This month, we're highlighting books that humanize the experiences of people who have lived or are living through war and conflict. 

 

half a yellow sun coverHalf a Yellow Sun
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

In Half a Yellow Sun, Adiche illustrates the effects of the war through the lives of five characters: Ugwu, a houseboy; Odenigbo, a university professor; twin sisters Kainene and Olanna; and an Englishman named Richard. The novel is set during the Nigerian Civil War and Biafra's struggle towards independence. 

 

No-No Boy two no-no boy covers
John Okada

This piece of historical fiction tells the story of one of the “no-no boys”, Ichiro Yamada. Yamada, a Japanese American forced to live in a concentration camp, refuses to pledge loyalty and serve in the military for the United States. Yamada earns two years of prison time. Upon his return home, he faces his fractured family and community in a post-war society.  

 

the latehomecomer coverThe Latehomecomer 
Kao Kalia Yang

Yang shares her first-hand experiences as a Hmong American refugee. This memoir details the story of Yang’s family and their escape from war-torn Laos, to a refugee camp in Thailand, and finally to the United States.   

 

Persepolis persepolis cover
Marjane Satrapi

This graphic novel is an autobiographical story of Satrapi’s experiences between the ages of six and fourteen in Tehran. In this artistic portrayal of Iranian history, Satrapi illustrates her life during overthrow of the Shah, the Islamic Revolution, and the Iran-Iraq war.  

 

 

unaccompanied coverUnaccompanied 
Javier Zamora

Through his poetry, Javier Zamora humanizes the politics, ethics, and human experience surrounding border-crossing and the borderland. Zamora, unaccompanied, made the dangerous journey from El Salvador to the United States when he was just nine years old.  

 


 

Rolling Blackoutsrolling blackouts cover
Sarah Glidden

Cartoonist Sarah Glidden shares her experiences doing research in Iraq, Syria, and Turkey. Her two-month journey is accompanied by her two friends, both journalists. The crew researches how the Iraq War has affected refugees. During their journey they ask refugees, civilians, and officials, “Who are you?” This book not only documents Glidden’s experiences, but the stories about people’s lives during war and conflict.