I Escaped a Chinese Internment Camp

In this graphic novella, Zumrat Dawut, a Muslim mother of three in China's Xinjiang autonomous region, is arrested and sent to a detention facility, where she experiences brutal living conditions, torture, interrogations, anti-Muslim propaganda, and sterilization. With her husband, she hatches a plan to escape to America, and the story is adapted by best-selling writer Anthony Del Col and features art by Golden Kit Award-Winner Fahmida Azim.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 120 pages
Publication date: 13 February 2024
Publisher: Lev Gleason Publications

Winner of the 2022 Pulitzer Prize for Illustrated Reporting!


A 2024 Junior Library Guild Selection!




This graphic novella, from New Friday, an imprint of Lev Gleason®, recounts the true story of Zumrat Dawut, as originally published in the independent online news organization, Business Insider, through interviews conducted by Anthony Del Col and testimony given to the United Nations Human Rights Council.


Zumrat Dawut is a mother of three in the Xinjiang autonomous region in China, who was arrested and sent to a detention facility for simply being a Muslim. There, she endured brutal living conditions, torture, interrogations, anti-Muslim propaganda, and sterilization. But that was just the beginning of Zumrat's troubles, who, with her husband, would soon hatch a plan to escape to America.


This story, featuring art by Golden Kit Award-Winner Fahmida Azim (Samira Surfs), and adapted by best-selling writer Anthony Del Col (Kill Shakespeare), was originally published online by Business Insider. This print edition, published by New Friday, an imprint of Lev Gleason®, includes a foreword by Nicholas Carlson, Global Editor-in-Chief of Business Insider, an interview with the creative team, a follow-up interview with Zumrat Duwat, a teaching/discussion guide, and process art.


I Escaped a Chinese Internment Camp is a harrowing, evocative, and important story that will enthrall and enlighten readers worldwide.

Weight: 342g
Dimension: 286 x 159 x 12 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781988247960