115. The Teacher of Nomad Land. Daniel Nayeri. 2025. 192 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, historical fiction, world war II, family]
First sentence: Baba was a teacher. Dead now. Babak sits in the courtyard of their house cradling the slab of stone that will mark his grave beside Mama, already dead. He is thirteen. Sana is eight, standing behind him. She says, "That was our last parent."
Premise/plot: The Teacher of Nomad Land is historical fiction set in Iran--1941 to be precise--in Iran. Long story short, Babak is determined that he and his sister, Sana, will survive--someway, somehow--and that they'll stick together no matter what. But how are two kids on their own to survive? Babak thinks he might like to be a teacher like his dad--but will teaching others to read and write--or to speak another language be valued enough that others will give them food and protection? Maybe. Maybe not. Their lives are complicated a bit when they join with a Jewish orphan (Ben) who is being chased by a lone Nazi, Vulf. Soon all three are being pursued...
My thoughts: The Teacher of Nomad Land isn't so much a book you enjoy-enjoy as it is a book you experience. My experience was complicated by the fact that I had to check it out several times and wait on holds to start it up again. I think this book is best experience over two to three sittings. But I would definitely recommend this one!
Quotes:
Stories emerge everywhere like flowers from a grave
Everywhere, Babak can see the need for a teacher, and in himself the desire to be one. But he doesn't know what to say. What should he say to a kid committed to being this unpleasant? What is there to say that is true all the time?
Life if full of such lessons, and with so few fathers to teach them.
© 2025 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews
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