The Cat I Never Named by Amra Sabic-El-Rayess

The Cat I Never Named

A True Story of Love, War, and Survival

Amra Sabic-El-Rayess, Laura L. Sullivan

Bloomsbury USA · Print & ebook · September 8, 2020

The stunning memoir of a Muslim teen struggling to survive in the midst of the Bosnian genocide-and the stray cat who protected her family through it all. *Six Starred Reviews* "Extraordinary." - Booklist | "A must-read." - School Library Journal | "Unforgettable." - Kirkus | "Gripping." - Foreword | "Excellent." - School Library Connection | "As timely as it is effective." - Publishers Weekly A YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Finalist A Capitol Choices Remarkable Book A Mighty Girl Best Book A Malala Fund Favorite Book Selection In 1992, Amra was a teen in Bihac, Bosnia, when her best friend said they couldn't speak anymore.

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Who it’s for
A teen’s wartime memoir finds tenderness in a stray cat’s quiet place within her family.
Themes
War and survival, Religious persecution, Human-animal companionship
Genres
Lives in History, Wars & Military History for Teens, Islam for Teens

About this book

The stunning memoir of a Muslim teen struggling to survive in the midst of the Bosnian genocide-and the stray cat who protected her family through it all.

Continue reading

*Six Starred Reviews* "Extraordinary." - Booklist | "A must-read." - School Library Journal | "Unforgettable." - Kirkus | "Gripping." - Foreword | "Excellent." - School Library Connection | "As timely as it is effective." - Publishers Weekly A YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Finalist A Capitol Choices Remarkable Book A Mighty Girl Best Book A Malala Fund Favorite Book Selection In 1992, Amra was a teen in Bihac, Bosnia, when her best friend said they couldn't speak anymore. Her friend didn't say why, but Amra knew the reason: Amra was Muslim. It was the first sign her world was changing. Then Muslim refugees from other Bosnian cities started arriving, fleeing Serbian persecution. When the tanks rolled into Bihac, bringing her own city under seige, Amra's happy life in her peaceful city vanished. But there is light even in the darkest of times, and she discovered that light in the warm, bonfire eyes of a stray cat. The little calico had followed the refugees into the city and lost her own family. At first, Amra doesn't want to bother with a stray; her family doesn't have the money to keep a pet. But with gentle charm this kitty finds her way into everyone's heart, and after a few near miracles when she seems to save the family, how could they turn her away? Here is the stunning true story of a teen who, even in the brutality of war, never wavered in her determination to obtain an education, maintain friendships, and even find a first love-and the cat who gave comfort, hope, and maybe even served as the family's guardian spirit.

Hope Amid Rupture

A teen’s wartime memoir finds tenderness in a stray cat’s quiet place within her family.

Come here for

  • A personal account of survival, education, friendship, and first love
  • The unexpected comfort of a cat amid the Bosnian genocide

Expect

  • A serious account of war, held alongside moments of warmth
  • A true story centered on a teen’s determination and family ties

Where it sits

Wars & Military History for Teens73%
Islam for Teens59%
Lives in History32%

Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.

Publisher categories

  • Cultural Heritage Lives
  • Wars & Military History for Teens
  • Islam for Teens
Authors
Amra Sabic-El-Rayess, Laura L. Sullivan
Publisher
Bloomsbury USA
Published
September 8, 2020
Format
Print & ebook
Theme
War and survival · Religious persecution · Human-animal companionship
Reading lane
Cultural Heritage Lives