I picked this book to read because I wanted to know more about the war in the 1990s in the former Yugoslavia. Although the writing wasn't fabulous, I enjoyed seeing the war through eyes of someone who'd experienced it as a child and how his vengeful feelings were softened when he went back to visit Bosnia as an adult. ( )

What an eye-opener. My son was assigned Serbia in his middle school's UN program and needless to say, we had a difficult time finding something appropriate. Everything out there seemed to be dryly academic or watered down enough to be palatable for young children and consequently lacking in substance. Ultimately, we were both grateful for the assignment, primarily because of this book, which was so shocking, moving, and heartwrenching. I had no clue the Bosnian War was so horrific. I have read many books on the WW2 holocaust, yet never have I read of so many "regular" people committing such atrocities against people who were once their friends and neighbors. It has deepened my compassion for refugees and forever changed a piece of my soul. And despite the book's disturbing content, I was happy that my son, who was deeply affected by it as well, read it. I wouldn't want him on an exclusive diet of this type of book, but I think it's important for teens to be aware of what kids elsewhere have endured and continue to endure so perhaps they'll some day be part of the change. ( )

DNF p. 48

Hard to describe - definitely a must-read! ( )

One of the best things about having a book blog is the opportunities it creates for you to read things you might not have heard about or considered. The Bosnia List is one of those books I'm so glad I got an opportunity to read and review. Complex, nuanced, tragic, and joyful, it is a book that will make you ponder your own good fortune and think about the nature of diversity, horror, and compassion.

Mr. Trebinčević tells the story of his family's life in Brčko before the war, during the war, after their escape, and upon their return. With an understandable mix of emotions, Mr. Trebinčević is wary about returning, but does so to honor his father's wish to see his home again before he dies. Armed with a list of wrongs, people and places he wants to confront, and a lot of well-deserved anger, the author works his way through his list and finds a situation more complex than he had imagined and comes away with feelings of reconciliation and compassion. I admire him a great deal for the latter. I can't imagine how one reconciles with neighbors who stole from you, threatened you, killed people who looked like you, but the author's example inspires me to continue talking to people and hearing their stories. It's when we lose sight of the grays in the world and huddle in the black and white that we begin to lose our humanity. ( )