while it currently goes on in different parts of the world. I love the way this story is told and really liked the last few pages that gave a little more information about where the story came from, famous libraries, and maps and info about Syria, where the story takes place. Beautiful illustrations with such detail. Loved this book so much!

This is a touching, gorgeous picture book about some kids who managed to shine their own bright light in the midst of war. The story is so inspiring, and what makes it even better is how the author and illustrator have personal experiences that help them identify with the fictional kids in the story.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this