The Librarian of Basra: A True Story from Iraq
Common Core
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.K.1
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.1.1
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.K.3
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.1.2
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.1.3
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.2.1
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.2.2
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.2.3
Virginia Standards of Learning
K.10
1.10
2.9
Grade Level
Time Frame
30-45 minutes
Overarching Themes
Lesson Goals
- Identify feelings and motivations of characters
- Identify feelings and motivations of secondary/bystander
- Determine possible actions bystanders can take
Summary
This non-fiction account retells the story of Alia Muhammad Baker, a librarian in
Basra, Iraq. When war began in her country, she was concerned with saving the library, a
meeting place for the community. When the governor refused to store the books in another
location for safekeeping, Alia, with the help of others, secretly moved the library’s collection
over time during the war crisis. The librarian bravely ensured the books were preserved for
future generations of book lovers.
Public Documents
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