My name is Bana

Bana, a Syrian girl, is named after a tall bushy tree that grows in her homeland. Her mother tells her that she was given this name so she would be strong just like the tree. In this short picture-book memoir, Bana describes how she had to be brave when war broke out in Syria, bombs fell from the sky, and she was forced to escape in an airplane to an unknown country. Riaz's childlike illustrations fill in more of the story of Bana, who became an activist by documenting the war in Aleppo via Twitter. While the text doesn't mention her social-media activism or her anti-war speeches around the world, full-page illustrations shows Bana at her computer and at a podium talking about children in wartime conditions. Despite her war and refugee experiences, Bana ends her story with hope. A concluding author's note gives readers more information about Bana's life and #standwithaleppo movement. Although she encourages children to be strong, she also reminds adults: "Kids shouldn't always have to be so strong."

When brown-haired, light-skinned Bana asks her mother, who wears a headscarf, about the meaning of her name, her mother explains in Arabic how she and Bana's father wanted Bana to channel the strength of a particular species of Syrian tree. A routine series of explanations follows, centering on various meanings of strength: "It means you use your mighty/ voice to speak up when you see/ something that is wrong or unfair." When war comes to her country, Bana must discover just how strong she can be. Riaz's homey acrylic paintings, finished digitally, mostly eschew the horrors of war, save for a spread of Bana and her family looking distressed and another showing planes flying over a desolate landscape. Richly hued illustrations emphasize simple expressions and dynamism in this hope-filled personal consideration of strength and cultural roots by Alabed, the Syrian youth activist who gained attention on Twitter after posting coverage of the war in Aleppo in 2016. Back matter features a contextualizing author's note. Ages 4--8. (Sept.)

Gr 1--3--A winning portrayal from a child's point of view of living through crisis. In this picture book autobiography, the young author features herself and her family in this tender and poignant recounting set in Syria during the war. With a scattering of Arabic words sprinkled throughout, Bana shares the story of her name and gives us a glimpse into life in a war-torn country. Bana is named after the bana tree her mother tells her: "I wanted you to be qawiun (strong) just like this tree." Although Bana's life is much like children's all around the world, there is the ever present threat of danger. At times, Riaz's illustrations portray the presence of danger with a combination of gritty artwork and soft edges yet they are always sensitive to the intended young audience. For the most part, we see a family reading, playing soccer, and spending time outdoors. Bana and her mother are deeply connected, and their love is apparent on every page. Strength of mind and character is an overarching theme in this story of a child living through war. VERDICT Twelve-year-old Alabed has given the world a gift in a story that is realistic without being frightening and hopeful without being sappy. An important choice for all collections.--Linda Annable, Newport P.L., OR

In this picture book drawn from her own experience, young activist and author Alabed shares a story about resilience, courage, seeking refuge, and a family's strength against persecution in Syria. When Bana asks her mother about the story of her name, her mom says that she's named after a tall bushy tree that grows in her native Syria. Her parents gave her the name in the hope that she will be strong as the tree. Her mom, who wears a headscarf as she and her daughter cuddle in an armchair, explains what strength means: being brave even when scared, helping others, speaking out for justice, nurturing one's mind and body, and, most importantly, having hope. Beautiful, child-friendly art illustrates the concepts graphically, with a nuanced focus on protagonists' faces and emotions. Bana recalls times when she was strong, like when she persevered despite being scared by bombs falling from the sky, when she comforted her scared little brothers and improvised a playground in the living room to distract them, and when she learned new things and made new friends in a new country. In the intimate interaction between the daughter and mother, hope and reassurance are exchanged, and Bana's roots grow deeper. In an author's note at the end of the book, Alabed contextualizes and historicizes the story and shares what became of her after leaving Syria. Importantly, the narrative depicts pride in speaking a heritage language, here Arabic, in a new foreign country. (This book was reviewed digitally.) An important addition to children's literature about refugees, featuring a young activist's own story. (Picture book. 7-12) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.