I Escaped a Chinese Internment Camp

WINNER OF THE 2022 PULITZER PRIZE FOR ILLUSTRATED REPORTING!
A 2024 JUNIOR LIBRARY GUILD SELECTION!

This graphic novella recounts the true story of Zumrat Dawut, as originally published in the independent online news organization, Insider, through interviews conducted by Anthony Del Col and testimony given to the United Nations Human Rights Council.

Zumrat Dawut is a mother of three in the Xinjiang autonomous region in China, who was arrested and sent to a detention facility for simply being a Muslim. There she endured brutal living conditions, torture, interrogations, anti-Muslim propaganda, and sterilization. But that was just the beginning of Zumrat's troubles, who with her husband would soon hatch a plan to escape to America.

This story, featuring art by Golden Kit Award-Winner Fahmida Azim (Samira Surfs), and adapted by best-selling writer Anthony Del Col (Kill Shakespeare), was originally published online by Insider.

I Escaped a Chinese Internment Camp is a harrowing, evocative and important story that will enthrall and enlighten readers worldwide.

Anthony Del Col is the best-selling podcast, comics, TV, and digital writer/producer of KILL SHAKESPEARE, ASSASSIN'S CREED and the controversial graphic novel THE DEATH OF NANCY DREW, amongst others. His 2020 audio drama ASSASSIN'S CREED: GOLD, starring Oscar-nominee Riz Ahmed, was Audible's top-rated release of the year. His first project with Audible, the found-footage thriller UNHEARD: THE STORY OF ANNA WINSLOW, hit #1 on Audible and broke download records. Author of a series of acclaimed non-fiction comics for Insider.com (including the recent I SURVIVED A CHINESE INTERNMENT CAMP, a first-person exploration of one Muslim Uyghur woman's imprisonment by the Chinese government). A proud Canadian, Del Col lives in Brooklyn with his lovely - and patient - wife Lisa, son Dashiell, and daughter Siena.

Fahmida Azim is an illustrator and storyteller. Her work centers on themes of identity, culture, and autonomy. She and her art have been seen in The New York Times, NPR, Glamour, Scientific American, The Intercept, Vice, and more. Fahmida has illustrated a number of books including her own stereotype-shattering project Muslim Women Are Everything (HarperDesign, 2020). She enjoys drawing real people living extraordinary lives, fictional people living beautifully ordinary lives, and food. Originally from Bangladesh, Fahmida now lives and creates in Seattle, Washington.