From: Elise Supovitz <Elise.Supovitz>
Date: Wed, 19 Mar 2003 14:46:26 -0500

A STONE IN MY HAND, by Cathryn Clinton (October 2002) is the story of an 11-year old Palestinian child named Malaak living in Gaza City in 1988. Her father has been missing for a month since he left Gaza to look for work, and her brother, Hamid, becomes involved in Islamic Jihad. Malaak is a sensitive and brave girl and we learn about what it's like for a child to live with violence and fear on a daily basis, about how children cope and survive under these conditions. Malaak's story could have been set in Bosnia, Northern Ireland, Rwanda -- it is universal and should help middle graders understand what many children throughout the world undergo because of the tragedies of war and religious hatred. There is a lack of good books available about Muslims and Arabs -- especially for children -- and this book fills that need. It's also important to point out that the author is neither pro- or anti-Palestinian. STONE IN MY HAND is a work of fiction and it transcends politics. There is an Author's Note explaining this and a glossary of Arabic words used in the book. STONE IN MY HAND received 4 starred reviews (Kirkus, SLJ, PW, and Booklist), was a Booklist Editors Choice, a Book Links Editor's Best of 2002, an IRA Children's Book Award Notable, and appeared on both the NY Public Library's and Chicago Public Library's "Best Books" lists. Reviewers have said:
"This story of a Palestinian girl and her family humanizes the daily news images of children at war." (Booklist)
"The text is poetic, conveying the yearning of normalcy felt by children in a war zone." (Jewish Book World)
"The complexities of the situation - of families wanting peace, of the allure of militant groups to fighters such as Hamid -- are woven into this powerful portrayal. . . Clinton . . . presents history and politics in an engaging, human story . . . told with compassion and hope." (Kirkus)
     


 Message----From: Donna L. Vukelich [mailto:dlvukelich at facstaff.wisc.edu] Sent: 03/17/2003 7:30 PM To: ccbc-net at lists.education.wisc.edu Subject: Re: [ccbc-net] "War" for kids?


I would definitely recommend Samir and Yonatan;
  for younger children, a good picture book is Sami and the Time of Troubles

Donna Vukelich


At 10:23 PM 3/17/2003 +0000, Ethan Casey wrote: II, spy, principal


~ ~ ~ To send a reply to the entire CCBC-Net community,click on...
     mailto:ccbc-net at ccbc.education.wisc.edu To send a request to remove your address from the mailing list, click on...
     mailto:ccbc-net-unsub at ccbc.education.wisc.edu

********************************************************************** This message and any attachment is intended solely for the use of the individual or organization to whom it is addressed and may contain confidential or copyrighted information. If you have received this message in error, please reply to the originator and delete it immediately. If you are not the intended recipient, you should not use, copy, alter, disseminate, print or disclose the contents of this message. This email is not intended to create a legal contract between Candlewick Press or its affiliates on the one hand and any recipient on the other, unless a statement to that effect is expressly included in the text. All copyright material may only be used with the express permission of Candlewick Press. Information or opinions expressed in this message and/or any attachments are those of the author and are not necessarily those of Candlewick Press or its affiliates. Candlewick Press accepts no responsibility for loss or damage arising from its use, including damage from viruses. Note: Internet e-mails are not necessarily secure. Candlewick Press does not accept responsibility for changes made to this message after it was sent.
**********************************************************************
Received on Wed 19 Mar 2003 01:46:26 PM CST