Squire

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Squire

Title:

Squire

Author:

Alfageeh, Sara, author, artist.

Shammas, Nadia, author.

Summary:

Aiza has always dreamt of becoming a Knight. It’s the highest military honor in the once-great Bayt-Sajji Empire, and as a member of the subjugated Ornu people, Knighthood is her only path to full citizenship. Ravaged by famine and mounting tensions, Bayt-Sajji finds itself on the brink of war once again, so Aiza can finally enlist in the competitive Squire training program. It’s not how she imagined it, though. Aiza must navigate new friendships, rivalries, and rigorous training under the unyielding General Hende, all while hiding her Ornu background. As the pressure mounts, Aiza realizes that the “greater good” that Bayt-Sajji’s military promises might not include her, and that the recruits might be in greater danger than she ever imagined. In this breathtaking and timely story, Aiza will have to choose, once and for all: loyalty to her heart and heritage, or loyalty to the Empire. -- Amazon.

General Note:

Chiefly illustrations.

Edition:

First edition.

Physical Description:

302 pages : illustrations (chiefly color) ; 24 cm

Genre:

Graphic novels.

Comics (Graphic works)

Fantasy comics.

Subject Term:

Soldiers -- Comic books, strips, etc.

Knights and knighthood -- Comic books, strips, etc.

Citizenship -- Comic books, strips, etc.

Loyalty -- Comic books, strips, etc.

Friendship -- Comic books, strips, etc.

Author(s):

Shammas, Nadia,

Publisher:

Quill Tree Books, Harper Alley, imprints of HarperCollinsPublishers,

Publication Date:

2022

ISBN:

9780062945853

9780062945846

Publication Information:

New York, NY : Quill Tree Books, Harper Alley, imprints of HarperCollinsPublishers, [2022]

Call Number:

YA ALFAGEEH

Holds: Copies:

Available:*

Item Barcode	Collection	Call Number	Status	Item Holds
33607003639278	New Young Adult Graphic Novels	ALFAGEEH	Searching... Unknown	Searching... Unavailable

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Summary

From two incredible rising talents comes the fantasy graphic novel Molly Knox Ostertag calls "instantly compelling." A New England Book Award and Harvey Award winner!

Aiza has always dreamt of becoming a Knight. It's the highest military honor in the once-great Bayt-Sajji Empire, and as a member of the subjugated Ornu people, Knighthood is her only path to full citizenship. Ravaged by famine and mounting tensions, Bayt-Sajji finds itself on the brink of war once again, so Aiza can finally enlist in the competitive Squire training program.

It's not how she imagined it, though. Aiza must navigate new friendships, rivalries, and rigorous training under the unyielding General Hende, all while hiding her Ornu background. As the pressure mounts, Aiza realizes that the "greater good" that Bayt-Sajji's military promises might not include her, and that the recruits might be in greater danger than she ever imagined.

In this breathtaking and timely story, Aiza will have to choose, once and for all: loyalty to her heart and heritage, or loyalty to the Empire.

Reviews (2)

School Library Journal Review

Gr 7 Up--In a Middle Eastern fantasy setting, this is the story of a young Ornu girl growing up in the Bayt-Sajii Empire. Aiza and her family are forced to live in a community for the marginalized Ornu people, which provides them safety within the Empire but not much more. She dreams of leaving her small farming community to become a hero, and when an opportunity arises to join the army in hopes of becoming a squire (and eventually a knight, which would grant her citizenship), she is eager to serve the Empire. Yet almost immediately, she begins to question the history being taught to the new recruits: that the Empire is at war only because other nations refuse to return to the golden age, when all nations flourished as one. Over time, Aiza learns what it truly means to be a hero and the ways in which historical narratives are used to manipulate people. Alfageeh's artwork is stunning, with inspiration taken from Middle Eastern countries, specifically Turkey and Jordan. The recruits train in a place reminiscent of Petra, with buildings carved into red-toned cliffs, and Aiza and the majority of characters are depicted in various tones of brown skin and hair. Extensive author and artist notes on the process of creating the book are included. VERDICT An action-packed graphic novel in a beautifully depicted world, sure to inspire and engage young audiences.--Amanda Melilli

Publisher's Weekly Review

Shammas and Alfageeh draw inspiration from their respective Palestinian and Jordanian backgrounds in this epic fantasy graphic novel. The Bayt-Saiji Empire is recruiting soldiers from among the peoples of conquered territories to fight ongoing wars at the empire's expanding borders. Lured by the promise of escape from her dull life--and of citizenship and glory should she rise through the ranks--Aiza enlists, concealing her Ornu heritage to avoid discrimination. Enduring grueling squire training under charismatic General Hende, the teen grows stronger while making friends from across the empire. But when a training mission goes wrong, she must reconcile her dreams of acceptance within the empire and the reality of its treatment of its citizens. Alfageeh's arresting visuals conjure a richly detailed, sun-drenched world in which impressive architecture fills open landscapes populated by visually diverse and complex characters. Shammas uses Aiza's determined voice to examine themes of assimilation and passing privilege through the ways in which the Bayt-Saiji Empire simultaneously divides and homogenizes its peoples. Aiza's pursuit of her goal, along with her genuine struggle to overcome the cycle of violence into which she has unknowingly entered, carries the reader to the story's cathartic resolution. Ages 14--up. Agent: Charlie Olsen, InkWell Management. (Mar.)