How being disciplined helped CBC Short Story Prize juror Omar El Akkad write better short stories (new window) What Strange Paradise (new window) tells both their stories and how they each reached this moment, while asking the questions, How did we get here? and What are we going to do about it? Even though they don't share a common language or culture, Vanna becomes determined to keep Amir safe. He ends up with a teenage girl named Vanna, who lives on the island. Nine-year-old Amir is the only survivor from a ship full of refugees coming to a small island nation. What Strange Paradise (new window) is a novel that tells the story of a global refugee crisis through the eyes of a child. I've had the incredible honour of being mentioned in the same breath as four outstanding authors, any of whom could be standing up here right now. I didn't think I had a chance in hell of winning this … this is by far the greatest honour in my career, said El Akkad in his acceptance speech. He is also the author of the novel American War (new window), which was defended on Canada Reads (new window) 2018 by actor Tahmoh Penikett. El Akkad is a Canadian journalist and author who currently lives in Portland.
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