Tag Archives: Biography

Feb2

Sitti’s Secrets by Naomi Shihab Nye illustrated by Nancy Carpenter

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Sitti’s Secrets by Naomi Shihab Nye illustrated by Nancy Carpenter

sitti

Sitti’s Secret was published in 1994 and given the events of the week, I’d say it is more relevant today than it was when written.  And if by some chance the events of the week haven’t affected your children, then the poetry and soul of the book still makes it an amazingly powerful story.

Mona travels from America to Palestine to visit her grandma, her Sitti.  Without the ease of speaking the same language, Sitti and Mona learn to communicate and build a tight bond cut too short by a vacation coming to an end.  When Mona returns she sees the news and writes a letter to the President, telling her Sitti’s secrets, telling him they would be great friends, and telling him they only want peace.

Truly Nye is a poet, even in Turtle of Oman her words transport you to a place where time slows down and the connection between a child and a grandparent make you nostalgically yearn for a simpler time.  Having spent my summer’s abroad visiting my grandma I could relate to so much of this book and truly had to still my heart.  The little things, like examining your grandma’s hand, or hanging out laundry, or brushing her hair. Even that dreaded final hug as you prepare to leave,  I could relate and it was enchanting.

No where in the book does it mention the Middle East or Islam, only at the beginning does she hint at it by dedicating the book to her 105 -year-old Sitti in Palestine, it mentions that she speaks Arabic and a few words are sprinkled in. And the Grandma does wear a scarf.  Other than that the book is by and large not political.  If you know that Nye has a Palestinian father and American mother and often writes semi auto biographical pieces, the book can take a bit of a different role to the reader.  Many reviews criticize the activism upon her return (the letter to the President), and found it disjointed to the rest of the story.  But in today’s climate I found it empowering and hopeful.  The world will only find peace when we put a face to those that are different to us, and even children can change our stereotypes.  I love that my children are seeing that they can make a change in the world today, and to see it reinforced in literature was gratifying.

The book is 32 pages and written on an AR 3.9 level.  The illustrations are beautiful.  They bring the words to life in a tender and heartfelt way.  The detail is subtle but deep and i have found myself thumbing back through the pages to get lost in the illustrations multiple times.  I think the book works on different levels for different age groups.  If you have a family that has to overcome great distances to be together, even younger readers will be able to identify with the story’s tenderness.  If you are in 3rd-6th grade and are aware of what is happening in the world you will be inspired.  If you just are looking for a sweet book, subhanAllah it manages to fulfill that category too.

Jul19

Saladin: Noble Prince of Islam by Diane Stanley

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saladin

This is a beautiful historical biography of Salah al-Din, known in the west as Saladin, that I felt worth sharing despite it not being fiction.  Written on an AR Level of 7.0 the 48 pages are highly wordy, and cover a lot of historical ground.  There is a post script, a glossary and bibliography at the end.  The pictures are detailed and bright and inviting, but even for a 7th grader, I think the book would be a challenge.  If one has an interest in the time, or has studied it and knows some of the supporting characters, the book in fantastically interesting, and insightful for the format.  To an average middle school or even high school student, they might thumb through it and keep it on the shelf as a reference tool, but that might be about it.

Saladin inside page

With any historical account, particularly those trying to simplify and appeal to children, the author gets to pick in what historical light to present the events.  The book starts with an Author’s Note detailing the fight for Jerusalem up until the first crusade. It then begins with the story of Saladin’s life.  Born in 1138, he was named Yusuf ibn Ayyub, and then tells a bit about his upbringing and the basic tenants of Islam.  It explains how he came to power and how the truce with the Franks was broken by Reginald.  It then details the battles, the follies and plans of both sides.  It shows the honor that Saladin had for his enemies and even the respect he had from Richard the Lionheart.  It shows the politicking in Europe and the toll of the Crusades on the people there and in the Middle East.  The book also tries to show Saladin outside of his battle armor as a family man who was devoted to his wife Ismat.  “When she (Ismat) died, Saladin was lying in his tent, seriously ill.  His advisors kept the news from him for three months, until he was fully recovered, for fear the shock might kill him.”

Saladin died in 1193 and  knowing that he was dying he passed on advice to his son oh how to be king.  “Win the hearts of your people and watch over their prosperity; for it is to secure their happiness that you are appointed by God and by me. . . I have become as great as I am because I have won men’s heart’s by gentleness and kindness.”  The book states that he was so generous and unconcerned with money and luxury that when he died he didn’t even have money to pay for his simple burial.  

Admittedly I know very little about the historical accuracies or slant of the author.  I do know that it does inspire pride for Muslims and hope that people of different faiths can one day again co-exist in Palestine and the world, inshaAllah.

 

Aug19

Muhammad (SAW) By Demi

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muhammad-cover-pic

This book attempts the enormous task of creating a picture book biography for kids about Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings Be  Upon Him).  While the text seems adequate and engaging for children with a basic knowledge of RasulAllah’s life, I think it would overwhelm any young non-Muslim reader.  The story starts with Prophet Muhammad’s birth and tells about the major aspects of his life, both as a family man and as a leader.  The text includes ayats from the Qur’an and hadith.  THe information is presented as fact, it doesn’t preface statements by saying, “Muslim’s believe,” making the book a solid, yet dense, book for Muslims of all ages and a good introduction to Islam and Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) for older non-Muslims as well.

The book has an AR level of 6.7 and is beautifully illustrated.  Some of the illustrations are borderline irreverent, but it is clear that Demi truly respects the Islamic tradition of not depicting Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).   I think it is more jarring because most Islamic books do not depict the angels, buraq, or any of the prophets, where Demi does in her book.  Prophet Muhammad is depicted by a gold silhouette and the proper blessings are bestowed upon him whenever mentioned in the text.

Demi includes a foreword at the begining of her book that explains some of the diction choices and background on the artistic style used, there is also a bibliography at the end of her 42 page story.  The book is ok for independent readers or in small groups to discuss, however for anyone younger than 3rd grade, it is probably just too much information.