Middle East
Browse through these titles and those from previous years for some selections to share with your family or students. The following introduction was written by reviewer Karen Leggett:
We get tabbouleh in the grocery store, pita at the deli and histories of Muhammad and Qatar at the public library. Not all that long ago we'd never heard of any of it even though they are all ancient. Ever since the 9-11 tragedy , Americans are devouring anything that might help explain the terrorists' motivation, the apparently deep-seated hatred of America and just the history of a part of the world so foreign -- yet suddenly in our face.
Publishers jumped to the task and the past year has seen series after series of country studies, political biographies and picture book introductions to various faiths. Quality varies widely, both in basic accuracy and in presentation, but here are a few questions to help you judge the series and titles for your own library, store or classroom:
- Does the series or title name a consultant who is an expert in the field or a practitioner of the appropriate faith? This should ideally be someone from a Middle Eastern country, like Akbar Ahmed, Chair of Islamic Studies at American University. He writes an excellent introduction to the Chelsea House Creation of the Modern Middle East, in which he notes that the story of the "Middle East is, in many profound ways, the story of human civilization."
- Do photos illustrate the modern-traditional split in most Middle Eastern countries or are they just romantic, archival photos of dusty rural villages and colorful Bedouins? Dorling-Kindersley's Islam, in the style of many other DK Eyewitness Books, is packed with brilliant and intriguing photographs.
- Is history written as a textbook-style recitation of emirs, battles and princes or as anecdotes and events that put Middle Eastern nation-building in context, explaining the strategic importance of oil and the continuing impact of colonial-era borders and decisions?
- Is the cultural context of major social or political change explained (for example, the veil that Americans traditionally associate with Muslim women actually pre-dates Islam and is often a cultural tradition, not a religious one, in many Middle Eastern countries)?
- The good news is that there is a wealth of books to choose from in all formats - picture books, historical fiction, nonfiction, books with religious or secular perspectives, books perfect for research, books better for stimulating discussion. We are making up for decades, even centuries of ignoring the rich world beyond Europe and America. Choose carefully and a whole new-old part of the world is waiting to be discovered by both young readers and the adults around them.
Contributor: Emily Griffin
Reviews
Alia's Mission: Saving the Books of Iraq
Mark Alan Stamaty
"In the Koran, the first thing God said to Muhammad was 'Read.'"--Alia Muhammad Baker. My second-grader has a number of friends whose parents are in the military which has lead to his rock-solid belief in this: Iraq is the enemy. So I was only too glad to find not one, but two, new books this spring that not only made him aware of Iraqis who were NOT Saddam Hussein or his allies, but which also filled out the picture of war he had in his head--one that amounted to good guys (us) killing bad guys (them). Even better, the main character in these books is a heroic . . . librarian. And the fact that both The Librarian of Basra by Jeanette Winter (Harcourt, $16, ages 4 to 8) and Alia's Mission are based on true events helped humanize "the enemy" for him. Stamaty's book is equally as good as Winter's, but skews to a slightly older audience. It defies categorization--you could call it a slim graphic novel if it was fiction, but he didn't make it up. He did invent a narrator, an anthropomorphized book with legs, arms and a friendly face, who begins Baker's story in childhood, recalling a lesson from Iraq history that left a lasting impression--the 13th Century Mongol invasion during which fire destroyed the Baghdad library. The black-and-white comic-book style panels manage to capture both Baker's bravery and the horror of a city under siege. Bombs explode in the background, as Baker and her fellow rescuers race to get the books out of the library. A double spread showing the library in flames carries just these words: "A HORRIBLE SIGHT." Stamaty then offers a detail that Winter, writing for a younger audience, tucks into an endnote. In the hours immediately after her library burned to the ground, Baker suffered a serious stroke. That didn't stop the "mission" of the title, though. After all, Baker managed to save 70 percent of her library's holdings. Now she needs somewhere to put them. So she is working again, overseeing the design and building of a brand-new library. The final illustrations show Baker looking at blueprints, talking to construction workers, and finally, sharing a book with two boys. "Deep in her heart," Stamaty writes, "is a feeling of joy." 2004, Knopf/Random House, $12.95. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer: Sue Corbett (Miami Herald) (Children's Literature).
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
Middle East Book Awards, 2005 Winner Picture Book United States
ISBN: 9780375832178
ISBN: 9780375932175
Count Your Way Through Iran
Jim Haskins and Kathleen Benson
Illustrated by Farida Zaman
Learn to count in Farsi and find out about Iran as you do it. This premise guides this small book, leading the authors to present facts in an entertaining and interesting manner. Every country in the Middle East is rapidly gaining importance in the United States and this book solves the problem of introducing young children to this relatively unknown geographic region. The short introduction explains where Iran is, relates it in size to Alaska, and gives a few basic facts (population, language, alphabet, history). The information on each number page illustrates one facet of contemporary or historical Iran, from the locally made car and transportation to the ancient towers of silence of the little practiced religion of Zoroastrianism, to the favored sport of wrestling. The colorful illustrations add to the fun of the book, capturing unique aspects of the lifestyle, dress, and landscape. 2007, Millbrook Press, $19.93. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewer: Elisabeth Greenberg (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9781575058818
ISBN: 1575058812
Diminishing Resources: Oil
Timothy Gardner
While most people do not realize it, or simply do not give it a seconds thought, they are surrounded by petroleum and its many products. Daily transportation is obvious, but did you know that asphalt, the substance roads are made from, is the stuff from the bottom of the oil barrel? Even the food chain is dependent on fossil fuels, whether fertilizer or the means of moving produce from farm to table. Plastic, which is made primarily from oil, is everywhere: computers, packaging, and medical equipment. The problem is that supplies are dwindling. America imports about 65% of its crude oil, and domestic companies are drilling farther and farther into the earth to secure a supply. Author Timothy Gardner opens the book with a dramatic look at present problems in the petroleum industry before devoting the bulk of the book to detailing the uneven history of oil, both in America and throughout the world. In addition to early history, Gardner includes the rise of environmentalism and conservationism in the 1970s as well as the conflicts in the Middle East in more recent decades. America's love for the SUV, the fall of Saddam Hussein, and the attack on the World Trade Center are all examined for their connection to oil. The book, however, ends on a hopeful note by including brief sections on wind power and biofuels. A thought-provoking and informative book written in such a way as to be both educational and pleasurable, this title in the "Diminishing Resources" series will have readers of all ages more conscious of the role of oil in their daily lives. It includes modern and historic photographs, a table of contents, illustrations, a timeline, source notes, a thorough bibliography, relevant Web sites, and an index. 2010, Morgan Reynolds Publishing Inc, $28.95. Ages 14 up. Reviewer: Keri Collins Lewis (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9781599351179
ISBN: 159935117X
Figs and Fate: Stories about Growing Up in the Arab World Today
Elsa Marston
Growing up happens. It does not matter what one's culture is. In these short stories, contemporary boys and girls experience pressures from family, friends, and self as they grow older and wiser. Marston reflects universal experiences of teenagers in situations that readers expect to be far more different, although not less painful. In the story In Line, Rania's father is transferred from Cairo to a small village, and her mother does not want her mixing with the local children. She leads a lonely existence studying for exams, except for some special adventures with Fayza and a pair of skates. Aneesi, a Syrian working for a wealthy Lebanese family, also gets a job for her father until the family's teenager accuses him of stealing in The Hand of Fatima. A Syrian boy in Faces learns to cook for his mother as a gift when it is decided that he must go to live with his father and new wife. A Palestinian boy in a refugee camp in The Plan plays matchmaker for his art teacher and older brother. An Iraqi girl regains her lost sense of self by giving joy to a special teacher in Santa Claus in Baghdad. Hearing these stories from young people in different and difficult settings makes their lives more fathomable, more believable. As they learn to cope, take responsibility, and understand others as well as themselves, these teens demonstrate all that is best in a new and challenged generation seeking a better life. This book will be an excellent addition to the multicultural collection for public and school libraries. VOYA CODES: 4Q 4P M J S (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; Broad general YA appeal; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12). 2005, George Braziller, 136p., $22.50 and $15.95 Trade pb. Ages 11 to 18. Reviewer: Patricia Morrow (VOYA, October 2005 (Vol. 28, No. 4)).
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
Middle East Book Awards, 2005 Winner Youth Literature United States
ISBN: 9780807615515
ISBN: 9780807615546
Goha, the Wise Fool
Denys Johnson-Davies
Art by Hany El Saed Ahmed
Traditional tales about Nasreddin Hoca, known as Goha the Wise Fool, have been told throughout the Middle East for centuries. Sometimes he is amusingly dim-witted, as are many folk heroes, and sometimes he is shrewdly clever. In fifteen short tales we see Goha sometimes being foolish, sometimes outwitting those who would take advantage of him, from robbers to his wife, his son, even himself. Parallels and comparisons can be drawn with many of our traditional European tales. The illustrator uses boldly simple full-page illustrations, originally created on fabric with appliqué and embroidery, which are happily married to the innocent tales. No perspective is needed to suggest the space each demands. A few wiggly lines are enough to anchor figures in space while a tree hints at a landscape. Characters are dressed in appropriate clothing. Brightly-colored fabric pictures like these are sewn by traditional tent-makers and available for sale in Egypt today. Notes further describe the creation of the illustrations as well as a bit about the history of the character of Goha. 2005, Philomel Books/Penguin Young Readers Group, $16.99. Ages 5 to 9. Reviewer: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature).
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
Anne Izard Storytellers Choice Award, 2007 Winner United States
ISBN: 9780399242229
ISBN: 0399242228
The Grand Mosque of Paris: A Story of How Muslims Saved Jews During the Holocaust
Karen Gray Ruelle and Deborah Durland DeSaix
The story opens with a dark painting of Nazi soldiers marching by the Arc de Triomphe in Paris in 1940. The opposite page shows a phrase that is both an Islamic hadith, or saying, and a Jewish proverb: "Save one life, and it is as if you've saved all of humanity." This is the little known story of Muslims in France who hid Jews in the Grand Mosque, "an oasis hidden behind high walls right in the middle of the city." The Mosque was a community center for people who came to France from North African colonies like Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia. Si Kaddour Benghabrit was the sophisticated and cultured Algerian-born diplomat who ran the mosque. He helped one young Berber Jew from Algeria hide out at the mosque during the Nazi occupation. He hid the children of other North African Jews among his own children. A Muslim doctor from Tunisia helped Jewish children obtain false identity papers so they could pass as Christian or Muslim. The Nazis were reluctant to target Muslims as they feared a Muslim uprising in North Africa where they were already fighting Allied forces. Grand Mosque of Paris provides a little known chapter in the story of the Jews in Europe during World War II--historical examples of people now perceived as sworn enemies helping each other stay alive. The illustrations are painted in soft, somber colors, often evoking the fear and loneliness of the time. The authors describe their research in an "Afterword" and provide a short glossary. Although this story is presented as a picture book, the text and illustrations lend themselves as well to older readers who may be more familiar with the history of the second World War. 2009, Holiday House, $17.95. Ages 6 to 12. Reviewer: Karen Leggett (Children's Literature).
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
Middle East Book Awards, 2009 Honorable Mention Picture Book United States
ISBN: 9780823421596
ISBN: 0823421597
The Iranian Revolution
Brendan January
The Iranian Revolution begins on February 1, 1979 with a discussion of the causes of the Iranian Revolution and the national discontent that resulted in the deposition of the shah and the rise of an Islamic republic under Ayatollah Khomeini. It explores religious fundamentalism and hostility toward the United States, "the Great Satan," which resulted in the hostage crisis (1979-1981). The book concludes with an examination of the country and Iranian-U.S. relations 30 years later. Supplementary material includes a section on primary source research, a timeline, who's who, and source notes. The section on primary source research does not contain any primary sources; it indicates how to locate and interpret them. The book is well illustrated with photos and maps. It is clear, succinct, and easy-to-read. Bibliography. Glossary. Index. Recommended. 2008, Twenty-First Century Books (Lerner Publishing Group), 160pp., $38.60 lb.. Ages 12 to 16. Reviewer: Norman Desmarais (Library Media Connection, September 2008).
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
A Junior Library Guild selection
Middle East Book Awards, 2009 Winner Youth Nonfiction United States
ISBN: 9780822575214
ISBN: 0822575213
Kuwait
Hal Marcovitz
Billed as "Updated and Revised," this "Major Muslim Nations" series is a successor to two previous ones, brought on a little further in time. In seven chapters each volume offers information about geography, history, economy, politics and religion, people and communities, and foreign relations. Kuwait informs students that this tiny country is mostly low-lying desert except for an area around Kuwait Bay, where its capital Kuwait City is located. Since 1936, when its first oil well was sunk, Kuwait has become immensely rich. Rulers have shared the wealth, so many luxuries are free to Kuwaiti citizens; some don't have to work at all, while much of the manual labor is performed by foreign workers. The author is obsessed with the Gulf War of 1991 (a truly devastating and an ecological disaster), devoting much space to it, including two color photos of Donald Rumsfeld and one of George H. W. Bush. (An American military base remains there.) Kuwaitis have since rebuilt their country at a cost of $160 billion, mainly with revenue from oil. Though Kuwait has a constitution, its ruler is an emir who can dismiss its National Assembly, while its legislation is based on sharia. There isn't much "updating" in this volume—except for a mention that women received voting rights in 2005 and that fundamentalism is now making headway with voters, no events in the text take place after 2003. Note: The Foreign Policy Research Institute is a conservative think tank, whose president has contributed an introduction to the series. 2010, Mason Crest, Ages 12 up, $25.95. Reviewer: Barbara L. Talcroft (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-1-4222-1386-5
ISBN: 978-1-4222-1416-9
Listen to the Wind: The Story of Dr. Greg and Three Cups of Tea
Greg Mortenson and Susan L. Roth
Illustrated by Susan L. Roth
Written from the perspective of the children of Korphe, the story of Greg Mortenson's experience in a Pakistani village unfolds. He was lost in the mountains and by chance encountered the village of Korphe. The people helped Greg get well. As he recuperated, he assisted them with his nursing skills and helped the children with their lessons. Once Greg regained his health and was ready to go home, he wanted to do something special for the people of Korphe. The response that he received from Haji Ali was to "listen to the wind"; from those words, Greg knew that he was going to return to help the village build a school: there was no school building and lessons were held outdoors. The story continues with the construction of the school building, which was not a simple task because the supplies had to reach from one mountain to the next mountain where Korphe was located. Yet determination and many helping hands completed the school building. The collages are exquisite and capture the heart of the story. The artist shares her story about the research in creating the magnificent scenes in the book. In addition, there are captioned photographs of the construction and the people of Korphe. Although there are versions of this story for older readers and adults, this book with its richly textured collages is inspirational for readers of all ages. Listen to the wind to hear what message awaits you. 2009, Dial Books for Young Readers/Penguin Putnam, $16.99. Ages 5 to 8. Reviewer: Carrie Hane Hung (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780803730588
ISBN: 0803730586
Lugalbanda: The Boy Who Got Caught Up in a War
Kathy Henderson
Illustrated by Jane Ray
This tale from ancient Iraq is purported to be the oldest written story ever discovered. It was written by the ancient Sumerians about five thousand years ago. Lugalbanda was the youngest of King Enmerkar's eight sons. When his father and older brothers prepared to go to war, he insisted that he must go along. After six days of strenuous marching, young Lugalbanda fell ill. He could not continue on. His brothers made him comfortable in a warm cave, placed food around him, hung pots of scented incense over his head, and placed his ax and dagger nearby. They left in sorrow knowing that war would not wait for a young boy to recover. After two days of sleeping, Lugalbanda awakened. He called out to the sun god Utu in the morning and to the evening star goddess Inana that night. They sent the moon god Nanna-Suen to stay with Lugalbanda during his recovery. Lugalbanda learned to survive on his own, but he was lost and lonely. He decided to befriend the fearsome Anzu bird through feeding and honoring the chick left in the nest. The grateful Anzu bird offered Lugalbanda many different treasures, but he asked only for superhuman strength--for legs that would run and never be tired and arms that could reach out and never feel weak. After granting Lugalbanda's wish, the Anzu bird flew high over the mountains and found King Enmerkar's army. Lugalbanda's brothers rejoiced at his arrival. Lugalbanda kept his divine skills secret as he used them for the advantage of his people. When he returned to Uruk, he honored the gods and goddesses who had helped him and he filled his land with statues, sculptures, and paintings of the great Anzu bird. The book is profusely illustrated with many full-page paintings and smaller accent pieces based on Ray's research of Sumerian artifacts in the British Museum. This is an elegantly designed book in a longer format than usually found with the retelling of folk tales. 2006, Candlewick Press, $16.99. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer: Phyllis Kennemer, Ph.D. (Children's Literature).
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
Aesop Prize, 2007 Winner United States
Anne Izard Storytellers' Choice Award, 2007 Winner United States
Middle East Book Awards, 2006 Winner Picture Book United States
Parents' Choice Award, 2006 Gold Fiction United States
ISBN: 9780763627829
ISBN: 0763627828
Libya
Daniel E. Harmon
Billed as "Updated and Revised," this "Major Muslim Nations" series is a successor to two previous ones, brought on a little farther in time. Arranged in seven chapters, each volume offers information about geography, history, economy, politics and religion, people and communities, and foreign relations. In Libya students will learn that this oil-rich region is made up of a narrow fertile Mediterranean coast and a large expanse of desert, which includes oases and mountains. Main cities are Benghazi and Libya's capital, Tripoli. A section relating history details the many empires that have ruled Libya—ancient Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Islamic Arabs, and Italians. A chapter entitled "The People" adds the only information about women and the only picture of women (food for thought by female readers). For forty years this ostensibly socialist nation has been dominated by erratic, unpredictable Muammar Qaddafi, shown in his many ornate and colorful costumes. His involvement in international terrorism long made him an enemy of the West, though admired by some Arab states. In foreign relations, Qaddafi apologized (in 2003) for the bombing of the American plane blown up over Lockerbie, Scotland, and normalized relations with the United States, which in 2004 rescinded Libya's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism. A mellower Qaddafi has lately become chairman of the African Union. (Each volume contains more detailed information than many teens may be prepared to digest.) Note: The Foreign Policy Research Institute is a conservative think tank, whose president has contributed an introduction to the series. 2010, Mason Crest, Ages 12 up, $25.95. Reviewer: Barbara L. Talcroft (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-1-4222-1388-9
ISBN: 978-1-4222-1418-3
The Man Who Flies with Birds
Carole G. Vogel and Yossi Leshem
Yossi Leshem is on mission to protect birds and promote peace in the Middle East and he silently soars though the sky working toward both goals. A world famous ornithologist, Leshem has established that the sky over the Middle East serves as a main migratory route for over 500 million birds each year. His research has identified major airways that become so crowded with birds at certain times of year that it is unsafe for planes to fly. His work has led to international agreements and flight regulations that have cut bird strikes on planes by seventy-six percent--saving the lives of people and birds. Since birds know no boundaries and have no awareness of the political divisions in the territories they fly over, Leshem thought it appropriate to develop research and educational programs that involve many countries along the major migratory paths. He and his colleagues have teamed with eco-tourism leaders to set up bird watching programs and centers with the hope of inspiring, in others, Leshem's own dream of safe guarding birds around the world. Magnificent photos complement the rich text and short boxed highlights add related content to the main story. The story celebrates both the work of Yossi Leshem and inspires consideration of the relationship between humans and the natural world. 2009, Kar-Ben Publishing, $18.95. Ages 9 to 12. Reviewer: Cindy K. Schofield (Children's Literature).
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
Sydney Taylor Book Awards, 2010 Notable Book Older Readers United States
ISBN: 9780822576433
ISBN: 0822576430
Mesopotamia and the Bible Lands
Neil Morris
Find out more about the empires and peoples of the Near and Middle East, from the Sumerians, Babylonians, and Persians to the Hebrews, Phoenicians, and Philistines. Discover the Mesopotamian region and some of the most important inventions that came from there, including wheeled carts, writing, and metalwork. Then there is Babylonia and one of its greatest rulers, Hammurabi, known for his Code of Laws. Learn about war chariots and the clash between the Hittites and Egyptians, war machines of the Assyrians, and the Phoenicians as masters of the sea as well as art forms and language. Information about Persians, Israelites, the Queen of Sheba, and Roman Judaea brings the look at Bible lands to a close. This look at Mesopotamian societies fits beautifully into the timeline of the "History of the World" series, following the same style as the other books. The books in the series feature wide two-page spreads on each topic, laid out with vivid illustrations of both authentic pieces of work as well of maps and replicated items. There are also incredible diagrams that are labeled and often complete with captions to give more information. One of the most utile aspects of each page is a blackened sidebar with an overview of dates or other pertinent information. These are invaluable as a quick reference because the pages are rather busy, being so full of detail. Another really great feature can be found on the Contents/Introduction pages: a timeline that has a separate band for each group of peoples discussed in the set of years covered in the book. This serves as a great comparison for events happening simultaneously in each culture. 2009, Zak Books/McRae Books, $34.25. Ages 12 up. Reviewer: K. Meghan Robertson (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9788860981578
ISBN: 8860981573
One City, Two Brothers: The Story of Jerusalem
Christ Smith
Illustrated by Aurelia Fronty
To settle an argument between two brothers, King Solomon tells a story of brothers and the origin of the city of Jerusalem. Every year two brothers together plow, plant, and harvest the fields and divide the grain and straw. One year of good harvest, the older brother, married with a family, worries that his younger brother has nobody, so that night he takes three sacks of grain over to his brother, but the next morning, all his sacks are still there. This happens again on the second night, because the younger brother, thinking about his brother's large family, has taken three of his sacks to him. The brothers meet on the third night and realize how they care for each other. The spot where they meet becomes the site of the holy temple. Acrylic paints create double-page scenes of the landscape and the town in simple, stylized fashion, quietly peaceful and devoid of other people. The fields, the ribbon of road between the hills, the borders of text pages, all have an almost quilt-like appearance. The story plays out like a game with movable characters on a map-like board. The morality of Solomon's parable is clear. Extensive notes fill in information about the history of Jerusalem, with an added note for Muslim readers. 2007, Barefoot Books, $16.99. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewer: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature).
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
Middle East Book Awards, 2007 Winner Picture Book United States
Nautilus Book Award, 2008 Silver Children's Illustrated United States
Skipping Stones Honor Awards, 2008 Winner Multicultural & International Awareness United States
ISBN: 9781846860423
The Palestinians
Anna Carew-Miller
Billed as "Updated and Revised," this "Major Muslim Nations" series is a successor to two previous ones, brought on a little further in time. Arranged in seven chapters, each volume offers information about geography, history, economy, politics and religion, people and communities, and foreign relations. In The Palestinians, students will learn why the Palestinian people, who have never had a state of their own, are so important to the future of the Middle East. At the moment their hopes are centered on two parcels of land: the Gaza Strip and the West Bank of the Jordan River. A forty-page section relating history attempts to sort out the troubled, often violent, history of the Palestinians' relationship to Israel, from Jewish immigration in the early twentieth century to the three-week Israeli invasion of Gaza in 2009. Though their religions differ, both peoples have ancient roots in the region (not called Palestine till Roman times). The author, while maintaining objectivity, succeeds in making this history intelligible, delineating antipathies, describing the violence that developed, and identifying the many agents who have tried to bring about a solution. Neither Israeli nor Palestinian leaders—to say nothing of Americans, Europeans, the UN, or other Muslim states—have been able to overcome deep mutual distrust or induce any concessions. This volume would make an excellent basis for discussion of a hopelessly tangled, often tragic, situation. Note: The Foreign Policy Research Institute is a conservative think tank, whose president has contributed an introduction to the series. 2010, Mason Crest, Ages 12 up, $25.95. Reviewer: Barbara L. Talcroft (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-1-4222-1389-6
ISBN: 978-1-4222-1419-0
Queen Rania of Jordan
Mary Englar
Rania Al-Yassim never thought she would one day become queen of Jordan. Even after marrying Jordan's Prince Abdullah, Rania, daughter of a doctor and a homemaker from Kuwait City, became the youngest queen in the world on June 9, 1999, at the age of 28. After first meeting Prince Abdullah at a party in January 1993, she wondered if the prince would ever consider marrying a commoner. Four months later, Rania and the prince were married at Amman's royal palace where hundreds of guests joined them. Rania gave soon gave birth to four children and became involved in charities to improve the education of the people in Jordan. After Prince Abdullah's father, the beloved King Hussein, died of cancer in 1999, Rania and Abdullah were crowned king and queen of Jordan. Rania now had a whole new set of royal duties to perform. She soon learned to balance her family and the demands of a queen. Since becoming queen of Jordan, Rania has dedicated her time to improving the lives of young women and girls through education. She has also become a strong advocate for realizing peace in the Middle East. Rania founded the Jordan River Foundation, which helps rural women make and sell crafts--a way to lift their families out of poverty. Portraying Queen Rania as a fashionable, sensible and modern queen, this book is sure to delight all who read it and learn her story through the intriguing photographs that command every page. 2009, Capstone Press, $25.26. Ages 7 to 12. Reviewer: Melissa Stickles (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9781429619592
ISBN: 1429619597
The Sandwich Swap
Her Majesty Queen Rania with Kelly DiPucchio
Illustrated by Tricia Tusa
Although Salma and Lily are best friends in school, and do everything together, their lunches are very different. Lily secretly thinks that Salma's hummus and pita sandwiches are yucky, while Salma thinks that Lily's peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are gross. One day, when they finally tell each other how they feel, they stop doing everything together. Other students begin to take sides, insulting each other, until there is a terrible food fight. Ashamed, at lunch the next day the girls bravely agree to try each other's sandwich. Finding them "delicious" and "heavenly," they meet with the principal to plan a special event, celebrated in a final foldout. Tusa's colored drawings clearly define the appealing characters of the two girls as they dominate most of the double-page scenes. The other children are supporting actors in the drama as they add insults to fuel the wild food fight. They also join in the final international buffet, with flags identifying the spreads on the table. A note from Her Majesty supplies the personal experience that is the basis of the story, along with the hope for understanding and the tolerance of foreign or strange experiences. 2010, Disney Hyperion Books/Disney Book Group, $16.99. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewer: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9781423124849
ISBN: 1423124847
Saving Sky
Diane Stanley
In a terrifying near-future the terror of which lies precisely in its nearness, Diane Stanley (see Bella at Midnight) has created a middle grade novel of friendship and courage. Thirteen-year-old Sky lives a protected life with her sister and their loving parents, on sixty off-the-grid acres of northern New Mexico high desert. This idyllic existence is disrupted by a series of terrorist attacks against the United States, targeting oil and natural gas installations and the power grid. The nature and details of the attacks remain secondary to their impact upon this small community. The focus is on something equally deadly arising from within—prejudice and hatred toward those with "foreign" names and appearance. Kareem Khalid, Sky's classmate, becomes the target of Homeland Security, when his father and cousin are arrested. The agents are now after Kareem. What is chilling is that in this alternate future, the United States government is rounding up people of Middle Eastern descent and sending them to internment camps. Stanley renders this scenario credible with surprisingly few, subtle narrative strokes. The story's swift turns open the reader's heart and mind at the same time as they shock the character into questioning hers. Stanley's choice of viewpoint is perfect, a third person perspective that stays close to Sky's consciousness. At the same time the details of school and community resonate deeply with a sense of place, a believable New Mexico that is deeply aware of its traditions and its own checkered past. It is clear that Stanley writes of it with knowledge and affection. A complex, layered novel that also manages to work as a suspenseful adventure tale. 2010, HarperCollins, Ages 10 up, $15.99. Reviewer: Uma Krishnaswami (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-06-123905-2
Saving the Baghdad Zoo: A True Story of Hope and Heroes
Kelly Milner Halls and William Sumner
Major Sumner, a civil affairs officer, was called to Iraq in 2003. He had trained as an archaeologist and was going to work closely with the Iraqis in resurrecting a suppressed heritage, but one particular commander had something different in mind. He asked Major Sumner to look at a small local zoo that, in fact, turned out to be one of the largest in the Middle East. Tigers, lions, hyenas, and several other species were on the verge of death, thanks to the effects of war and looting. Some cages were empty; many other animals had succumbed to starvation. The soldiers making up the 3rd Infantry Division attempted to care for these creatures to the best of their abilities, but the animals desperately needed medical attention and food. This narrative provides an amazing account of the selfless acts committed by a group of dedicated soldiers, doctors, and volunteers. Readers will be fascinated with the story of Saedia, a thirty-two-year-old brown bear, whose blindness prevented her from escaping the unspeakable conditions, and Lumpy, a one-humped camel who was suffering from starvation and dehydration. The heroic acts of these people offer hope in the midst of death and destruction. The photographs not only capture the real-life horror of the animals and their dismal environment, but they also portray the peace that later surrounded each one. This book would complement the elementary social studies, animal and language arts units. It is truly a worthwhile read. 2010, Greenwillow Books/HarperCollins Publishers, $17.99. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer: Summer Whiting (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780061772023
ISBN: 9780061772009
Seven Wonders of the Ancient Middle East
Michael Woods and Mary B. Woods
This "Seven Wonders" series presents the ancient world from an unusual perspective to aspiring archeologists and history lovers who may not yet be aware of these ancient marvels. Big illustrations, well reproduced and carefully captioned, let kids see the monuments as viewed in different periods and depicted in various styles; site maps help locate them, while readable text answers questions that spring to mind about each. This volume introduces seven wonders of the ancient Middle East (five of them World Heritage Sites), all of which can still be visited, except for those in Iraq. First, readers explore the Great Ziggurat at Ur in Mesopotamia. Then come other fabulous structures like the city of Nineveh and Ashurbanipal's library, the city and palace of Persepolis in Iran, King Solomon's Temple--destroyed, but still the site of the Western Wall and the Dome of the Rock--the red rock buildings of Petra, Hagia Sophia in Istanbul and the Krak des Chevaliers, an impregnable crusader castle in Syria. Sidebars explain unfamiliar words and point out connections; for example, modern architects still build in the style of the Ziggurat. Especially striking in this book is a color photo of artifacts from Ur, including a fluted gold cup; a necklace of gold, lapis and carnelian; and the fanciful sculpture of a ram in a golden thicket. For readers just discovering the lure of history and archeology, this intriguing series brings the ancient world to life and might even inspire a lifetime of research. 2009, Picture Window, $33.26. Ages 9 up. Reviewer: Barbara L. Talcroft (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780822575733
ISBN: 0822575736
Syria
Anne Marie Sullivan
Billed as "Updated and Revised," this "Major Muslim Nations" series is a successor to two previous ones, brought on a little further in time. Arranged in seven chapters, each volume offers information about geography, history, economy, politics and religion, people and communities, and foreign relations. In Syria students will learn that this ancient region, a modern state since 1923, is made up of seacoast, mountains, steppe, and desert with several rivers, including the Euphrates; main cities are ancient Aleppo and Syria's capital, Damascus. A thirty-four-page section on history details the many empires that have ruled Syria—ancient Semites, Romans (who brought Christianity), and eventually Islamic Arabs. In 1516, Syria became a part of the Ottoman Empire until World War I, when modern Syria was created and ruled by France, gaining its independence after World War II. (This will be a difficult chapter for many students to untangle.) Chapters featuring people or communities add the only information about women or, indeed, any pictures of women. In foreign relations, Syria has been fiercely hostile to Israel, and has continuing disagreements with Turkey, Iran, and Lebanon; the author states that the United States regards Syria mainly as a sponsor of terrorism. (Each volume contains more detailed information than many teens may be prepared to digest.) Unfortunately, the awkward writing style and dark, muddy photos don't add to the book's appeal. Note: The Foreign Policy Research Institute is a conservative think tank, whose president has contributed an introduction to the series. 2010, Mason Crest, Ages 12 up, $25.95. Reviewer: Barbara L. Talcroft (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-1-4222-1382-7
ISBN: 978-1-4222-1412-1
Tasting the Sky: A Palestinian Childhood
Ibtisam Barakat
The conflict between Israelis and Palestinians has now spanned nearly six decades. In that time, both nations have become increasingly entrenched in conflicting perspectives that seem to lead to nothing but more suffering. While the day-to-day political realities of this ongoing conflict splash themselves across the pages and airwaves of international media the direct impact these events have on individuals is sometimes lost. In Ibtisam Barakat's autobiography, these personal happenings play out for readers to see and ponder. In this touching book, the author starts her tale when she is only six years old. At that time, the 1967 Six Days War has just begun and Ibtisam and her family are forced to flee from oncoming Israeli soldiers. Over the course of this personal story readers see the effects that war has on children caught in its path. The Barakat family loses their home, family solidarity, and all the safety they once knew. Over time, Ibtisam and her family reestablish their lives but in such a manner that it will never be the same as the existence they had once known and trusted. This is a powerful book and one that sheds light on life in a place and time that continues to plague not only the residents of these war torn region, but also the world at large. 2007, Farrar Straus and Giroux, $16.00. Ages 12 up. Reviewer: Greg M. Romaneck (Children's Literature).
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
Cybils, 2007 Winner Non-fiction (Middle Grade and Young Adult) United States
IRA Children's and Young Adult's Book Award, 2008 Winner Young Adult-Nonfiction United States
Middle East Book Awards, 2007 Winner Youth Literature United States
Skipping Stones Honor Awards, 2008 Winner Multicultural & International Awareness United States
ISBN: 9780374357337
ISBN: 0374357331
Teens in Pakistan
J.M. Bedell
Growing up in today's world can be rewarding and difficult at the same time. This is true no matter who you are or where you live, but for some teenagers in the county of Pakistan, life is filled with long hours of working. Pakistan is a country in the Middle East sandwiched between Iran, Afghanistan, China, India, and the Indian Ocean. Of the 172 million people who live in Pakistan, half are under the age of eighteen. Where a teenager lives and how much money their family has greatly determines the opportunities a young person has. Teenagers living in the capital city of Islamabad and other urban centers are much more likely to attend school. Those living in rural areas such as the North-West Frontier and the Balochistan provinces are much more likely to work with their families on small farms or in factories. Many of the teens that live in cities attend private schools and learn English, math, and chemistry. Many girls, no matter where they live, are not given the opportunity to go to school. Traditionally, families in Pakistan did not believe a girl needed an education. Girls were expected to work in the home helping their mothers, and then as wives in the husbands' home. Things and ideas have changed in Pakistan and more and more girls are going to school. Teens in Pakistan are like teenagers everywhere; they love being with their friends and playing sports, but many have limited time to do these things because they are girls and have family duties to handle, or they are working. Teens from this country are engaged in the world around them and want the best for their country in the future. 2009, Compass Point Books, $33.26. Ages 13 to 18. Reviewer: Laura J. Brown (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780756540432
ISBN: 0756540437
Three Wishes: Palestinian and Israeli Children Speak
Deborah Ellis
The author who brought us riveting fiction from the Near and Middle East, like The Breadwinner and Parvana's Journey, now talks to real children, Palestinian and Israeli. Each chapter features a different child from pre-teen to 18; each chapter opens with a few paragraphs of history or explanation. At the beginning, there are six pages of single-spaced names: 429 children under the age of 18 who have died from September 2000 to March 2003. The names are the stark reality behind the statistic Ellis cites that 15% of all casualties were civilians in World War I; up to 50% in World War II; in 2004, 90% of casualties in war are civilians. The depth of anger and hatred in people so young is frightening, but there are also young people who realize "both sides have to give up a little. No one will win completely." The similarity of fears on all sides is striking. Fear becomes anger which becomes ugly in actions like suicide bombings, demeaning checkpoints and newly built walls. One Palestinian girl talks of watching Israeli soldiers demolish her home three times and each time, Israeli volunteers help to rebuild it. Children from both sides talk about how their mothers worry for their safety and the apparent arbitrariness of the killings by the other side. There is a wealth of very personal, readable material that will generate thought-provoking discussion and even allow readers to debate each other by taking on the persona of the young people in the book. The book includes a short bibliography and a list of organizations working to promote peace or help children traumatized by war. 2004, Groundwood Books, $16.95. Ages 10 up. Reviewer: Karen Leggett (Children's Literature).
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
Information Book Award, 2005 Finalist Canada
ISBN: 9780888996084
ISBN: 9780888995544
The Travels of Benjamin of Tudela: Through Three Continents in the Twelfth Century
Uri Shulevitz
The world of 1159, when the medieval Jewish traveler set out on his fourteen-year journey from Tudela in northern Spain, was a dark and dangerous one. Shulevitz has us share the adventure as Benjamin might have related it to his friends, who had thought he would never return. A map shows his route around much of the Mediterranean's shores, with a detour up to the Caspian Sea. Traveling by ship, caravan, river boat, he endures many hardships as he visits the important sites of his time--including Rome, Constantinople, Jerusalem, and Mount Sinai. Benjamin vividly describes each place and its inhabitants, including the legends and tales he is told there, organized by topic on double pages which combine text with detailed paintings. Shulevitz periodically adds additional factual information in sidebars as well. There is a richness to his combination of scratchboard-like architectural renderings and strong colors that is intensely emotional. Historical cities are replete with buildings and monuments, city walls, and diversely-costumed people. The visual experience adds significantly to the intriguing narrative of distant times and places. The author notes his sources, with an extensive bibliography, and clearly states how he has added to or altered Benjamin's own story. 2005, Farrar Straus Giroux, $17.00. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature).
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
Middle East Book Awards, 2005 Honorable Mention Picture Book United States
National Jewish Book Awards, 2005 Winner Illustrated Children's Book United States
Parents' Choice Award, 2005 Recommended Non-Fiction United States
Sydney Taylor Book Awards, 2006 Honor Book Older Readers United States
ISBN: 9780374377540
ISBN: 0374377545
United Arab Emirates
Lisa McCoy
Billed as "Updated and Revised," this "Major Muslim Nations" series is a successor to two previous ones, brought on a little further in time. Arranged in seven chapters, each volume offers information about geography, history, economy, politics and religion, people and communities, and foreign relations. Students will learn that the United Arab Emirates (the UAE) is a federation of seven small states, the largest of which is Abu Dhabi. McCoy makes the region sound like a theme park of capitalism—since 1962, when oil exports began, the emirates have been busy building shopping malls, huge hotels, skyscrapers, airports, and highways. The government of Dubai, with its tax-free zone for unregulated business ventures, has reaped millions of dollars. With its considerable oil and gas reserves and its strategic position on the Arabian Gulf, the UAE is indeed in a position of power. Though the author claims that this nation is regarded as more liberal than some Arab states, readers will observe that all decisions are ultimately made by the emirs, especially of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Some slight progress has been made in women's rights, illustrated by a photo of female police officers wearing uniform headscarves. To their credit, several emirates are concentrating on conservation of wildlife like the rare caracal lynx. Despite the UAE's non-recognition of Israel and its support of the Taliban, the United States has been consistently deferential to this oil-rich nation. Note: The Foreign Policy Research Institute is a conservative think tank, whose president has contributed an introduction to the series. 2010, Mason Crest, Ages 12 up, $25.95. Reviewer: Barbara L. Talcroft (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-1-4222-1390-2
ISBN: 978-1-4222-1420-6
Unsettled: The Problem of Loving Israel
Marc Aronson
As an American Jew with family whom he often visits in Israel, Aronson writes a history of the country to provide young adults or older readers a unique perspective and personal insights into the "unsettling" relationship in this part of the Middle East. Beginning with the Foreword, he draws parallels between the histories of the United States and Israel. Using "you" and "I" to personalize his writing, he knits together the country's complicated history by answering the question, "Why does everyone hate Israel?" In doing so, he asks many more questions than he answers as he leads the reader to an understanding of the complexity of Middle Eastern events and why they are so. Aronson's writing is brilliant. Often using events more familiar to the U.S. reader than those half a world away, he pulls isolated facts and information together under an umbrella that makes a summary point. For example, he concludes that Jewish migration illustrates "a fundamental difference between Israeli Jews and American Jews." The former "find strength by being in their own nation" and the latter by competing "as equals with everyone else" in a country with a wide mix of other nationalities. Aronson is a humanist who is clearly saddened by the jingoism of the people of any country and by intolerance of others. He creates a well-resourced and well-referenced book that could serve as a core title for a history class; it not only fits high school curriculum, but it is also readable and offers material for meaty discussions. No school or public library should be without a copy in its collection. 2008, Atheneum/Simon & Schuster, $18.99. Ages 12 up. Reviewer: Mary Bowman-Kruhm, Ed.D. (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9781416912613
ISBN: 1416912614
Wanting Mor
Rukhsana Khan
This is a poignant story about what happens to a young girl named Jameela after her mother dies. The rituals of death that took place in 2001 in Afghanistan are well portrayed and pull the reader into the lives of the people living there at that time. I enjoyed the fact that the story is told from the first person and felt like I was being read to. Jameela's father remarries a woman who does not like Jameela. Eventually her stepmother tells her husband that the child must go and never come back. After much thought, Jameela's father takes her to a crossroad in the village and tells her he will return but never does. After two days with no food, a butcher befriends her and takes her to his home where his wife helps her. Eventually Jameela is placed in an orphanage where her life undergoes major changes. The author writes in such a way that the reader wants to keep reading; I finished this in one sitting because I couldn't put it down. It is written with great insight and combines "matter of fact" suffering with hope, kindness, and compassion. The author even includes a dictionary of unfamiliar Afghanistan words used throughout the book. I am not often as moved as I was when reading this book. I highly recommend it and hope that readers will share it with friends. 2009, Groundwood Books/House of Anansi Press, $17.95 and $12.95. Ages 12 up. Reviewer: Kathie M. Josephs (Children's Literature).
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
Middle East Book Awards, 2009 Winner Youth Literature United States
ISBN: 9780888998583
ISBN: 9780888998620
For Middle East book reviews from 2003, click here.
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Updated 7/27/2010
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If you're interested in reviewing children's and young adult books, then send a resume and writing sample to marilyn@childrenslit.com.