The Boy and His Sandcastle

Condemned as a terrorist. Transformed by words. A diary of one man's journey through 17 years of imprisonment...

The Boy and His Sandcastle is the inspiring true story of Zakaria Amara, a young man sentenced to life for his role in a foiled terrorist plot in Toronto. After years of despair, he finally discovers the transformative power of words and finds the courage to reshape his destiny.

Written during his years of incarceration, Zakaria employs a distinctive blend of stories, essays, and poems to chronicle his journey from captivity to freedom, reflecting on his struggles, growth, and ultimate redemption.

"The Shawshank Redemption meets The Alchemist: A true story for those experiencing great hardships in their lives. Never before has anyone journeyed to the depth of despair and returned with such an inspiring and clear roadmap. Devastating, triumphant, and absolutely beautiful!" - Cell Count Magazine

"At the core of the book is the question: Can people really change?" - Toronto Star

"A beautiful somber tale. The author does an amazing job using imagery, poetry, lyrical prose, and story telling to express himself and inspire all who read it. The fall, the rise, the grasping at redemption. Gut wrenching at times, yet there's a pull within as one reads, as if greatness is just out of grasp. Truly tantalizing. A great book and worth a read!" - Thomas Markley, author of Prayers for Travelers