Category Archives: History

Sep6

Zaman Kids Series (The Story of Al-Andalus, The Story of the Ottoman Empire, Muslim Heroes & Muslim Heroines for Kids) by’Issa Meyer illustrated by Robi Dalimonte

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Zaman Kids Series (The Story of Al-Andalus, The Story of the Ottoman Empire, Muslim Heroes & Muslim Heroines for Kids) by’Issa Meyer illustrated by Robi Dalimonte

 

These gorgeous Islamic history books aimed at kids middle grade and up, should probably be reviewed individually, but their organization, presentation, and style are similar that even with different content, I’m opting to comment on them collectively.

  • Thick 8.5 x 12 hardback covers and sturdy binding, check!
  • 64 glossary full color illustrated pages, check!
  • Backmatter that includes a map, glossary, and information about Islamic Dynasties, check!
  • Visual appeal and writing style aimed at kids, check!
  • Sourcing and bibliography…….NOPE!

I’m baffled, truly.  These books are made with intention, the Ottoman Empire and Story of Al-Andalus feature information about the times and places being discussed, with a “Did You Know” pullout section, and feature key individuals in the same manner Muslim Heroes and Muslim Heroine books have, with an image of the person, an “ID” card, “Famous Words” along with the text broken up into key sections.  So why is there no sourcing regarding where the information was acquired or some proof that a knowledgeable person has checked the contents.  There is nothing about the author either, providing no reassurance to the reader that the information is coming from someone who is qualified to present it and attest to the accuracy.

Since I am not knowledgeable to give my opinion on the information contained, I will not.  And since I am praising the visual presentation of the books, I will add a criticism that the titles on the bindings read backwards.  I’ve included inside pictures from “The Story of Al-Andalus for Kids” for you to determine your own thoughts on accuracy, presentation, and utility.

 

Sep2

Never Again, For Anyone by Stacy Friedman illustrated by Elly Stern

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Never Again, For Anyone by Stacy Friedman illustrated by Elly Stern

I am not Palestinian and I am not Jewish. I am human with a heart and have known and spoken out from a very early age that the treatment of Palestinians at the hands of Zionists is a genocide, but that does not make me able to decide how to evaluate anything but the literary elements of this book, and I definitely can’t tell Palestinians or Jews how it should be received.  The 40 page picture book is OWN voice by a Jewish author that “supports Palestinian liberation” and is illustrated by an “anti-Zionist Jew from Israel-Palestine.” It is framed as a conversation between a young boy and his mom after school, as they see a Pro Palestinian rally, prepare for Shabbat, recall what Lev’s great grandmother Bubbie experienced during the Holocaust, establish the parallels between that time and the plight of the Palestinians, and decide that “Never Again, for Anyone” means they need to join the movement for a free Palestine.  I like that the reader is taken along the journey from awareness to activism, I think most young readers though, will need some assistance in connecting some of the dots, and some additional understanding about the Holocaust.

I understand the framing is under the famous pledge and the controversy of, if it means never again for anyone or just never again for Jews, but I still struggle to understand why even with the more expansive view, the recognizing of the atrocities happening to Palestinians is built on the fact that because it happened to us, it shouldn’t happen to others.  Why isn’t it enough that we are all human and shouldn’t treat people like this period?  That being said, I don’t pretend to know the societal, religious, cultural and ingrained norms that have to be overcome for a Jewish person to denounce Zionism and openly speak up and speak out on behalf of Palestine.

A common discourse about speaking on Palestine is why do we listen more to non Palestinians than to the Palestinians themselves, and to this I can only offer that I did not take this as trying to take away from that voice, but rather offer why Jews should speak up against Zionism in support of freedom and life.  Am I glad this book exists? Absolutely. Do I pray that the more awareness, the more allies, and the more normative we can make it that the call for a Free Palestine is not against Jews but against Zionism the better, yes, but my opinion is only my own, and my thoughts on this are not those of a Palestinian or a Jew.

Jun19

Eldar & Elnur Story of the Stolen Homes by Guzelya Marisova illustrated by Agia Putri

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Eldar & Elnur Story of the Stolen Homes by Guzelya Marisova illustrated by Agia Putri


The intent of this 22 page book, to increase solidarity and bring awareness about Palestinians being forced from their homes, is admirable; Having the characters at a museum to see a virtual reality exhibit about this, is a unique to way convey the story to the readers. But yikes, the early pages are walls of text, and the positioning of the kids and their families going to the museum is really wordy and hinders readers connecting with the information to come. An editor should have been consulted, and the text condensed and simplified. Once the “Story of the Stolen Homes” begins, the text slowly reduces, and with Islamic teachable moments worked in, the book does leave one satisfied at the end, it just takes some perseverance and encouragement to young children to get there. The book is not OWN voice, as neither the author nor illustrator are Palestinian.

The story starts with the twins and their parents, joined by their cousin from Indonesia, heading to see a virtual reality exhibition on stolen homes in Palestine. They meet their hologram tour guide Reem, and she begins with the first stop of her home, al-Khalil. She talks about Masjid al-Aqsa and asks the kids about the other two holy sites for Muslims. They discuss olives and how the home was stolen.

The next stop is Gaza, where a once beautiful garden is killed when water is stolen, and a well poisoned. The final home stolen, is Reem’s school. The story ends with urging the children, and readers, to always be grateful to Allah swt as Jannah is the home awaiting us all inshaAllah.





Nov17

Muzoon: From Refugee to Leader by Muzoon Almellehan illustrated by Asma Enayeh

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Muzoon: From Refugee to Leader by Muzoon Almellehan illustrated by Asma Enayeh

Such a delight to see Muzoon’s story coming to children in the West in the form of a Step into Reading Biography. The approachable format aimed at second and third graders reading paragraphs tells Muzoon’s story with quotations from her middle grade biography, Muzoon: A Syrian Refugee Speaks Out.  From her life with extended family, playing soccer, studying and enjoying Ramadan, to the changes that turned her country unsafe and forced them to become refugees. It follows her to refugee camps trying to find routine and hope and the role education and encouraging other’s to study plays in her life.  Eventually her activism and efforts catch the attention of UNICEF and today she works as a UNICEF Global Goodwill Ambassador and travels the world advocating for education and refugees and rebuilding Syria.

Divided into eight chapters, the 48 page book shows how relatable Muzoon’s life is and how the political events forced her family to abandon all they knew.  The presentation, in both the text and the illustrations, show the unexpected and hardships Muzoon and her family face as they make their way to the refugee camps and work to adjust. The book is not graphic, but the weight is conveyed as readers also see the power education and learning has in providing hope and opportunity. In a fictional story, a protagonist using their voice for the good of society is something to cheer, to see it from a real life person in the middle of a war, is something to admire and be inspired by.

I particularly like the inclusion of Ramadan in the story and the details showing her family joyfully gathering to break their fast together, as well as conveying some details about the Islamic holiday.

Nov7

The Land of La La La by Sana Saghafi illustrated by Azam Vazehimogadam

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The Land of La La La by Sana Saghafi illustrated by Azam Vazehimogadam

This gorgeous and powerful 36 page picture book goes back in time to a Palestine where the struggles of today are still found, along with the resilience of the people, determination of the women, ingenuity of the children, love and hope.  The book is so strongly unapologetic in its portrayal of marbles representing strategy of kids to battle the giants aka soldiers, of children being imprisoned, of the occupiers being outsmarted by the people, and the joy that persists despite the attempts of erasure. The story within a story…within a story(?), doesn’t name Palestine until the very end, after the stories at hand have wrapped up, and doesn’t disclose that it is based on a true story, except for in the blurb.  It is also worth highlighting that the book is not OWN voice or sourced.  I still am sharing though because it is positioned as happening long ago, and thus hopefully not further erasing a Palestinian voice, but rather sharing a story to prevent it from being lost.  I do not know the author, illustrator, or publishers’ intent, this is simply my view and I am happy to be corrected if I have arrogantly overstepped.  



The book starts with a lullaby lilting through the air, the la la las, connecting the women caring for their children. Mama Laya is busy so Big Brother Bilal is playing with the children, marking which soldiers have been defeated on the paper that matches the marble game in the lane. When the giants take him away the children run to find Daddy Salim.

The searching children and family find Bilal in prison, and the giants don’t speak the language of the people to be reasoned with, so they must figure out a way to free him on their own.  Mama and the children have a picnic outside the prison and secret filled lullaby conveys the plan right under the giants’ noses. With Bilal free, the women gather to teach each other a secret way to communicate, to resist, to hope, in the lullabies that they sing.

There is no religion mentioned, but the title page begins, “In the Name of God,” and numerous characters are depicted wearing hijab.  I read a digital arc and I hope the printed version has backmatter to highlight that the author is not Palestinian, when this would have taken place, and if it is accurate.  Authenticity and accuracy are important, and I hope the book clarifies what is real, what is imagined, an where the information came from.

 

Sep14

All the Ways to be Pretty by Shamaila Khan illustrated by Reyhana Ismail

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All the Ways to be Pretty by Shamaila Khan illustrated by Reyhana Ismail

The premise of this book is fabulous, an Islamic approach to internal beauty to counter the societal emphasis on external appearance, by drawing on the examples of Ai’shah (RA), Khadija (RA), Sumayyah (RA), Maryam (RA), Hajar (RA), and Rufaidah (RA), may Allah swt be pleased with them all.  The illustrations are decent, focusing on the girl understanding what her mother is saying and her imaging herself with those qualities.  The part that I struggled with, is I flipped through it before I started reading it, and the pages are often walls of text.  Additionally, I didn’t realize it is rhyming text over 34 pages.  SubhanAllah though, somehow, it works.  I can see this book being shared at preteen gatherings in masajids, homes, and schools everywhere.  The rhyme at times is forced and lacking, but the flow makes the walls of text zoom by and the information shared is not overwhelming and Alhumdulillah, it doesn’t stray too far from the central messaging. You could share it with younger readers, but I think it works best if the audience knows some of the women and facts highlighted, and the information shared is a mix of reminder and new tidbits urging further exploration. The publisher lists the reading age at 7-10 which is probably a good fit based on the amount of text, but the rhyme, mirrors at the end, and starting point of battling beauty standards on the screen and “Princess” messaging is a bit of a target audience disconnect, which is why I point it out so consumers are aware.

The book starts with a lengthy author’s note before the rhyming scene of a mother and daughter walking to school and discussing what the daughter would like to be.  The girl doesn’t answer a profession, but rather responds that she wants to be pretty, and gives some justifications.  The mother gently then encourages her not to just want to be pretty, but rather pretty smart, pretty wise, pretty brave, pretty pious, pretty resilient, and pretty kind, before concluding with the girl throughout the day thinking of how to be like them, and her mother, to earn Allah’s pleasure.  Each attribute is a two page spread with one of the historical women featured.  The book ends with a hadith and six mirrors with the characteristics beneath them.

I like that the book does not try to give an entire biography about the women featured.  I also like that Islamic references are also brought in, some explained some not. It is “Islamic fictionalized non fiction” it is meant for Muslims with Islamic framing, not just Muslim characters, and it has substance.  Lately so many self published or even Islamic published books seem to not feature Islamic foundational themes, and I realize how much I have missed reading books that do.  Yes, I normally would have a solution to offer as to how to make the pages less text filled and I know I should say that maybe it shouldn’t rhyme, because it makes for some awkward phrasing, over explaining, and useless lines, but alas, I have no suggestions.  We need books that present our Sahabas and Prophets in a manner that allow our kids to know them and think of them and emulate them. Alhumdulillah, I can see this book being read and shared and discussed, and that to me is a “pretty “good thing.

Sep5

The Prince of Stars: Ulugh Beg’s Quest to Map the Stars and Seasons by M.O. Yuksel illustrated by Zelma Firdauzia

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The Prince of Stars: Ulugh Beg’s Quest to Map the Stars and Seasons by M.O. Yuksel illustrated by Zelma Firdauzia

This gorgeous 40 page picture book biography is both flowing in its storytelling and informative in its sourced details of a fairly unknown, underappreciated figure.  I was humbled reading this book and learning about the accomplishments of someone I had never heard of before.  Truly this book, bringing to the attention of our young and old ones alike, such a remarkable figure, is a much needed gift.  The publisher suggests the book for 4-8 year olds, but I think it also will appeal to older readers familiar with Copernicus, Galileo, and Ptolemy and who will appreciate the efforts driven by curiosity from someone so long ago. The diction in a few lines did give me pause, but nothing that overshadows how well the author has once again proven to master the storytelling of non fiction Muslim accomplishments in an engaging, accessible, exciting way for today’s audiences.

The book opens with a map of the Timurid Empire in 1405, before showing the reader a young prince, Ulugh Beg, gazing out and the stars and wondering how many there are.  The next spread makes no sense to me, but I acknowledge others might not be bothered, how can the young boy be watching days fade into weeks, into months, into years, and then wonder how many days are in a year? Seems that either those terms weren’t yet around, or some details about the generalized meaning made him curious about the specifics.  Either way, him wanting to know how many days in a year and the changing of seasons, along with counting the stars are the questions he wonders about as a child and works to answer throughout his life.

The king of the Timurid Empire, Ulugh Beg’s grandfather, insured his intelligent grandson had the best teachers and was allowed to travel, learn, and follow him curiosity.  At 15, when Ulugh Beg became the ruler of Turkistan, he built a madrasa and invited scholars, artists, students, philosophers, and inventors to attend making Turkistan “a mecca of learning.”  Yes, the usage of mecca here made me laugh.  I know it is appropriate, but it seemed a little on the noise in a book where Mecca, the direction we pray is also mentioned.  The book then details the controversy of studying the stars, as astrology and astronomy at the time, were seen as one and the same.  And with only God knowing the future, he had to assert that he was curious about the science of the stars and planets.

I love that faith and Islam is centered and that the inscription on his school is “Seeking knowledge is the duty of every Muslim man and woman.” But it alludes that this is a hadith, and while I agree it is inspired by a saying of Prophet Muhammad (saw), I think adding the man and woman part, where to the best of my knowledge the hadith is just “every Muslim,” is something that should be clarified. None-the-less, that it was Ulugh Beg’s motto, so to speak, and that he made a point to articulate “woman” is remarkable.  He determined the exact time of the five daily prayers, the direction to Mecca, and the dates of holidays.

He also built the world’s largest observatory, and numerous tools, including the Fakhri sextant to measure the location of the stars and movement of planets.  He encouraged being challenged and challenging others’ findings, and over 17 years wrote a star catalog of more than 1,000 stars. He answered how many days in a year, down to the seconds, why the seasons change, and inspired future astronomers and scientists.

As incredible as the story is, the backmatter is equally impressive with an Author’s Note, Ulugh Beg’s Biography, a Glossary, Astronomical Timeline, Bibliography, Further Reading, and Acknowledgements.

The illustrations are the cherry on top, somehow I don’t love the cover, but the inside spreads are nice and match the tone of the words and the detail of what he was accomplishing.  The book is on preorder and I hope, teachers, librarian, and families will prioritize learning about him, and giving him credit for what he helped us to understand, about our world.

Aug2

Hawa Abdi by Emna Ennaifer illustrated by Anastasiia Bielik

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Hawa Abdi by Emna Ennaifer illustrated by Anastasiia Bielik

This picture book biography starts with Dr. Hawa Abdi being born in Mogadishu, Somalia and shares with readers pivotal moments that helped define her academic and humanitarian journey as Somalia’s first female gynecologist and the founder of the Doctor Hawa Abdi Foundation.  The large horizontal pages with brightly colored illustrations help draw the readers in to the often advanced vocabulary filled text.  According to the publishers, the book is meant for ages 5-9, but I think seven and up, with some assistance, will better understand some of the diction, accomplishments, and what made her such a globally recognized figure.  I was surprised that Islam, and her being a Muslim is not mentioned at all in the book.  I actually doubted my knowledge of her and when I finished the book, I Googled to verify her religious association.  The book starts with a map and concludes with actual photographs that are referenced, but none of the facts about Hawa Abdi or where the information came from are sourced.  While I appreciate that her story is being brought to children through this book, I feel sourcing should have been included, and as a book that is part of a series meant to highlight “inspiring people from the Arab-Muslim world,” I was disappointed that there was no Islam whatsoever articulated in the text.

The story begins by showing little Hawa as an independent girl walking miles alone to get water from the river.  She loved school and often “stayed after school to look at the terrestrial and celestial globes.”  When her mother was in the hospital, Hawa spent months staying with her and observing the doctors.  When her mother passed away she decided she would become a doctor.  She took care of her four little sisters, and studies hard, eventually earning a scholarship to study medicine in Kiev. Her family supported her and she was off to study, promising to return.  When she returned she set up a clinic that soon become a large hospital.  When war broke out her hospital became a village of hope as she took people in, started schools, and kept the inhabitants safe from intruders.

The book really focuses on Hawa becoming a doctor and a humanitarian, thus making any personal remarks about her generalized and lacking.  For example the jump from taking care of her siblings to getting a scholarship is very abrupt, the book doesn’t mention marriage or having children, her daughters are just suddenly there helping run the hospital.  As a result the timeline is non existent and readers don’t know how old she was when her mom died, how old she was when she went to Kiev, when the war started, etc..  With any biography certain facts undoubtedly must be left out, but even a timeline in the backmatter would have been beneficial. 

Apr26

Three Summers: A Memoir of Sisterhood, Summer Crushes, and Growing Up on the Eve of the Bosnian Genocide by Amra Sabic-El-Reyess with Laura L. Sullivan

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Three Summers: A Memoir of Sisterhood, Summer Crushes, and Growing Up on the Eve of the Bosnian Genocide by Amra Sabic-El-Reyess with Laura L. Sullivan

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It is difficult and probably rather inappropriate for me to offer a “review” of a memoir, after all who am I to have opinions on someone’s lived experience.  And this non fiction book in particular is so desperately needed and important, as OWN voice middle grade literature about Bosnia is fairly non existent. So continue reading my thoughts with a grain of salt, suffice it to say, that I enjoyed the book, and loved the author’s YA book The Cat I Never Named, but ultimately I struggle to suggest this for the intended audience of 8-12 year olds.  As a child my family was involved with Bosnian refugees in the 90s, as an adult I understand that Islam, and being Muslim, is not a monolith, as someone who can empathize with loss and heartache, I couldn’t put the book down.  Yet, I truly doubt that many fourth graders will feel the emotional climaxes that are not shown, but told.  That they will understand the timeline and what is about to happen if the book were to continue.  That they will feel a connection to the characters who read so much older than them.  If the book was fiction, I would say the characters read YA, with the bikinis and details of body growth, kissing, making out, having boyfriends, and dancing at the discotheque, cigarette smoking, backless dresses, noting which neighbors are having affairs, and trying to become their “truest self,” but the book is a memoir, this is the author’s life when she was 11, 12, and 13.  In an environment where her maturity is noted as being heightened because of the loss of her brother and her personality, the book shows cultural norms, that will still strike contemporary reader as being much more adult in nature. Islamically, the label of Muslim and Bosniaks, is ever present.  Bosniaks were massacred for being Muslim, period.  The book never shows them praying, or mentions Allah swt or the Quran, covering is something only the older generations did, they do drink alcohol on occasion, but they have a cow slaughtered Islamically and burials are done in accordance with Islamic principles.  There is kissing, having boyfriends is not problematic unless they are Serb, the only imam mentioned does weird black magic type things.  So while the label of “Muslim” may feel to Muslims readers more like a cultural marker at times, it is none-the-less incredibly empowering to see that Amra takes pride in her Bosniak identity and doesn’t shy away from it. Other flags/triggers are domestic abuse, bullying, physical violence, attempted drowning, accidental drowning, death of a sibling, kidnapping, imprisonment, threat of war, racism, Islamophobia, music, fortune tellers, lying, threatening.  The backmatter offers a timeline and thus gives some information about the rape, torture, genocide, abuse, and destruction.

SYNOPSIS:

The book starts with a visiting fortune teller giving Amra and her family hope that her older brother Amar will be pain free soon. Amar suffers from Marfan syndrome, and is frequently weak, teased, and in pain.  But he is also wise and patient, brilliant and gentle, and beloved by so many, and Amra is broken when he passes away.  To help break her from her debilitating grief, her parents reach out to a cousin in Belgrade, who has long been estranged for marrying a Serb, to come visit for the summer.  Zana and her younger sister Vedrana, engulf Amra in warmth and adventure and the summer on the River Una is just what Amra needs.  The next summer Zana and Amra resume their idyllic adventures of swimming, make-up, crushes, and coming of age, with only a hint of fracture based on religious lines creeping in the final days.  The following summer Amra is starting to mature on her own and understand the world around her.  Her father has lost his job, been kidnapped essentially and tortured, and while nights dancing at the discotheque give laughter and light, the girls final summer, is the end of peace, and innocence for all Bosniaks.

WHY I LIKE IT:

I love the end, that there are real life updates of the people in the book.  It made me cry.  It is also so timely to what is occurring in Gaza and how no matter how clear it is that it is genocide, and it is oppression, and it is racism, some just cannot see it.  The book is joyful, but the reality of the backmatter is heavy, and real, and important.

I like that the book shows Bosnia and the culture and the traditions, the few books I’ve read focus on the war, and the rich culture and deep history doesn’t get to shine like it does here.

I do wish the book was more showing than telling.  I know it is a memoir, but at times it was just too advanced commentary and insight.  I fully believe the author is brilliant, and at 11 years old was pondering her life, but most readers just aren’t at that age, and the tangents keep the readers at arms length.  The book says it is about crushes, so I don’t want to keep harping on it, but it really is Amra and Zana and a gaggle of other female cousins quite often worrying about boys, and crushes, and kissing.  It doesn’t get obnoxious, but it isn’t a line here or there, it is the bulk of the book.

FLAGS:

Domestic abuse, bullying, physical violence, attempted drowning, accidental drowning, death of a sibling, kidnapping, imprisonment, threat of war, racism, Islamophobia, music, fortune tellers, lying, threatening, death, loss, grief, affairs, cheating, racism, bare bodies, crude jokes, crushes, kissing, making out, sneaking out, smoking, drinking, developing bodies, bullying, internalized Islamophobia, kidnapping, imprisonment, dancing, black magic imams.  The backmatter offers a timeline and thus gives some information about the rape, torture, genocide, abuse, starvation, and destruction during the Bosnian genocide.

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TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:

I think with some context about war, about communism, the Ottoman empire even, this book could be used in a teaching setting to allow the time frame to be seen from those living it, but, for more mature middle school to early high school readers.  It is a lot for MG and that it is non fiction makes me want it to be understood and appreciated and I don’t know that for the intended demographic, even with context and guidance it would be achieved. There really isn’t a plot, it is a memoir, and the pacing and assumed context knowledge I feel like, just wouldn’t be there for the typical western middle grade reader.

Apr1

Behind My Doors: The Story of the World’s Oldest Library by Hena Khan illustrated by Nabila Adani

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Behind My Doors: The Story of the World’s Oldest Library by Hena Khan illustrated by Nabila Adani

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The world’s oldest library proudly stands in Fez, Morocco: started by a Muslim woman, restored by a Muslim woman, and in this 40 page book the library itself tells its own story in a book authored by a Muslim woman.  The personified library shares a few highlights from its early start as a corner in Fatima Al-Fihri’s masjid and university to collections spanning multiple buildings, from a bustling center of learning and knowledge to a place of disrepair and neglect.  Staying on an early elementary level, the informative author’s note and references make the book engaging for older readers as well, and an incredible addition to bookshelves everywhere.

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The book starts with the library introducing itself and welcoming the reader. “Merhaba! I am Al-Qarawiyyin Library–the oldest library in the world.” At over a thousand years old, the library begins at the hands of Fatima Al-Fihri in 859 who dared to dream big and created a space of learning and worship in Morocco.

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As the courtyards and collections grew, seekers of knowledge, from all backgrounds, gathered to discuss, debate, and learn.  Special rooms with special locks kept books safe: a Quran written on camel-leather, a philosophers drawings in gold ink.

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Nearly destroyed once by a fire, the library endured, but over time the rooms were no longer filled with the bustle of people.  One day a small girl, Aziza, paused at the door, but did not enter for many years.  When she did return, she came as an architect with a team to restore the library and invite people back in to read, learn, and dream.

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It delights me that such an important story is available to be widely learned from and appreciated.  You can preorder a copy here from Amazon.

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