Janet Morrison

Another incredible book from Laleh Chini!

Reviewed in the United States on November 2, 2025

Hassan was a teenager when he risked his life to escape Iran after the Shah of Iran was overthrown in 1979. Life under the Shah’s rule was not perfect, but things deteriorated rapidly during and after the revolution. This book will take you along with Hassan every excruciating step of the way as he was determined to get to Canada and have a free life. Hassan’s decision was gut-wrenching for himself and his parents, but he faced a bleak future if he stayed in his home country. He already had his eye on the lovely Laleh, who was from his hometown. He never gave up on his dream of reaching Canada and reuniting with Laleh. He joined others who sought to escape Iran, and they bonded as they walked and ran to the border with Afghanistan, then braved the desert with very little food and water, always at the mercy of smugglers they had placed their lives in the hands of. Then came two more countries. Hassan continued to do everything he needed to do to blend in and not draw attention to himself in one strange land after another. Did Hassan make it to Canada? How did he and Laleh find one another again after so much terror and sacrifice? I don’t want to give that away. You must read the book to appreciate Hassan’s bravery and sacrifice and to see if he realized his dream. The exquisite hand-drawn illustrations are a bonus in 15,000 Kilometers. There are wonderful detailed images of Hassan, the guards and other men he encountered, and some of the sights he saw along the way. The words and the images in 15,000 Kilometers, by Laleh Chini, are a real treasure that reminded me how fortunate I was to be born in the United States. Even with all of America’s flaws and current challenges, I was blessed to be born and grow up in a free country. I highly recommend 15,000 Kilometers by Laleh Chini to anyone who needs to be reminded what people will do and risk just to live free.