Poppies of Iraq

A parent might reach for this book when their child begins asking complex questions about global conflict, the meaning of 'home,' or how a family's identity can persist even after leaving their country. This graphic memoir follows Brigitte's upbringing in Mosul as part of a minority Orthodox Christian community, navigating a landscape of shifting political regimes, military coups, and everyday childhood joys. It delicately balances the weight of historical upheaval with the warmth of family traditions and the bittersweet reality of immigration. While it addresses the sadness of displacement and the loss of a homeland, its accessible comic format makes these heavy themes digestible for teens. It is an essential choice for fostering empathy and understanding the human stories behind the headlines of Middle Eastern history.