"Playing Atari with Saddam Hussein: Based on a True Story" by Neil Shah is a memoir that recounts the author's unique childhood spent in Iraq during the late 1980s, at a time when his family lived in the shadow of Saddam Hussein's regime. Through the lens of a young boy, Shah shares his experiences of navigating everyday life amid political turmoil, forming friendships, and showcasing the stark contrast between childhood innocence and the oppressive environment surrounding them. The narrative blends humor and tension, ultimately revealing the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity and the bonds of family and friendship that endure. [Generated by language model - please report any problems].

This book is part of a book series called Based On a True Stories .

This book is aimed at children at US 5th grade-7th grade.

This book has been graded for interest at 8-12 years.

This book was published in 2020 by Tantor Audio .

Jennifer Roy is the author of 40 books, including the highly acclaimed Yellow Star, which won a Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Award for Excellence in Children's Literature and a School Library Journal Best Book. She is also the author of Cordially Uninvited and Mindblind. Ali Fadhil grew up in Basra, Iraq, and became an interpreter during the trial of Saddam Hussein. He now lives in Dublin, Ohio. Jennifer Roy is the author of more than thirty books for children and young adults, including Israel: Discovering Cultures. A former teacher, she holds a BS in Psychology and an MA in Elementary Education. Yellow Star is based on the childhood of Jennifer's aunt Sylvia, who provided extensive interviews as the author was writing this book. Jennifer lives in New York.