The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams by Daniel Nayeri - OPTIONAL

The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams by Daniel Nayeri, 224 pages. Levine Querido, 2023. $22

Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (some fighting, talk of assassination)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW

When Samir rescues “Monk” from the monks who want his blood, Monk becomes Samir’s “monkey” servant. In order to win his freedom, Monk must pay off his debt. Considering how many people want Samir dead, Monk decides that each time he saves Samir’s life, that erases part of the debt. There is a beautiful girl amongst their fellow travelers that Monk also wants to impress. As they travel along the Silk Road, danger - because of Samir - lurks around every corner.

Nayeri’s writing feels like a modern fable or myth - but it is one that passed right by me.  I can see students reading this as part of a class, but not sharing it with each other as a great read.

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS