On Two Feet and Wings

This is the story of a young boy (aged nine) who is sent by his parents in Iran, to Istanbul to escape being conscripted to fight in the war with Iraq. When his parents are unable to go with him, he is sent alone, with little money, but all the family had from selling their positions. He must find a place to stay and a bit of food, while trying to find his way around the city, and dealing with the British to obtain a visa to England where his cousin has promised to take care of him. He is amazingly enterprising and finds a variety of jobs to help make ends meet until he is able to go to England. But, he only a boy, and very lonely, although a number of kind people do help him. My heart broke for him, while my admiration of him constantly grew.

This book had me hooked the moment I started reading it. Finished it in one plane ride. The story is so interesting and heartbreaking. I shed tears reading about the family splitting up at the airport. I was cheering on Abbas for every single thing he did by himself in Turkey. I was grateful for the nice people he met who helped him along the way. This book evoked so much emotion from me. The story was also quite unique which I enjoyed. I highly recommend this book and will probably read it again!

This is a wonderful book. I use it for literacy instruction. The kids love the engaging, relatable story. It’s a good challenge for a sixth or seventh grade reading level.

A very moving true story of survival against odds. A young boy is sent alone to foreign country by loving parents desperate for him to escape the fate of a child soldier. By the grace of God, the boy's intelligent nature, and kind fate, he is helped by strangers who come to respect and love him. His brave attitude, work ethic, and self-reliance makes him an admirable character. His experience is a worthwhile story more people would benefit from sharing!

I enjoyed this book. The writing feels translated to me - a little choppy and doesn't totally flow. HOWEVER, the story is wonderful, and I was so impressed with the presence of mind the author showed when he was younger. The story is very suspenseful even though you know that it had to work out since the author is writing his own story, but he was able to keep the story very suspenseful anyway. I wanted to know what happened after this part - he mentions trouble in boarding school - but I wanted to know about his family and when he saw them again, etc.

One of the most moving books I have read lately. The author really captures the feelings of his boyhood in a way poignant, brave and touching. What courage! What intelligence and ingenuity! I am glad for the epilogue...but would love to know more. A second book to follow up, perhaps? How did his parents get along? How did he do in school? How was it to learn English? And how did he end up in America? This author is VERY talented. The story more than readable. The memory of his experience will last with me.

All I can say is thank you Abbas for a truly inspiring recapture of your amazing journey. I have a friend that is also from Iran and made it out about the same time and is now a successful doctor in the United States.This story will move many people and also inspire them to offer kindness to other people.What an unbelievably brave boy Abbas was. It's amazing what instincts Abbas had at that young age!The author's mother and father did the ultimate sacrifice letting him go. My heart broke for his mother. I know both of them were so proud of their young son. I hope the story continues! I read the whole book today on a rainy day!Great read for everyone.

Based on a true story this is one of the most compelling books I have read. Abbas Kazerooni tells his story when he was 9 years old and had to leave Iran due to the war between Iran and Iraq. He had to leave his parents, his family and everything he knew and loved. His determination and resilience helps him to overcome an almost impossible challenge for an otherwise 9 year old child. His story is breathtaking and inspiring and leaves you with the wish for a continuation of his biography after this book ended.

This is an intriguing true story of a boy whose parents want to escape Iran but literally as they are at the airport going to leave they are blocked, so they send their child alone. At nine years old he is left to fend for himself in Istanbul and has to learn to use his nouse. The tale twists and turns but is quite extraordinary all the more becasue it is true. It has the makings of a movie. The style of writing is simple and easy to read and curiously unsentimental.

This is an amazing book. I couldn't put it down. True story & very sad.

Thanks

An incredible story,a page turner, and it's true.

This was a fantastic book, I couldn't put it down!