Book Review: SAMIR AND YONATAN

A. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Carmi, Daniella. 2000. SAMIR AND YONATAN. New York: Scholastic.

ISBN 0439135404.

B. PLOT SUMMARY
Samir, a Palestinian boy, is sent to an Israeli hospital for surgery due to accident in the war. Because the hospital is far away from his hometown and his parents have to take care of other family members, he has to stay in the same ward with five other children. He feels trapped among unfamiliar people and blames himself for his brother’s death until he is able to form friendship with the other children. Yonatan, an Israeli boy, is Samir’s best friend. They both enjoy pretending to travel together in their dreams to Mars. Samir recovers from his family tragedy and emotional conflicts through their journeys. On the final day before Samir leaves the hospital, he is finally convinced by Tzahi, a naughty boy, to urinate out on the trees just outside of hospital. Samir is able to create a more hopeful outlook and philosophy. As a result of his friendships with children of the opposing Israeli culture. Samir becomes stronger and finds closure in the matter of his brother accidental death.

C. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Although the story’s setting is only in an Israeli hospital, Carmi presents Arabian cultural markers through the protagonist, Samir’s, observations. Carmi depicts Samir’s and five other children’s facial features, skin tone, physical activities and their relationships with their families. The obvious cultural marker is related to war and its effects on people’s lives. Their sentiments and emotions are also deeply connected to war. For example, children hope their parents will be able stay with them or visit them in the hospital. The children hope to the bomb and fighting will stop immediately; however, it seems to them that the war is never over. The war is the major reason that all of the children are wounded and are confined to stay in the hospital. War forces people to form new attitudes which may be either positive or negative. Carmi also explores gender and children’s roles, and gives a fascinating glimpse into Arabian lifestyle which is another cultural marker.

Language is one of the elements that make this book successful in relating Arabian cultural markers through the text. In order to present cultural authenticity, Carmi uses many Arabian terms related to people’s lives and their religion, such as currency, food, beverage, room settings and war. It creates clear pictures for readers to understand the current political issues and the Middle Eastern; however, it is also difficult to read in the very beginning. Fortunately, a detail glossary is provided to access readers. It's a vivid and well-written book which provides information, allowing readers to form their own pictures of Middle Eastern culture. This book also presents a strong plot and characterizations. Samir is a quiet and thoughtful boy who suffers because of his brother’s death. Yonatan is also a quiet boy like Samir; however, Yonatan loves to read and has active imaginations. He helps Samir to find closure in the death of his brother. Tzahi is a naughty boy always does some crazy. While in the ward and Samir becomes angry about his unpredictable behavior. The book also has some warm and nice adults who help these children in this uncontrollable situation. However, it also has characters that push children into unhappy conditions.

In the real world, Israelis continue to fight with Palestinian over land. In the hospital Samir, a Palestinian boy recovers from his physical trauma and mental pain through his relationship with his new Israeli friends. I believe that the author makes it clear that there are no boundaries or hate in a child’s world. It is only when children are presented with negative models that they learn to disrespect other. This book not only serves as a vivid description of Middle Eastern culture through children’s experiences and feelings, but it also provides meaningful lessons for each.

D. REVIEW EXCERPTS
From the Publisher: “This is a story of violence and healing the story of a boy facing the enemy he has been taught to fear.”

Publishers Weekly: “A Palestinian boy comes to terms with his younger brother's death by an Israeli soldier in this slow-paced but affecting novel originally published in Hebrew in 1994.”
Publishers Weekly: “the book's understated tone and detailed character development prevent its message from becoming obvious or heavy handed.”

Children's Literature: “It is a story first of fear of the unknown, and then of tolerance and acceptance, as Samir learns to love these Jewish children as if they were his own siblings.”

VOYA: “Although the book appears appropriate for a much younger audience, the emotions and

issues are complex and more suited for middle school readers. Young teens will relate to Samir's feelings of being an outsider and will appreciate the message of peace that is the central theme of the book. This title received an honorable mention for the UNESCO prize for Children's Literature in the Service of Tolerance.”

Debra Mitts Smith – KLIATT: “Its easy and flowing style makes it accessible to middle schoolers, while its topic makes it equally appropriate for older teens. An ALA Notable Book and a New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age.”
School Library Journal: “Life in the hospital is described as clearly as life in the Occupied Territories and readers will sympathize with Samir's fear and loneliness and welcome his new friendships. Written in Hebrew but published first in Germany, the book is smoothly translated and will have wide appeal.”

E. CONNECTIONS
Other children’s literature related to the Middle Eastern
1. Testing the sky: a Palestinian Children by Ibtisam Barakat
2. If you could be my friend: letters of Mervet Akram Sha’ban

and Galit Fink by Litsa Boudalika
3. Yasir Afafat: a life of war and peace by Elizabeth Ferber
4. Sitti’s secrets by Naomi Shihab Nye
5. Arafat and the Palestine Liberation Organization by Diana Reische
6. Middle East in search of peace by Cathryn J. Long
7. Jerusalem mosaic: voices from the Holy City by I. E. Mozeson

and Lois Stavsky
8. When will the fighting stop? : a child’s view of Jersalem

by Ann Morris
9. Youth in the Middle East: voices of despair by David J. Abodaher
10.Gavriel and Jemal: two boys of Jerusalem by Paul Conklin
11.Disney’s Aladdin: adapted from the film by A. L. Singer
12.Aladdin: and other tales from the Arabian Knights

by Rosalind Kerven
13.Seven daughters & seven sons by Barbara Cohen and Bahija
14.Number art: thirteen 123s from around the world

by Leonard Everett Fisher
15.Space between our footsteps: poems and paintings from

the Middle East by Naomi Shihab Ny

16.Tales from the Arabian nights retold by N. J. Dawood