The many assassinations of Samir, The Seller of Dreams

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The title in this middle school read had me curious, why would someone want to assassinate Samir?   By page 37 I TOTALLY knew why people wanted Samir to die and so I stayed to see how it all played out.  What a rollicking ride!  Oh my, the various assassinations…. their creativity, and well… lack of success… This book by Daniel Nayeri was a very fun read.   Let’s talk! 

The Basic Details

Title: The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams
Author: Daniel Nayeri
Illustrator: Daniel Miyares
Publisher: Levine Querido
Pages: 224
Intended Audience: 8-12 years, Grade 3-7
Genre: Folk Tales & Myths, Action & Adventure, Middle School Literature,
Formats Available: Kindle, Audio, Hardcover
Received: Hardcover
Reviewed For: Raincoast Books

About the Author and The Book

Daniel Nayeri hails from Iran and now lives in Oklahoma with his wife and son.  He has written nine other books for children and youth.  His middle Eastern background is evident through this most recent one. 

The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams introduces us to Monkey and Samir’s larger “family” of travelers.  We are brought along the Silk Road, through a dangerous section filled with battles against weather and other, not always natural, disasters.  Samir is a man who likes to talk and spin his words to suit his purposes, leaving him with a rather large number of enemies.  Will he be able to fight them off?  Can Monkey help him?   Stay tuned! 

Looking Deeper into The many assassinations of Samir the seller of dreams

You need to check out the illustrations by Daniel Miyares. A new one for every chapter, in full colour.  They really help bring the story to life in the midst of many assassinations and danger. 

The text is a nice size and easy to read.  

Every chapter opens with an interesting piece of artwork that leads into the chapter before us. Chapters filled with excitement, challenge, choices, and knowledge.  History woven into words and adventures

My Thoughts

The first line draws you in immediately “The first time I was stoned to death by an angry mob, I was not even a criminal.”.   Doesn’t that make you curious? 

How many times was this young man stoned?  Did he become a criminal in the end?  Why was the mob angry? And what do you mean… the first time you were stoned to death?  How can someone be stoned to death twice? 

Wouldn’t YOU want to know more?   I know I did!   So many emotions throughout!  Anger at Samir, frustration with the brothers, along with curiousity about how this would all play out, humour, incredulity and more.  I found this a fun read and I think you will too.  This is not just for middle schoolers! It’s for anyone looking for a fun read that might surprise you in the end. 

Check out The Many Assassinations of Samir, The Seller of Dreams.  Learn a bit about The Silk Road and the dangers of travelling it (and the rewards) and follow Monkey!