The Boy on the Beach is a beautiful yet haunting tale of a heartbreaking story that swept the nation.

Back in 2015 there was a very viral picture of a young, Syrian refugee boy washed up on the shore of the Mediterranean. It was heartbreaking, knowing that these people were seeking help and they didn't get it. Alan Kurdi was the young boy, and Tima Kurdi (his aunt) shares the powerful story of this tragedy in this beautifully written novel.

This book is one for the ages: it showcases real human emotion. Syrian refugees are normal people (which some people on the internet do not seem to get) and were just living their lives and doing their best. Families, jobs, education, marriages, pregnancies, miscarriages, etc. They all had experiences and were doing their best. Then the Syrian War happened and ruined everything. The war went on for ages and people tried to escape, many of them taking the refugee route. These people bargained with smugglers and tried to escape to another nation, but many did not make it.

This story HURT. I can't even imagine what it would be like to be on the other side of that picture. I remember seeing it and having my heart ache, but not to the level that Tima and her family would have felt. To lose one's children and wife, or nephew and sister-in-law, to know that you tried to get them freedom and one small decision is what hurt them. It's heart breaking.

If there's a positive about this book, hopefully it'll open some hearts up and someone will be able to help someone else. Not only is this book written beautifully, but it reeks of empathy. My heart felt like it was going to explode reading it. I felt so attached and I felt so strongly for Tima. That writing ability, it's one for the ages.

My only negative for the book is that is was sad, and that's not even a negative - it's reality. I almost cried reading this book because it's just so darn awful yet amazing. It's a horrible story, one that definitely was not deserved by all of those involved. The inhumane crimes... it's despicable. But Tima's ability to write and make me feel for her and want to do everything in my power to help, that's just amazing. There's also so much love and adoration in this book as well. The love of her family, the desire to do better - it's worthwhile.

You'll be grateful for the position you're in and you'll feel things you've never felt before once you pick up this book. I swear. Hug your family a little closer tonight and realize things can change in an instant. This book also gave me a reminder that you don't know what's going on in other people's lives, so respect, respect, respect. And give a little empathy once and a while. Maybe don't go judging based off Twitter and Fox News.

I'd 100%, highly recommend this book. It'll make you cry and feel things you never did. It's beautiful, astonishing and moving. I can't recommend it enough - non-fiction lovers, history lovers, explorers and people who just want to feel something. Seriously, pick up this book.

Five out of five stars. I would give it six if possible.

I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads. My copy was also an arc, so it may have changed upon publication. ( )

This book is timely and topical but fairly meh in terms of the actual writing. ( )

I received an ARC of this book to read from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. The Boy on the Beach by Tima Kurdi is the story of the family of the little boy who drowned while trying to seek refuge from the war in Syria. The photograph of Alan Kurdi was seen all around the world and I think it made clear that the people trying to escape from the wars in their homelands were families just like ours and not just numbers. This story is heartbreaking but it is such an important story and as difficult as I found it to read this book I continued because it was the least thing I could do to support those seeking safety. Reading this book helped to increase my understanding of the desperation felt by those seeking refuge. I do recommend this book, I think it is a story that needs to be told and to be shared. ( )