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Hands Around the Library: Protecting Egypt's Treasured Books
The inspiring true story of demonstrators standing up for the love of a library, from a New York Times bestselling illustrator
In January 2011, in a moment that captured the hearts of people all over the world, thousands of Egypt's students, library workers, and demonstrators surrounded the great Library of Alexandria and joined hands, forming a human chain to protect the b...more
In January 2011, in a moment that captured the hearts of people all over the world, thousands of Egypt's students, library workers, and demonstrators surrounded the great Library of Alexandria and joined hands, forming a human chain to protect the b...more
Hardcover, 32 pages
Published
August 30th 2012
by Dial
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Audience: This book is perfect for primary readers k-3rd grade.
Appeal: With it's unique pictures and "folktale" like writing, young readers will enjoy learning about a very intense and current topic. The story starts out "Once upon a time" that will grab many children's attention, the illustrations all made out of felt is appealing as well. I think this is a great story that shows strength and passion, and in the end to be able to let the students know that this is a true story is, I think, very...more
Appeal: With it's unique pictures and "folktale" like writing, young readers will enjoy learning about a very intense and current topic. The story starts out "Once upon a time" that will grab many children's attention, the illustrations all made out of felt is appealing as well. I think this is a great story that shows strength and passion, and in the end to be able to let the students know that this is a true story is, I think, very...more
In Egypt there is a library called the Alexandria library. The building is, according to the book, the most beautiful building in Egypt. It houses over 1 million books that include many children's books and many books that tell the history of Egypt. It's on the site of an ancient library that was intended to hold all the knowledge in the world. The ancient library burned down in ancient times.
In January of 2011 the Egyptian people rose up against the regime of Hosni Mubarak. They protested in th...more
In January of 2011 the Egyptian people rose up against the regime of Hosni Mubarak. They protested in th...more
Hands Around the Library: Protecting Egypt’s Treasured Books depicts the story of saving the Alexandria Library during the Egyptian protests of 2012. The highway across the street from the library was packed with protesters, some peaceful and some violent. The director of the library put himself in front of the library in order to protect the vulnerable glass library. At first only a few trickled in to help, but then many joined him in his crusade to save the books. The library soon had a human...more
Fun, funky, inviting, and unassuming collage art. Great introduction to the story of Arab Spring in Egypt and a love letter to libraries; the narrative is simple enough for younger children, and the notes at the end add a little more meat for older children. Also included at the end are photographs of the library during and around the time of the protests and translations of the Egyptian words written on the protest signs in the book's illustrations. There are resources listed to learn more abou...more
Sep 05, 2012
Barbara
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Shelves:
art,
civil-rights,
community,
cultural-identity,
friendship,
ncbla2013,
picture-book,
word-lovers
I had never heard of the incident described in this picture book in which some of the Egyptian protesters during the January 2011 uprising against the country's regime protected the library of Alexandria. The library itself is a treasure, not just for the books it contains, but for its architecture, its cultural significance, and the sanctity it provides to citizens. It even contains stones containing letters or signs from 500 different alphabets. As I read the book, I was moved by the actions o...more
The inspiring true story of demonstrators standing up for the love of a library, from a New York Times bestselling illustrator In January 2011, in a moment that captured the hearts of people all over the world, thousands of Egypt's students, library workers, and demonstrators surrounded the great Library of Alexandria and joined hands, forming a human chain to protect the building. They chanted "We love you, Egypt!" as they stood together for the freedom the library represented. Illustrated with...more
During the uprising in Egypt in 2011, protesters were getting violent and getting closer to the Alexandria Library. This library is one of the most beautiful buildings in Egypt and holds one million books. During the protests, the library director came out and announced that they could not protect the library. Protesters joined the director on the steps of the library and formed a human chain around it. They saved the library and its many materials from the destruction of the riots.
This is a wo...more
This is a wo...more
We were free inside the library even when we were not free outside.
Try to imagine what it is like to know about freedom ONLY from what you read in books. You would probably do just about anything to protect those books, wouldn't you?
This colorful book for children describes an incident I previously knew nothing about.
In January 2011, protesters took to the streets in Egypt to express their opposition to leader Hosni Mubarak . Fearing that their treasured library might be harmed if the demonstra...more
Try to imagine what it is like to know about freedom ONLY from what you read in books. You would probably do just about anything to protect those books, wouldn't you?
This colorful book for children describes an incident I previously knew nothing about.
In January 2011, protesters took to the streets in Egypt to express their opposition to leader Hosni Mubarak . Fearing that their treasured library might be harmed if the demonstra...more
8 likes · like · see review
Dial Books for Young Readers, 2012
Narrative Nonfiction
32 pages
Recommended for grades 2+
Hands Around the Library takes readers back to the protests in Egypt in 2011 surrounding the citizens' desire for Hosni Mubarak to resign as president of Egypt. Not all the protesting was peaceful. Library director Ismail Serageldin could do no more than any other one person in protecting Bibliotheca Alexandrina, but lucky for him and the library, he wasn't alone. Young people came to stand beside the library...more
Narrative Nonfiction
32 pages
Recommended for grades 2+
Hands Around the Library takes readers back to the protests in Egypt in 2011 surrounding the citizens' desire for Hosni Mubarak to resign as president of Egypt. Not all the protesting was peaceful. Library director Ismail Serageldin could do no more than any other one person in protecting Bibliotheca Alexandrina, but lucky for him and the library, he wasn't alone. Young people came to stand beside the library...more
This is a simple retelling of a peaceful protest in Egypt that happened in 2011 - within the lifetime of our students. Sometimes when we share books about nonviolent protest, like the sit-in's of the 1960s or Gandhi's protests in India, kids think that this kind of demonstration belongs to history. But here's a case where people, including children, demonstrated peacefully and made a difference. And, of course, they're coming together to save a library - love that! Makes me want to learn more ab...more
In the heat of the moment, damage and greatness can occur. A terrifying moment turns to a moment of peace when protestors band together to save their library.
Themes: freedom, revolution, standing together
Characters: children's librarian Shaimaa Saad, library director Dr. Serageldin
Artwork: Collage "international palette of papers and materials"
Author's Note: Alexandria, Then and Now -- two pages about the library; resources; words from the protest signs with English translations; A Note from Su...more
Themes: freedom, revolution, standing together
Characters: children's librarian Shaimaa Saad, library director Dr. Serageldin
Artwork: Collage "international palette of papers and materials"
Author's Note: Alexandria, Then and Now -- two pages about the library; resources; words from the protest signs with English translations; A Note from Su...more
Told from the point of view of one of the protesters in modern Egypt, this is the true story of how the Alexandria Library was saved during the protests. As the crowd moved toward the library, which was built on the same ground as the ancient Library of Alexandria, the library director came outside and spoke to them. He pointed out that the library had no gates to lock and no way to protect the large doors made of glass. It was up to the people to save the treasures inside. The crowd pressed on...more
Nov 30, 2012
Terry
added it
Little Kid Reaction: "Cool" was the single word used to describe the book. Our pre-teen was fascinated with the artwork and hung to every word of the story. She was frustrated that she could not read the protest signs (until we found the transliterations in the back).
Big Kid Reaction: Beautiful on so many levels. The collage artwork is wonderful and the story is very well told. I particularly loved all of the extras in the back - photographs of the actual events and library; the author's persona...more
Big Kid Reaction: Beautiful on so many levels. The collage artwork is wonderful and the story is very well told. I particularly loved all of the extras in the back - photographs of the actual events and library; the author's persona...more
This collage-illustrated book briefly explains how Egyptian citizens protected the Alexandria Library during violent protests against the 30-year president in 2011. Although the text of the book is brief, afterwords provide additional information about the library and the 2011 protests in Egypt. This would be a nice choice for a classroom unit on world politics or political protests.
Jan 07, 2013
Sandy
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Shelves:
civil-rights,
communities,
concepts,
fears,
history,
human-rights,
library,
multi-age,
multi-cultural,
pb-non-fiction,
realistic-current
A fantastic depiction of the spontaneous community effort to save the library and its contents during the Arab Spring uprising in Egypt. Susan Roth's fiber/collage images appear in many picture books, and this would pair especially well with LISTEN TO THE WIND and the LIBRARIAN OF BASRA. The back matter in each provides rich non-fiction details and resources.
Simple picture about an incident during the Egyptian democracy protests in 2011. It whetted my appetite for more info. I guess as protesters were approaching the beautiful glass library in Alexandria, a human chain formed to protect it. The text is simple but could be a discussion beginner for upper elementary students about mob behavior, or symbols of freedom.
This is a great book! I love the story as it is based on true events. I love it when people in their community stand up for what is important--and our library are SO IMPORTANT!!! This books reminds of my "The Librarian of Basra" By Jeanette Winters. These stories need to be told. I would say this would be a great social studies book for 3-6 th Graders.
With my daughter studying in Alexandria, across the street from this library, of course I had to read this book! It does a good job of explaining the importance of the library to the people of Egypt, and not quite as good a job of explaining the Egyptian culture and government. But the illustrations and pictures are amazing.
I had no idea that the Arab spring uprising in Egypt included an incident at which people acted to protect the Bibliotheca Alexandrina. It is easy for us to forget that freedom of information is not a value everywhere, and that we are part of a profession that serves a valued human need.
Good informational book about how people came together holding hands around a library to protect it from vandals.it was an 18 day protest on January 25, 2022. They wanted Mubarak to resign as president of Egypt after 30 years in office. More than 800 people died.
This book chronicles the events of January 2011 when Egyptians protested their lack of freedom under the current government. As with many protests, things could have escalated and property could have been damaged. The courageous director of the library stood on the steps and begged the people not to destroy the Library of Alexandria, which was a symbol of freedom of thought. One of the protesters broke from the crown and joined him on the steps of the library and soon others followed. The librar...more
Coolest fact: ...outside of the building (Bibliotheca Alxandrina) are four thousand blocks of granite from Aswan, a town on the Nile River in the south of Egypt. Each stone is carved with a letter or a sign from five hundred different alphabets." (endnotes)
good - I would read again! What a moving story! I was very familiar with the riots in Egypt (my brother was there during the riots) but I had not heard about this story. What a courageous library director. Beautiful - read this book!
Picture book story of young people joining hands around the great library to save it during protests in Egypt. I wasn't crazy about the collage art, but it definitely has a distinctive flavor. An inspiring story and pro-libraries.
This book provides a sensitive introduction to Egypt's 2011 revolution and how its people united to protect the Alexandria library.
The collages illustrations add energy and whimsy to the story.
The collages illustrations add energy and whimsy to the story.
A wonderful story about the protection of the Alexandria library during the 2005 revolution in Egypt. Additional information about the library and pictures at the end. Reviewer 12
Dec 04, 2012
June
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
librarians, teachers for National library week
It brought tears to my eyes. I vaguely remember hearing something, but how protestors spontaneously joined hands to circle and protect the library makes a wonderful book.
Egyptians revolution is the main theme but this book exposé history and power of voice and faith in literacy invite more dialogue here in responsibility and taking actioms
I think these collage type illustrations are growing on me. Interesting story. Appreciated the back matter, photos, and further information.
Thousands of Egyptians come together to protect the Bibliotheca Alexdrina from vandals during the demonstrations against Hosni Mubarak.
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Apr 20, 2013 08:14am