Children's Literature as Protest: Writing about Conflict in Sudan

Group Submission Type: Book Launch

Description of Session

"Amira’s Diary of the Sudanese Revolution and War" takes the form of a child’s diary in which the young narrator recounts the events in Sudan from January 2018 to August 2023. During the past four years, Sudan has undergone inflation, a revolution, a military coup, and is currently descending into civil war. The Sudanese people are willing to fight for democracy, but as civilians are facing the loss of life, business, home, property, and country, children and young adults are often bearing the brunt of these conflicts. "Amira’s Diary" gives a voice to this struggle.

Session attendees will:
- Explore how children’s literature can serve as a form of protest
- Discuss the authors’ co-writing process and use of narrative interviews
- Increase their understanding of the events in Sudan through firsthand accounts

As coverage of the atrocities taking place in Khartoum are noticeably sparse in the news, "Amira’s Diary" and its accompanying resources create a new channel for Sudanese voices to be heard and for international attention to be drawn to this conflict. Using the medium of a children’s book both highlights the impact conflict has on children and gives educators and caregivers a tool to have conversations with children, both those who have lived through similar events and those who hope to learn about them. "Amira’s Diary" demonstrates how children’s literature and curriculum can be an act of protest by not just sharing a story of pain, but by also uplifting the creativity, resilience, innovation and the spirit of hope of the Sudanese people.

This text was co-written by a Sudanese, Reem Agil Elmanan, and US American author, Whitney Warren, who first met as co-workers while Warren was teaching abroad in Khartoum and then reconnected at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. "Amira’s Diary" and its resources were developed in collaboration with eleven Sudanese creators. It aims to generate power through collective action by centering local voices and by elevating their creative capital that has long been underestimated by the Sudanese government. The text in the story was based on three in-depth narrative interviews and Elmanan’s personal experiences. A draft of the book was shared with ten diverse Sudanese readers who then participated in individual conversations on how the book related to their experiences, which were subsequently incorporated into the text. The voices in this book represent different genders, income brackets, and ages.

"Amira’s Diary" aims to demonstrate historical, contemporary, comparative, and structural understanding, as well as strategies for action in a format that is accessible for all readers. Additional resources available via a website include: firsthand narratives, lesson plans, and original art. The website supports conversations and critical thinking as youth strive towards a better world, creates an ongoing historical record as told by the Sudanese people, and showcases the power and strength of the Sudanese people’s protest.

All creators have volunteered their time for this project and proceeds will be donated to supporting civilians in Khartoum. Copies of the book will be available for sale.

Sub Unit

• Pre-Conference Workshops, Book launches, and Visual Art Exhibits / Book Launch

Chair

• Whitney Warren, Building Tomorrow

Book Launch Presenter

• Reem Agil Elmanan, Harvard University Graduate School of Education