Setting: There were many settings in this book which include Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Turkey, Greece and Italy.
Characters: The main character of this book was Enaiatollah Akbari. At the start of the book he was 10 years old. Another character was his mother who sent him off on his journey because the Taliban attacked their home.
Problem: The problem of In The Sea There Are Crocodiles was that the Taliban attacked Akbari’s village making his mom send him away from Afghanistan to protect him from the attackers.
Goal: Akbari’s goal was to get to a place that was safer than Afghanistan. However, many of the countries did not welcome him as he was labeled an illegal immigrant.
- Event 1: Akbari’s teacher was shot and killed in front of him and his classmates by the Taliban. They told the teacher to stop educating the kids but he didn’t listen and kept on teaching the students.
- Event 2: Akbari faced many challenges on his journey. For example, he had to crowd in a van with 50 other immigrants and he got so dehydrated that he peed blood for months.
- Event 3: After 5 years of traveling he made it to Italy where he seeked political asylum hoping that Italy would protect him.
Resolution: He was granted political asylum and was fostered by a family in Italy. He is now trying to find a way to visit his mother in Afghanistan.
My Opinion/Review: In The Sea There Are Crocodiles is a very inspiring book because of how young Akbari was when he started his journey and because of how dedicated he was to find a better home, despite being forced to run from everything he knows, including his mother, he faces each challenge with determination to find a new home. I can’t imagine what it must be like to lose everything I love and have to start all over in a place where I know no one. Part of this story reminded me of my friend Layla who joined my class in 4th grade from Syria. I realise now that I don’t really know her story and what she had to go through to get to America. I also feel that this book shows how we should appreciate what we have more because some people have nothing to help them and have to do everything on their own. Although I liked the message of this book, if Akbari does ever make it home to his mom, i would like to know what happens when he meets his mom.