Muhammad Najem, War Reporter: How One Boy Put the Spotlight on Syria by Muhammad Najem and Nora Neus

 

Yesterday, I finished reading Muhammad Najem, War Reporter: How One Boy Put the Spotlight on Syria by Muhammad Najem and Nora Neus. In this graphic memoir, Muhammad Najem shares the story of his family's struggle to survive the Syrian civil war. When Muhammad was only eight years old, the war began. Then, his father was killed in a bombing while praying when Muhammad was thirteen. Two years later, at the age of fifteen, Muhammad began reporting on the war in his home of Eastern Ghouta using social media, despite the significant risks. Wanting to share the stories of Syrian kids, he interviewed them to show their hopes and dreams. Although he was frustrated when things didn't change right away, eventually people around the world noticed his videos and tweets.

This graphic memoir was fantastic and absolutely riveting. Although I've been aware of the Syrian civil war from the news, I actually knew very little about the specifics of it. I enjoyed reading this graphic novel and learned a great deal because it showed the war from the perspective of a Syrian teenager. I thought Muhammad was incredibly brave to use social media to report on the war because it could have gotten himself or his family killed. I especially liked seeing his relationship with his siblings and friends because it demonstrated how he was just like any other kid. I also admired how he never lost hope for the future even though he experienced devastating loss over the years. I recommend Muhammad Najem, War Reporter to anyone who wants to learn more about the costs of war, especially from a perspective that is less often covered by traditional media.