Wild Poppies
Written by Haya Saleh
and Marcia Lynx Qualey
Published by Levine Querido
Since the passing of their father, Omar has tried—and in his little brother Sufyan’s eyes, failed—to be the man of his family of Syrian refugees. As Omar waits in line for rations, longing for the books he left behind when his family fled their home, Sufyan explores more nontraditional methods to provide for his family. Ignoring his brother’s warnings, Sufyan gets more and more involved with a group that provides him with big rewards for doing seemingly inconsequential tasks.
When the group abruptly gets more intense—taking Sufyan and other boys away from their families, teaching them how to shoot guns—Sufyan realizes his brother is right. But is it too late for Sufyan to get out of this?
It’s left to the bookish Omar to rescue his brother and reunite his family. He will have to take charge and be brave in ways he has never dared to before.
Primary ISBN: 9781646142019
Publication Date: May 2023
Available As: Hardcover, Audiobook, eBook
Middle Grade, Age 10 or older
Community Represented: Syrian/Syrian American
Themes: Audiobook, Family Relationship: Siblings, Human Rights Violation: Child Soldiers, Loss of Childhood, Own Voices/Lived Experience, Refugee: War/Conflict, Trauma & Healing: Death of Family or Friend, Trauma & Healing: Physical Assault, Trauma & Recovery: Substance Use
Setting: Syria
Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: In Home Country
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