A Window into the Muslim World

By JUDY CHERNAK and JUDITH BOLTON-FASMAN

THE STARS IN MY GEDDOH'S SKY
By Claire Sidhom Matze.
Illustrated by Bill Farnsworth.
32 pages. Whitman. $6.95.
Ages 4 to 8.

Alex greets his grandfather from the Middle East with delight and love when he travels to America on "a roaring bird, screeching across the sky." His Geddoh, pronounced with either a hard or soft "G" according to the glossary, brings exotic treasures in his trunks and a warm feeling towards Alex. During his trip they share good times and close experiences so that Alex wishes the relationship didn't have to be interrupted by Geddoh's return to his country. But they agree that the canopy of stars, especially one constellation, will be their continuing connection, as well as letters they'll exchange, "a thread of love across the ocean." The soft illustrations contribute to the warm and fuzzy feel of the book, but Alex seems to have enough command of English to say "airplane" instead of the "roaring bird." And I wish the author had told us whether they'd met before ("Should I hug him? Will he know me?") If not, their seamless togetherness without any breaking-in period is a bit idealized, even though it is a pleasant vehicle for introducing Arab culture to young children. (Reviewed by Judy Chernak)

MUSLIM CHILD
Understanding Islam Through Stories and Poems
by Rukhsana Khan. Illustrated by Patty Gallinger. Sidebars by Irfan Alli.
104 Pages. Whitman. $14.95.
Ages 8 to 12.

A window opens on the Muslim world through a child's eyes as one reads the varied stories and poems collected in 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 observing these traditions 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 a 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 embracing 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 confusing, 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. (Reviewed by Judy Chernak)

NINETEEN VARIETIES OF GAZELLE
Poems of the Middle East
By Naomi Shihab Nye.
160 pages. HarperCollins. $16.95.
Ages 9 and up.

Born to a Palestinian father and a German-American mother, Naomi Shihab Nye's poetry is infused with images of her childhood memories in St. Louis and Jerusalem as well as verse about her current home in San Antonio, Texas. This latest volume from the prolific poet, collects all of Shihab Nye's poems about the Middle East, her hopes for peace and her hyphenated identity as an Arab-American. In a poem entitled "Jerusalem," she bluntly writes: "I'm not interested in / who suffered the most. / I'm interested in people getting over it." Shihab Nye's motivation in collecting these poems was to assuage her grief over "the huge shadow [that] had been cast across the lives of so many innocent people and an ancient culture's pride after September 11." And in this volume she remembers the life-affirming details of her father's prayers, her grandmother's hands, the fig and olive trees in her Jerusalem backyard. Language itself is also a force with which to be reckoned. In "Lunch in Nablus City Park" Shihab Nye muses that, "When you lunch in a town which has recently known war / under a calm slate sky mirroring none of it, / certain words feel impossible in the mouth. / Casualty: too casual, it must be changed." Prescient words in these tragic times. (Reviewed by Judith Bolton-Fasman)