A Game for Swallows: To Die, To Leave, To Return

Expanded Edition

  • Interest Level: Grade 7 - Grade 12
  • Reading Level: Grade 7

This expanded edition of A Game for Swallows features a new, illustrated afterword, as Abirached reflects on the meaning of her memoir’s title, the graffiti that inspired it, and the future of Beirut.

A USBBY Outstanding International Book

“This superb memoir is destined to become a classic.” —starred, School Library Journal

“A moving tale about the hardships of an ordinary family living in an extraordinary part of the world.” —Gene Yang, author of American Born Chinese and Dragon Hoops

When Zeina was born, the civil war in Lebanon had been going on for six years, so it’s just a normal part of life for her and her parents and little brother. The city of Beirut is cut in two by bricks and sandbags, threatened by snipers and shelling. East Beirut is for Christians, and West Beirut is for Muslims. When Zeina’s parents don’t return from a visit to the other half of the city, and the bombing grows closer, the neighbors in her apartment house create a world indoors for Zeina and her brother, where they can share cooking lessons and games and gossip. Together they try to make it through a dramatic evening in the one place they hoped they would always be safe—home.

Format Your Price Add
978-1-7284-4613-4
$14.99
978-1-7284-6899-0
$34.99
Available at all major wholesalers and distributors. Save 25% off list price on library bound hardcovers and all eBook and eBook with Audio editions when you buy direct! Digital purchases will be accessed on Lerner Digital Bookshelf. An account will be created for you after purchase.
Interest Level Grade 7 - Grade 12
Reading Level Grade 7
Genre Graphic Novels, Young Adult
Category 5 Kinds of Nonfiction, 5KN: Narrative Nonfiction, Diverse Books: #OwnVoices, Diverse Books: Race & Ethnicity, Diversity, SEL: B Self-Management, SEL: D Relationship Skills, SEL: E Responsible Decision-Making, Social Emotional Learning
Copyright 2022
Publisher Lerner Publishing Group
Imprint Graphic Universe ™
Language English
Number of Pages 224
Publication Date 2022-08-02
Text Type Narrative Nonfiction
BISACS YAN012010, YAN025130, YAN038090
Dewey 741.5/95692
Dimensions 6.625 x 9.25
Lexile 610
Features Afterword, Author/Illustrator biography, Awards, Introductory note, Maps, and Reviewed

Author, Illustrator: Zeina Abirached

Zeina Abirached was born in Beirut in the middle of the civil war. She studied graphic arts in Lebanon but moved to Paris in 2004, where she attended the National School of Decorative Arts. In 2006, she published her first two graphic novels with publisher Cambourakis, Beyrouth-Catharsis and 38, Rue Youssef Semaani. Her short animated film Mouton was nominated during the fifth international film festival in Tehran. A Game For Swallows (Graphic Universe, 2012) has won numerous awards, including being named an ALA Notable Children’s Book and a YALSA Great Graphic Novel for Teens. Je Me Souviens Beyrouth (I Remember Beirut), the follow-up to A Game For Swallows, was published in French by Cambourakis in 2008.

Happy Book Birthday: New Picture Books, Paperbacks, Nonfiction, and Series

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Awards

  • Mike Wieringo Comic Book Industry Award Nominee, Nominated, 2023

Reviews

Children's Literature Comprehensive Database (CLCD)

“Teachers will have a field day using the book to discuss the evils of war. Reviewer Rating: 5” –Children’s Literature