The Different Faces of Islam September 11 - Talked About and Understood America the Beautiful Coping with Grief and Loss The Greatest City Learning About Fire Rescue and Other Emergencies Reviews 19 Varieties Of Gazelle: Poems Of The Middle East Naomi Shihab Nye    In between the silly poetry of childhood (Mother Goose, Shel Silverstein) and the swirling, metaphoric, sometimes pretentious poetry of adulthood is the gray area of adolescence, when much of the reading done is required for school, and poetry is rarely touched. Many teachers often ask, "How can we make poetry a relevant medium for teenagers?" Naomi Shihab Nye may have the answer with her book of poetry from the Middle East. Teenagers are more interested in current events now than they have been since the Gulf War. This is poetry they can be interested in. The book starts with a tribute poem and an intro concerning the events of September 11. The Gulf War is mentioned explicitly once. The rest of the poems (60 in all) deal with the humanity of Arabs and their daily joys and struggles, so a new generation of readers can learn to appreciate this rich and ancient culture from a new perspective. Nye's words will always be slightly ahead of a teenage reader, but the reader will never feel left behind. These are excellent poems to start an even-handed dialogue on the daily struggle in Israel/Palestine. 2002 (orig. 1994), Greenwillow Books, $16.95. Ages 14 up. Reviewer: Carey Ahr ISBN: 0060097655 ISBN: 0060097663 Best Books: Best Books for Young Adults, 2003; American Library Association-YALSA; United States School Library Journal Book Review Stars, May 2002; Cahners; United States Afghanistan Bob Italia Pictures by Corbis    With the citizens of the United States, both young and old, fearful and anxious because of the events of September 11, 2001, this book on Afghanistan could not be more timely or appropriate. Bob Italia has compiled a short but comprehensive book for young readers on Afghanistan and its people. Although the book is only thirty-nine pages in length, it is crammed full of interesting facts, timeless historical information about the country, and excellent photographs. Italia takes the reader through a brief history of the country providing information generally found in an atlas. Then Italia provides photos and information as recent as September 11, 2001. In Italia's chronology of the country, the reader learns not only of the terrorist's attacks on the United States, but also the events following September 11, including the subsequent U.S. bombing of Afghanistan and the efforts of its people to rebuild their war-torn country. This short book is an excellent resource book for both the elementary and middle school classrooms. It presents a thumbnail sketch of Afghanistan. The glossary and Web Site references will enable students to further research and understand this small country. 2002, ABDO Publishing Company, $21.35, Ages 8 to 13. Reviewer: Rita Karr ISBN: 1-57765-653-9 The Beduins' Gazelle Frances Temple    Who can resist a beautifully written romantic adventure story? The exotic, fourteenth century Middle East is the setting for this tale of Halima and Atiyah, cousins who were betrothed at birth. As the time draws near for their wedding, events beyond their control separate them. Power-hungry Uncle Saladeen convinces Atiyah it is his duty to leave the desert and go to the university to study the Koran. Halima is separated from her Beduin tribe during a sandstorm. Her people search in vain and send word to Atiyah that she is presumed dead. Atiyah and his European friend ride into the desert and discover that she had been rescued by an enemy tribe. Worse still, their sheikh plans to marry Halima. The life and culture of the nomadic people is contrasted with that of the university students in the city. Vivid descriptions and poetic language immerse the reader in this tale of intrigue, love, honor, and duty. 1998 (orig. 1996), HarperTrophy, $15.95, $16.99 and $4.95. Ages 12 up. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo ISBN: 0-53109-519-3 ISBN: 0-53108-869-3 ISBN: 0-06440-669-5 Best Books: American Booksellers Pick of the Lists, Spring, 1996; American Booksellers Association; United States Lasting Connections, 1996 ; American Library Association; United States Middle And Junior High School Library Catalog, Eighth Edition, 2000 ; H.W. Wilson; United States Publishers Weekly Book Review Stars, March 1996 ; Cahners; United States School Library Journal Book Review Stars, April 1996 ; Cahners; United States The Breadwinner Deborah Ellis    Looking into a culture from the outside is a daunting task, difficult to accomplish without betraying the author's own conscious or unconscious sense of apprehension or wonder, curiosity or dismay. This is doubly challenging when the setting concerned is as complex and ridden with controversy as war-ravaged, internationally isolated Afghanistan. Eleven-year-old Parvana has the makings of a compelling protagonist, yet there are times when her world view seems more akin to that of her young American readers than to an Afghani girl's. The story moves along competently, the plot is tidily resolved, yet many questions present themselves. Where is Islamic practice in the lives of these people? No mosques, no calls to prayer, no religious observances? The shariah, Muslim law so severely interpreted and applied by the Taliban, isn't mentioned once, not even in the glossary. This reviewer sensed in the narration a self-consciousness about both subject and audience, that got in the way of what might have been a rich and textured tale. 2000, Groundwood Books, $15.95 $5.95. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer: Uma Krishnaswami ISBN: 0-88899-419-2 ISBN: 0-88899-416-8 The Breadwinner Deborah Ellis     Based on stories told by Afghan refugees in camps in Pakistan and Russia, The Breadwinner was written before most Americans had heard of the Taliban or knew where to put Afghanistan on a map. There is a map in the front of the book showing now-familiar cities like Kandahar and Mazar-e-Sharif. Parvana is the 11-year-old daughter of well-educated, prosperous parents who have gradually been forced into living in near poverty in a single dark room. When her father is arrested because he was educated overseas, Parvana disguises herself as a boy to be able to go out and earn money for food. She yearns for her "normal, boring life" sitting in a classroom and eating food that someone else has worked for—an element that may generate discussion and appreciation among young American readers. There is danger, adventure and courage in Parvana's story, which depicts every horror we have heard about the Taliban and may make this story too harsh and graphic for some readers. In her job reading and writing letters for illiterate Afghanis, however, Parvana does meet one Talib who sheds a tear for his dead wife. "Could they have feelings of sorrow, like other human beings?" she wondered. Her mother is part of the Afghani underground, writing forbidden magazines, holding forbidden classes for girls, wishing her family had left Afghanistan when it was still possible to do so. The story is easily and quickly read and the writing is adequate; more significantly, Breadwinner opens a dramatic window on human frailty and strength during a frightful period in the history of a country that is now a household word in America. 2001, Groundwood Books, $15.95, Ages 10 to 16. REVIEWER: Karen Leggett ISBN: 0-88899-419-2 ISBN: 0-88899-416-8 Best Books: Amelia Bloomer List, 2002 ; American Library Association-SRRT Awards, Honors, Prizes: Society of School Librarians International Book Awards 2001 United States Caravan Lawrence McKay, Jr. Illustrated by Darryl Ligasan    Replete with visual and tactile imagery (the icy Hindu Kush Mountains, the feel of camel manes) this book takes the reader into remote areas with some of the most breathtaking landscapes on earth. Through the eyes of ten-year-old Jura, we encounter Kirghiz traders in their caravans, in the snow-covered winter-world of northeastern Afghanistan, "where the mountains meet the sky." Ligasan's textured illustrations depict the inside of a yurt, the cupolas of a mosque and the carpets and samovars of a tea house, in addition to the mountains through which the caravan travels, threatened by avalanches and laden with snow. The plot is slender but the locale is fascinating enough that McKay's evocative imagery pulls the reader on. 1995, Lee and Low, $14.95. Ages 6 to 10. Reviewer: Uma Krishnaswami ISBN: 1-880000-23-7 Caravan Lawrence McKay, Jr. Illustrated by Darryl Ligasan    10-year-old Jura joins his father's caravan as they journey with their camels to the regional capital in northeastern Afghanistan to trade their skins and felts for grain. Set against the icy backdrop of the Hindu Kush Mountains, we are transported to an exotic world most of us will know only through books. The warmth of the campfire in a "yurt" [a circular tent], tea poured from a chogun [a small teapot], seeing mosques dominating the capital's architecture, the traders sharing stories of their travels, and the arduous return trip are some of the indelible images in this fascinating book. 1995, Lee & Low Books, $14.95. Ages 6 to 9. Reviewer: Jan Lieberman ISBN: 1-880000-23-7 Celebrating Ramadan = Ramadan Al-Mu'azzam Diane Hoyt-Goldsmith Photographs by Lawrence Migdale     The month of Ramadan is one of the most important Islamic celebrations. During Ramadan, devout Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset. Children are not required to fast but parents are encouraged to have them try. Through text and photographs, Hoyt-Goldsmith and Migdale introduce the reader to Ibraheem, a fourth grade student and his New Jersey family as they participate in Ramadan. The book provides historical background of Islam, its founder, Muhammad, its holy days and many of the rituals of Islam. The glossary, index, maps and pronunciation add to the usefulness of this well-done, timely book. It is one that should be included in world-religion collections in elementary schools and public library children's collections. 2001, Holiday House, $16.95. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer: J. B. Petty ISBN: 0823415813 Celebrating Ramadan = Ramadan Al-Mu'azzam Diane Hoyt-Goldsmith Photographs by Lawrence Migdale    The Muslim holy month of Ramadan is a time of fasting and reflection. It begins with the sighting of the new moon, and because of the Islamic lunar calendar, gradually rotates through all of the seasons. It concludes with a three-day feast called Eid al Fitr, a welcome celebration after a month of total fasting from sunrise to sunset everyday. Muslims fast "to show obedience to God's commands...and share the experience of those who are poor." Even a young boy like Ibraheem, a fourth grader in Princeton, New Jersey, knows what it is like to fast. His family's celebration of Ramadan and Eid is beautifully photographed and explained in this book. Many of the scenes look strikingly American—boys playing basketball, children making holiday cookies and wrapping presents, youngsters escaping to their computer games during family celebrations. Other photos are not yet as familiar to most of us—women wearing the traditional hijab or head covering, Ibraheem at prayer facing Mecca or kneeling on the floor, and verses in Arabic from the Koran. "Ibraheem and his family have challenged themselves to live according to God's command. However, since they live in the United States, they are in a minority. Sometimes their ways are misunderstood by others." Celebrating Ramadan is an excellent bridge to begin understanding this fastest growing religion in the United States. 2001, Holiday House, $16.95. Ages 8 up. Reviewer: Karen Leggett ISBN: 0823415813 Best Books: Capitol Choices, 2001 ; The Capitol Choices Committee; United States Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, Supplement, 2002 ; H.W. Wilson; United States Notable Books for Children, 2002 ; American Library Association-ALSC; United States The Flag of Childhood Selected by Naomi Shihab Nye    Originally published in 1998, this collection of 60 poems from the Middle East demonstrates that despite cultural and religious differences, young people are basically the same no matter where they're from. The poems range from descriptions of commonplace occurrences, such as getting class pictures taken and sunsets, to heart-breaking images of war and its aftermath. The language used is simple and lyrical, and creates a sense of joy—even though some of the stories it tells are sad. A new introduction by Naomi Shihab Nye, written after the tragedies of September 11, 2001, implores readers to learn all they can about each other's lives, for this is one way to achieve lasting peace and understanding. In a world where so much is uncertain, the thoughts and feelings shared in these poems will be reassuring. 2002 (orig. 1998), Aladdin/Simon & Schuster, $3.99. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer: Joanne Draper ISBN: 0-689-85172-3 Islam Neil Morris    Muslims make up almost a fifth of the world's population and a growing percentage of the American population. This book, in a series that includes Judaism, Christianity and Buddhism, would be a valuable addition to a school library or classroom. Short, highlighted paragraphs fill each page, surrounded in full color by elaborate illustrations—photographs, maps, artwork, crafts, and Arabic calligraphy. Although the text notes the Islamic restriction on painting or drawing people, there is a page of Turkish miniatures showing the life of Mohammed which many Muslims will criticize and may even find offensive. The wealth of information is presented in easily digested bites, although the pages jump rather randomly among history, faith, and culture. Women are shown in full conservative covering but also with fashionable yet modest head scarves as they hold professional positions in many Muslim countries. Historical sections cover the spread of Islam through Arabia and Asia, to the rich contributions of Islamic culture to art and science to current Muslim history in Bosnia, Palestine and Afghanistan. There is a short glossary and index, but no bibliography and no acknowledgement to any Islamic authority or expert who might have reviewed the text. 2001, McGraw-Hill Children's Publishing, $16.95. Ages 10 up. Reviewer: Karen Leggett ISBN: 0872266931 Muslim Child: Understanding Islam Through Stories and Poems Rukhsana Khan Illustrated by Patty Gallinger Sidebars by Irfan Alli    Many young children can identify with the trauma of being lost from their parents at a shopping mall or in a park and that is the point of empathy for Rukhsana Khan's story about the Muslim pilgrimage, or hajj, to Mecca. Mecca is crowded with hundreds of thousands of people. A little American boy tells the story of being lost in the midst of the throng and the kindly old man who helps him find his parents. Along the way, young readers learn about this important obligation of the Muslim faith. Congenial, touching, and even humorous stories describe Islamic beliefs as they are practiced by children in America, accompanied by definitions or explanations in the margins. There are several poems, a few short readings from the Quran, a craft and a recipe, as well as a guide to Arabic pronunciation and a timeline for the life of Mohammed. Soft black and white sketches illustrate the text. The stories are very accessible for Muslim and non-Muslim children, read aloud or independently. Several of the stories would be appropriate for school use as an introduction to cultural and ethnic diversity, including one about the difficulty of avoiding pork products as a Muslim in America and another about a Muslim child and his non-Muslim friend who come to understand and accept a mother who dresses head-to-toe in a flowing black robe. "A big black ghost!" said Danny; until the "big black ghost" climbed a tree to rescue Danny when he had climbed too high and pulled a lollipop from the pocket of her black dress. 2002 (orig. 1999), Albert Whitman, $14.95. Ages 7 to 12. Reviewer: Karen Leggett ISBN: 0807553077 Muslim Child: Understanding Islam Through Stories and Poems Rukhsana Khan Illustrated by Patty Gallinger Sidebars by Irfan Alli    A window opens on the Muslim world through a child's eyes as one reads the varied stories and poems comprising this book. We learn that, more than a religion, Islam is a way of life for Muslims, who gain peace and status among their people by observing strict rules and rituals in their daily lives. Yet these very processes leave them open to misunderstanding by others who are unaware of their significance. Is that really a black ghost, or could it be simply a child's mother who dresses in black cape and head covering? Is it okay to pretend to complete the complicated washing before prayers five times a day, or may one pray even if not quite perfect in washing? Might one be excused for eating something containing forbidden pork products if one has already bought it and is really hungry? The book presents a sympathetic picture of children stretching to embrace the ways of their religion while fitting into modern life in many countries. This reviewer found the constant refrain of "peace be upon him" following every mention of any of the prophets (including Moses, Abraham, Jesus and Mohammed, among others) rather disconcerting, however, since this book is intended for general audiences rather than Muslim religious instruction. But the sidebars on nearly page, as well as materials following chapters and at the back of the book, provide excellent information while stressing the ties between Judaism, Christianity and Islam and their universal desire for peace. Includes appealing black-and-white illustrations throughout and a pronunciation and script guide. Sidebars by Irfan Alli 2002 (orig. 1999), Whitman, $14.95. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer: Judy Chernak (Children's Literature) ISBN: 0807553077 Muhammad of Mecca: Prophet of Islam Ella Marston    Now that Islam is the fastest growing religion in America, library shelves need books that introduce students to this faith and its prophet Muhammad. Muhammad was born in Mecca, Saudi Arabia in 570 A.D. He was a trader with a wife and family when God (Allah in Arabic) revealed to him the words of the Islamic holy book, the Koran, changing his life forever. Persecuted by the existing authorities in Mecca, Muhammad fled to the town now called Medina, where he built the first Islamic community. The Muslim calendar is timed from this flight, or hijirah. The pilgrimage that is a duty for each devout Muslim includes a re-creation of this flight between Mecca and Medina. Ella Marston discusses the difference between fact and legend about historical and religious figures like Muhammad. Islam specifically forbids worshipping any human, including Muhammad. It was Muhammad's mission, in fact, to bring people back to the worship of one God and away from paganism. Muhammad built on both Arab and Jewish traditions to make Islam more familiar and appealing to potential followers. This biography also includes many pages of battle strategy, as Muhammad fought to keep and expand Islamic territory. Marston concludes with a brief look at the leadership disputes that followed Muhammad's death, resulting in the split between Shi'ite and Sunni sects of Islam. Part of a "Book Report Biography" series that focuses on people who have changed their own cultures and the world, including Jesus, Michelangelo, Confucius and W.E.B. DuBois. 2001, Grolier Publishing, $22.00 and $3.99. Ages 9 to 14. Reviewer: Karen Leggett ISBN: 0-531-20386-7 ISBN: 0-531-15554-4 Osama Bin Laden: A War Against the West Elaine Landau    The author was putting the finishing touches on this biography when the events of September 11 occurred, necessitating last minute additions and revisions. The opening chapter describes the horror of the attacks on the United States, and introduces us to the man most people feel is responsible for those and other acts of terrorism. Though much of Osama bin Laden's history is secretive and riddled with propaganda, the author manages to draw a realistic portrait of the man. Bin Laden's rise to power is chronicled, from his birth as one of at least 52 children of a Saudi billionaire, to his brave fighting in Afghanistan against the Soviet Union, to his increasing prominence in the Islamic Fundamentalist movement and the founding of the al-Queda terrorist network. The author explains how many people in oppressed nations have felt inspired by bin Laden's wealth, charisma and organizational and leadership skills. Rare black-and-white photographs augment this well-researched biography, which also includes source notes, a glossary and index. The reader realizes the frightening reality of the probability that even if bin Laden is captured or killed, his popularity will likely increase. 2002, Twenty-First Century Books, $23.90. Ages 12 up. Reviewer: Christopher Moning ISBN: 0761317090 Shabanu: Daughter of the Wind    Suzanne Fisher Staples There are few who have helped to open a better understanding of women in another culture like Suzanne Staples, who won a 1990 Newbery Honor Medal for Shabanu. Staples, for years a foreign correspondent and news desk editor, has begun a new career as a young adult novelist. Shabanu was born out of Suzanne's own surprise at the life she found while working in Pakistan. "I try to remember about what I thought of Pakistan before I went there. It's an artificial country created when the British were cutting India free, and you don't expect it to have such a rich culture." For Staples, the most precious treasures she found in Pakistan were the stories of the people she met, particularly the women. In the Cholistan desert, she met an eleven-year-old girl, orphaned, intelligent, independent, and confident. She became the inspiration for her heroine Shabanu. There is a study guide available from Learning Links. 1989, Knopf, $18.00, $18.99, and $4.99. Ages 12 up. Reviewer: Susie Wilde Best Books: Adventuring with Books: A Booklist for Pre-K-Grade 6, Tenth Edition, 1993; National Council of Teachers of English; United States Best of the Best Revisited (100 Best Books for Teens), 2001; American Library Association-YALSA; United States Middle And Junior High School Library Catalog, Eighth Edition, 2000; H.W. Wilson; United States Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults, 1997; American Library Association-YALSA; United States Senior High School Library Catalog, Fifteenth Edition, 1997; H.W. Wilson; United States Teachers' Choices, 1990; International Reading Association; United States Young Adults' Choices, 1991; International Reading Association; United States Awards, Honors, Prizes: International Board on Books for Young People IBBY Honor List Winner 1992 Text International Joan G. Sugarman Children's Book Award Winner 1989 United States John Newbery Medal Honor Book 1990 United States ISBN: 0394848152 ISBN: 0394948157 To stay up to date on new books on this topic, consider subscribing to The Children's Literature Comprehensive Database. For your free trial, click here.