Tagging Freedom

Tagging Freedom is a story about a Syrian boy and his American cousin who are inspired to start secretly tagging messages of freedom around their city, inspired by the death of a boy in custody. It explores the intersection between art and activism and how war affects and inspires children.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 22 February 2024
Publisher: Union Square & Co.

Out of the revolutionary movements across the Arab world, emerges this inspiring tale of hope, freedom, and belonging, perfect for fans of Other Words for Home and A Good Kind of Trouble. Kareem Haddad of Damascus, Syria, never imagined himself becoming a graffiti artist. However, when a group of boys from another town spray subversive slogans outside their school, and another boy is killed while in custody, Kareem and his friends are inspired to start secretly tagging messages of freedom around their city. Meanwhile, in the United States, his cousin, Samira, has been striving to make her own mark. Anxious to fit in at school, she joins the Spirit Squad, where her natural artistic ability catches the attention of the popular leader. Then, Kareem is sent to live with Sam's family, and their worlds collide. As graffitied messages appear around town, and all eyes turn to Kareem, Sam must make a choice: does she shy away to protect her newfound social status, or does she stand with her cousin?

Informed by her experience as a journalist, author Rhonda Roumani's Tagging Freedom is a thoughtful exploration of the intersection between art and activism, infused with rich details and a realistic portrayal of how war affects and inspires children, akin to middle grade books for middle schoolers by Aisha Saeed, The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandi, or Refugee by Alan Gratz.

Weight: 482g
Dimension: 217 x 149 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781454950714