"Abdi Nor Iftin first fell in love with America from afar. As a child, he learned English by listening to American pop artists like Michael Jackson and watching films starring action heroes like Arnold Schwarzenegger. When U.S. marines landed in Mogadishu to take on the warlords, Abdi cheered the arrival of these real Americans, who seemed as heroic as those of the movies. Sporting American clothes and dance moves, he became known around Mogadishu as Abdi American, but when the radical Islamist group al-Shabaab rose to power in 2006, it suddenly became dangerous to celebrate Western culture. Desperate to make a living, Abdi used his language skills to post secret dispatches to NPR and the Internet, which found an audience of worldwide listeners. But as life in Somalia grew more dangerous, Abdi was left with no choice but to flee to Kenya as a refugee. In an amazing stroke of luck, Abdi won entrance to the U.S. in the annual visa lottery, though his route to America--filled with twists

"Adapted for Young Adults".

"Growing up in Somalia, Abdi Nor Iftin was exposed to a blend of cultures, from the vivid folktales of his mother's rural nomadic upbringing to the bustling streets of the capital city of Mogadishu, which he traveled with his father. But then the threat of civil war forced his family to flee to safety. Through the turbulent years of war, young Abdi found solace in popular American music and films. He was nicknamed Abdi the American, and his story soon spread across the world, eventually giving him a shot at winning the annual U.S. visa lottery. In this young adult edition, Abdi shares every part of his journey, from his experiences during the war in Somalia to his status as a refugee in Kenya to his arrival in the Untied States. His courageous account reminds readers that everyone deserves a chance to build a brighter future for htemselves." ---page [4] of cover