The Teacher of Nomad Land
The Teacher of Nomad Land
A National Book Award Finalist!
Page-turning WW2 hidden history masterfully told by award winner Daniel Nayeri
1941. The German armies are storming across Europe. Iran is a neutral country occupied by British forces on one side, Soviet forces on another. Soldiers fill the teahouses of Isfahan. Nazi spies roam the alleyways.
Babak and his little sister have just lost their father. Now orphans, fearing they will be separated, the two devise a plan. Babak will take up his father's old job as a teacher to the nomads. With a chalkboard strapped to Babak's back, and a satchel full of textbooks, the siblings set off to find the nomad tribes as they make their yearly trek across the mountains.
On the treacherous journey they meet a Jewish boy, hiding from a Nazi spy. And suddenly, they are all in a race for survival.
Against the backdrop of World War II comes an epic adventure in the faraway places. Through the cacophony of soldiers, tanks, and planes, can young hearts of different creeds and nations learn to find a common language?
Master storyteller Daniel Nayeri keeps you on the edge of your seat, uncertain to the very end.
PRAISE
A National Book Award Finalist
★ "Heart-piercing… Babak’s palpable love for his sister emphasizes the novel’s suggestion that there is power in kindness, even in the face of tragedy. Lush details and taut plotting distinguish this immersive, profound offering.”
– Publishers Weekly (starred)
★ “The artfully detailed setting and strong values depicted through Babak’s endeavor to teach others will leave readers inspired. A powerful novel about an often-forgotten region and era that highlights the power of education through shared communication to create bonds.”
– School Library Journal (starred)
★ "Gripping… Nayeri tells a remarkably intimate story… The novel’s richly drawn characters and evocative setting provide enough context about World War II and Iranian history without overwhelming young readers… A compelling testament to the power of education and empathy to light the way in even the most perilous circumstances."
– Kirkus Reviews (starred)
★ “Nayeri's gifts for understatement, restraint, and split-second swings between humor and emotional devastation are on full display, and all three make for an affecting read.”
—Shelf-Awareness (starred)
"A fictional story so utterly real the reader feels it must be true… The setting here — mountains, brush and beleaguered cities — is vivid and gritty. The characters, especially Sana and Ben, are so authentic you can hear their breath when they speak. The plot is as tight as an ocean-bound ship. But the glory of this book is the way it reaches across cultures and time to find an essential truth: 'What we want others to know, we must teach them.' Superb."
– Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, The New York Times
"World War II stories are perennially popular, but Newbery honoree Nayeri brings a fresh lens… The journey’s mishaps and crises, including an unforgettable game of telephone, remind readers of the ripple effects of war, while Nayeri’s immaculately crafted turns of phrase pierce the heart with precision."
– The Washington Post
about the author
Award-winning author Daniel Nayeri, who was born in Iran and immigrated to Oklahoma as a refugee, captivated readers with his poignant memoir Everything Sad Is Untrue (Printz Award Winner) and the epic adventure The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams (Newbery Award Honor). A former publisher, editor, and pastry chef, he resides along the East Coast with his family.
Author residence: East Coast
Type: Middle Grade Novel
Pages: 192
Format: Hardcover (Trade)
Publication: 9/16/2025
ISBN: 9781646145669