Asad’s Secret Review: A Boy From Palestine

 

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

"He leaves the boy standing there and is on his way while a voice drones in his head: PRISON-it's a prison, prison, prison." 

Set in Palestine, Asad’s Secret by Najlaa Attaalah follows the life of Asad, the eldest of eight children living in a small home. With his father imprisoned, Asad takes on responsibilities far beyond his years, working at a printing press through the summer and stepping up as the man of the house. But this role weighs heavily on him. He feels trapped, resentful, and confused: why must he face life’s hardest sides? Being the eldest brings him no pride, only the burden of caring for his whole family, and he often feels suffocated by it all. It’s only when he meets Um Fawzi, a wise old woman, that he begins to find guidance and a way out of his heavy, brooding thoughts. 

The story focuses on everyday moments that dive deep into Asad’s inner world. We see him struggle to balance his duty to his family with his dream of continuing his education, and watch as he navigates the anger, frustration, and sadness that come with his family’s difficult circumstances after his father’s imprisonment. 

This is a character-driven book. We spend almost the whole story inside Asad’s head, and honestly, it’s not always an easy place to be. He carries so much negativity, such as how he envies people around him whom he sees as “happier” or luckier, even though as readers, we can tell they have their own struggles too, they just choose to face life differently. 

The plot is good, but don’t come here expecting big conflicts, high adventure, or shocking plot turns. The plot is "gentle" and focused entirely on how Asad perceives his life, his community, and his place in it. 

Asad’s Secret is a well-written, thoughtful read, but I think it’s not for everyone. Many young readers look for stories full of action, adventure, and surprises, and this book is the opposite: quiet, reflective, and heavy with emotion. 

That said, if you love literary fiction and stories that explore real-life hardship and personal growth in a meaningful way, this one is absolutely worth picking up. 

Thank you to Levine Querido and NetGalley for providing me with the review copy.