Tagging Freedom

A well-characterized novel offering insight into Syrian perspectives.

This is a must-read for those looking for more Arab and Muslim representation in middle-grade titles.

Kareem--a Syrian Muslim 13-year-old--and his friends tag buildings to protest government oppression in Damascus, Syria. Kareem's seventh grade cousin Samira, meanwhile, paints the banners that accompany her Allansdale, Mass., school's Spirit Squad performances. Though Sam's friends Layla, with whom she takes Arabic lessons at the Islamic Center, and schoolmate Ellie remind Sam that Spirit Squad leader and mean girl Cat "ruined your life in fourth grade," Sam often abandons them both to hang out with the cool kids. When peaceful protests turn violent in Syria, Kareem's parents send him to live with Sam's family in the U.S. Sam and Kareem have always bonded over their love of graffiti, but at school, Kareem clashes with Cat's brother Dylan, whom Sam has a crush on; xenophobic comments from Dylan about Syria, and Sam's complicit silence, enrage Kareem. Soon, however, the cousins must come together to counter racism in Allansdale. High-stakes conflicts in the form of Kareem's fears for those he left behind play powerfully against adolescent challenges, such as Sam's emotionally vulnerable angst about fitting in, delivering a strongly paced tale. An author's note concludes. Secondary characters read as white. Ages 8-12. (Nov.)

Copyright 2023 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Gr 4-7--In a book written in alternating voices, the two characters--Kareem, who lives in Damascus, Syria, and Samira (Sam), who lives in Allansdale, MA--are cousins with more in common than they realize. Kareem and his closest friends have been spray-painting graffiti speaking out against how the corrupt Syrian government is treating its people. They know they must graffiti quickly and quietly to avoid being caught and becoming one of the "disappeared" or worse, killed. In an effort to protect their son, Kareem's parents send him to live with his aunt and uncle in the United States. Sam is anxious to join Spirit Squad, but struggles because the leader is a bully and her best friend Ellie refuses to join her. Despite this, Sam is determined to incite school spirit through her artistic talents in writing and drawing. Disappointed that her best friend Sam has joined the Spirit Squad, Ellie becomes close to Kareem when the two embark on their own form of raising awareness through tagging with graffiti. Graffiti in Allansdale brings out two opposing sides throughout social media. Thought-provoking and heartfelt, this novel parallels the struggles teens feel with loss and bullying situations to the oppression that citizens often feel when the government is deceitful. Preteens and teens will find this book relatable and real. VERDICT An outstanding novel that hits its mark, demonstrating that young teens grapple with a gamut of emotions and situations yet are resilient enough to work through them and achieve success. Highly recommended.--Tracy Cronce

Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

"High-stakes conflicts in the form of Kareem's fears for those he left behind play powerfully against adolescent challenges, such as Sam's emotionally vulnerable angst about fitting in, delivering a strongly paced tale."—Publishers Weekly

"Thought-provoking and heartfelt, this novel parallels the struggles teens feel with loss and bullying situations to the oppression that citizens often feel when the government is deceitful. Preteens and teens will find this book relatable and real. An outstanding novel that hits its mark, demonstrating that young teens grapple with a gamut of emotions and situations yet are resilient enough to work through them and achieve success. Highly recommended." —School Library Journal STARRED Review

"Roumani skillfully weaves together two different points of view to create a powerful story of activism that captures the importance of standing up for yourself and advocating for others." —Booklist