---
product_id: 8198631
title: "Alia's Mission: Saving the Books of Iraq (Dragonfly Books)"
brand: "mark alan stamaty"
price: "2328 kr"
currency: ISK
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 9
url: https://www.desertcart.is/products/8198631-alias-mission-saving-the-books-of-iraq-dragonfly-books
store_origin: IS
region: Iceland
---

# Alia's Mission: Saving the Books of Iraq (Dragonfly Books)

**Brand:** mark alan stamaty
**Price:** 2328 kr
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** Alia's Mission: Saving the Books of Iraq (Dragonfly Books) by mark alan stamaty
- **How much does it cost?** 2328 kr with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.is](https://www.desertcart.is/products/8198631-alias-mission-saving-the-books-of-iraq-dragonfly-books)

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- mark alan stamaty enthusiasts

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## Description

Alia's Mission: Saving the Books of Iraq (Dragonfly Books)

## Images

![Alia's Mission: Saving the Books of Iraq (Dragonfly Books) - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61CnNtEFC8L.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    Saving the books of Iraq
  

*by J***S on Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on May 18, 2008*

This is a true story about saving books. It takes place in Basra, Iraq, in 2003. Yes, that Basra. It's in the news all the time. At the beginning of the book, "Alia's Mission: Saving the Books of Iraq," there is no war in Basra. But Alia Muhammad Baker, chief librarian of Basra Central Library, knows it is only a matter of time.As a girl, Alia had read about the Mongol invasion of Iraq and the burning of the Baghdad Library. She equates the burning of a library and its books with the destruction of the culture of her country. Burn a library and you burn a collective recorded memory. Alia singlehandedly assumes the responsibility for saving the 40,000 volumes in her library. How? She stuffs her purse and loads her arms under her shawl and walks out, loads her car, returns for another load. City and military officials who now occupy the library, daring the enemy to bomb their library, pay her no heed. She fills her car.Night after night she comes home with a car full of books. Her husband, bless him, unloads them into a closet, then guest room, then into other rooms. (I'm a librarian and understand her distress and need to save the books!). Then neighbors and friends, and those who hear about the effort, and then many other people help rescue the books. The only books intentionally ignored are those about Saddam Hussein.After England invades, a fire finally destroys the library and 10,000 volumes. Currently, plans are underway to rebuild as soon as the war is over."Alia's Mission" is told in graphic panel form and will appeal to all ages. It is a great teaching tool for parents and teachers to explain the Iraqi Conflict, Saddam Hussein, libraries and why it is important to preserve them and their books, and most definitely the fact that one person can make a difference performing a simple heroic act and becoming the impetus to drive others. What a magnificent lesson from an Iraqi librarian wearing the Islamic head covering. Certainly, the love of books is a universal language that crosses all barriers and opens doors to future reconciliations.When the war is over, let us find a way to help Alia Muhammad Baker to rebuild the Basra Central Library.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    Alias love for books is infectious
  

*by S***D on Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on May 4, 2013*

This was bought for my children and I and they said "It's a good book but it's serious.  It's serious because the library has problems but I like that Alia the librarian loves books and wants to take care of them."  This was not what we expected after reading "Who needs donuts?" but it was real, informative, unique and thoughtful.  I highly recommend this book and this author/illustrator.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    Beautiful book
  

*by M***S on Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on October 23, 2005*

This book is topical and beautfully illustrated. It is an excellent book to introduce children to the war in Iraq in a nonpolitical way and to break some stereotypes: I appreciated the strong but caring Muslim woman and the men who helped her. Adults will enjoy reading this book with their children, too, because of the good story and the wonderful drawings. (I am a child psychology professor).

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*Product available on Desertcart Iceland*
*Store origin: IS*
*Last updated: 2026-03-03*