A biography in rhyme relates the story of Olympic swimmer and Syrian refugee Yusra Mardini.
My Review:
I received a copy of this picture book from author Julie Abery in exchange for an honest review.
National Women’s Month is here and I love reading inspirational stories about strong women with my students. Julie Abery wrote a fantastic nonfiction biography about the courage and determination of Yusra Mardini. The story follows Yusra as she trains to be a strong swimmer with the dream of one day going to the Olympics. When her country becomes dangerous, Yusra escapes Syria with her sister. The journey is dangerous and Yusra and her sister had to fight to stay alive. They entered Europe as refugees and became strangers in a strange land. Although Yusra faced adversity, she never gave up and went on to become a famous Olympic swimmer. The text is sparse but powerful. The rhyming scheme allows readers to easily follow along with the story. The illustrations by Sally Deng are done in almost a dream-like way and capture the trials and hopes of refuges. The back of the book shares more about the incredible life of Yusra. This is a truly powerful picture book that shows readers of all ages that with enough hard work dreams can be accomplished.
Ages 5 and up
32 Pages
picturebooks4learning 
I love the sound of this book and will have to get a copy now that I’ve just read her memoir ‘Butterfly’. How great that a children’s rhyming version now exists, to educate and inspire. Wonderful!
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