Samar Mahfouz Barraj facts for kids

Samar Mahfouz Barraj (Arabic:سمر محفوظ براج) is a talented writer from Lebanon. She writes many kinds of books, especially stories for children. She is also a poet, writes plays, and even songs! Samar has won many important awards for her books, both in her home region and around the world. She also helps translate books so more people can read them.

Where Samar Grew Up and Went to School

Samar Mahfouz Barraj was born and lives in the country of Lebanon. She studied at the American University of Beirut. In 2002, she earned a special diploma to teach Arabic and Social Studies to young students. She also has two bachelor's degrees from the same university. One is in Arabic and social sciences, and the other is in public administration.

Samar's Writing Journey

Samar Barraj wrote her first book, I didn't mean it, in 2007. This was just the start! Since then, she has published over 60 books with many different companies. She has also translated more than 78 books from languages like Italian, English, and French into Arabic.

One of her translated books, Grandma Will Always Remember Me, won first prize in 2012. This was at the Children's Book Fair in Beirut.

Awards for Her Books

Samar's books have won many special awards:

• In 2015, her book Red Line won the Kitabi Arabic Children's Book Prize. This book was special because it helped children learn about staying safe in a creative way. It was even translated into Turkish!
• Her book My Friend won the Kitabi Arabic Children's Book Prize in 2017.
• How beautiful is sleep! was recognized by the IBBY in 2014 for its great writing.
• Two of her books, Ball…Ball (2014) and Al Betaqa Al Ajeeba (The Amazing Card) (2017), were considered for the Sheikh Zayed Book Award.
• Four of her books were also nominated for the Etisalat Award for Arabic Children's Literature. These include Looking for a Hobby (2010), My Mother and Smoking (2011), When My Friend Got Sick (2011), and Shadi's Foot (2011). When My Friend Got Sick also won a second prize at the Beirut Arab International Book Fair in 2011.

Teaching and Workshops

Samar Barraj has also worked as a teacher and coordinator. From 2013, she was part of the faculty at the Lebanese American University. She also helped start "Mubadara" in 2015, which is a group that helps Arab children love reading.

She loves to teach! Since 2007, Samar has led workshops for both kids and adults. These workshops teach "how to make learning Arabic fun" and "how to encourage reading stories in Arabic." She also teaches "creative writing for children."

Speaking at Events

Samar has spoken at many important events around the world:

• In 2014, she spoke at a big meeting about how children's books and education can make a difference.
• She was a special guest at the Emirates Airlines Literature Festival in Dubai. There, she talked about how ideas become stories and led a writing workshop for children called "Children can also write."
• In 2013, she spoke at a conference about how important library activities are for helping kids read more in schools.
• In 2012, she spoke at the Sharjah Book Fair for Children Books and the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair. She shared ideas on "How to Promote Reading."

Samar's Books

Here are some of the books Samar Mahfouz Barraj has written:

See also

• Etel Adnan
• Hoda Barakat
• Maya Zankoul