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

Boook Review: BE GOOD TO EDDIE LEE

A. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Fleming, Virginia. 1993. BE GOOD TO EDDIE LEE. New York: Putnam & Grosset.

ISBN 0399219935.

B. PLOT SUMMARY
Eddie is lonesome and no one pays attention to him because he is different. He only has one friend named Christy who is asked by her mother to be nice to Eddie, but she does not like Eddie following her around all summer. On one hot summer day, JimBud invites Christy to go wading and looking for frog eggs but does not want Eddie to go with them. Christy scolds Eddie and tells him to go home. JimBud wants to start on his journey with Christy; therefore he yells a warning to Eddlie to go home. Finally, Christy realizes that JimBud has made up a story about finding frog eggs because he wants Christy to come with him. Meanwhile, Eddie is the person who finds beautiful lilies and frog eggs for Christy, and teaches her a lesson, “Do not steal the creature from nature.”

C. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This is Ms. Fleming’s first book for children and the story was inspired by her close friendship with a person who has Down syndrome. She honestly portrays the feelings, sensitivities and honesty in children with Down syndrome. The cultural markers in this community are seen through the dispositions of these stubborn, happy and carefree children. The facial features of Eddie in illustrations with a round face and slanted eyes without eye folds are physical characteristics of individuals with Down syndrome. Although both the author and illustrator are not insiders, they present the cultural accuracy and authenticity of this condition.

Even though there are only a few dialects spoken by Eddie, language also plays a very important role in accurately describing the portrait of Eddie through his gestures and physical movement. The descriptions of Eddlie’s sentiment and disposition are physical characteristics of children with Down syndrome, such as Eddie waddles down the steps and grins all the time. The author also authentically depicts what people’s feelings about being with individuals in this community through dialogues among Christy, JimBud and Eddie. For example, Christy says “I will be bothered with him following me around all summer.” People’s general attitudes when they work with children with disabilities are also presented in the text. They treat them like as an animal but not like a human being, to such as extent that Eddie grins and says “I am not a dog.”

This story not only depicts how individuals with Down syndrome cope with other people, but also implies all the human beings are the same. The illustration on the last page shows that Christy has a similar face as Eddie’s when shown in an inverted reflection in water. The most touching part in this story is when Eddlie comforts Christy when she feels upset by saying “that’s okay and I like you anyway.” Eddlie also puts his right hand over his heart saying “it’s what’s here that counts.” I believe that this is the same way that individuals with disabilities want to be treated by “counting” in other people’s hearts.

E. REVIEW EXCERPTS
Publishers Weekly: “This story about a boy with Down's syndrome a rarity for its potential to entertain, educate and encourage deeper consideration for others.”

School Library Journal: "Cooper's artful accompaniment to the text that truly brings out the author's positive message. Be Good to Eddie Lee is welcome for slightly older children, but mostly for the realism it exudes rather than the somewhat contrived story."

Booklist: “This title will undoubtedly be valued for its Down's syndrome theme, but detailed references to the pyracantha bush, the belted kingfisher, and the "beaver-gnawed birches," supported by Cooper's luminous paintings, also recommend it as a nature story.

E. CONNECTIONS
Information about individuals with Down syndrome:
Individuals with Down syndrome usually have distinctive physical characteristics such as a round face and slanted eyes without eye folds. Other physical characteristics are heart abnormalities, hearing problems and respiratory problems. They vary considerably in the degree of mental retardation associated with the disorder, and few of them can be functional members in society. They are usually happy and carefree but stubborn. Some young adults with Down syndrome can achieve much in both work and independent living through special education.

About the author:
Virginia Fleming was born and raised in a small county near the mountains in North Carolina, and lives in New Jersey now. She writes many poems and stories related to experiences in her childhood. She graduated from Brevard University and was a preschool teacher for more than ten years. She is a professional writer now.

Other books for children with mental illness
1. Berniece Rabe's Where's Chimpy? by Albert Whitman.
2. Our Brother Has Down's Syndrome by Cairo Jasmine.
3. Autism by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen
4. Since We’re Friends: An Autism Picture Book by Celeste Shally.
5. I am Utterly Unique: Celebrating the Strengths of Children with

Asperger Syndrome and High-Functioning Autism by Elaine Marie Larson.
6. Ian’s Walk: A Story about Autism by Laurie Lears.
7. Rules by Cynthia Lord.
8. Andy and His Yellow Frisbee by Mary Thompson.
9. Blue Bottle Mystery: An Asperger’s Adventure by Kathy Hoop Mann.
10.The Boy Who Ate Stars. By Kochka
11.Friend Learn about Tobin by Diane Murrell.
12.Little Rainman by Karen L. Simmons.
13.Buster and Amazing Daisy by Nancy Ogaz.
14.Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko.
15.Guidando a Louis by Lectorum.
16.Looking for X by Deborah Ellis.
17.Oliver Onion: The Onion Who Learns to Accept and Be Himself by Diane Murrell.

Book Review: HEATHER HAS TWO MOMMIES

A. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Newman, Leslea. 1989.HEATHER HAS TWO MOMMIES. Los Angeles CA: Alyson ISBN 1555835708.

B. PLOT SUMMARY
Heather is raised in a lesbian family, and she loves her two mothers not only because “two” is her favorite number, but also because they can play different things with her. Kate is a doctor and she plays make dramatic plays with Heather. They like to play patients and doctors. Jane is a carpenter and Heather likes to search her toolbox for nails, screws and the tape measure. Heather also likes to spend time with her two mommies together, going to the park on sunny days or baking cookies at home on rainy days. Heather feels happy living with her two mommies until she finds that she is the one who has two mommies without a father at home. In the classroom, the teacher lets the children talk about their families and share their family’s drawings. Then Heather realizes that no one has the same family structures and each family has his or her own family members which are diverse.

C. CRITICAL ANALY SIS
Leslea is an inside author realizing that children who come from this community need to read books related to their life’s experiences and see their portraits in stories. Readers can predict that the book is about the lesbian family from the title on the cover page but not from its illustrations. They clearly know the theme when the two mommies and Heather are illustrated on the third page. This illustration is a cultural marker. The story begins with the concept of similarity and difference. Heather’s favorite number “two” related to her possessions, such as arms, pets and mommies. Heather does different things with her mama Kate and mama Jane separately, and they also do something together. Heather feels satisfied and happy living with her two mothers until she goes to school.

The teacher, Molly, is the person helping Heather to cope with the conflict of having two mothers. She helps Heather to realize that everyone is unique and has different family members by sharing children’s life’s experience in the classroom, and drawing and sharing family sketches. Meanwhile, it also help Heather build self-image and self-confidence. These strategies provide ideas for teachers and parents to help their children to deal the similarity and difference in gay and lesbian families.

This is a well-designed book because both texts and illustrations provide diverse images for readers. Helping people understands diversity with in family structures through children’s skin tones, hair styles and clothing. The author uses simple language and words which are easy to read. Meanwhile, the book also shows that adults’ support and parents’ love are the power of children’s growth in all type of families.

D. REVIEW EXCERPTS
From the Publisher: “ Heather Has Two Mommies has sold over 35,000 copies, launched a minor industry in providing books for the children of gay and lesbian parents and, as attested to by a recent New Yorker cartoon, become part of the cultural lexicon.”

Lesbian Review of Books: “A frank, unapologetic, and ultimately cheerful portrait of a high-spirited preschooler who has two gay moms.”

Children's Literature: “I like the idea of sharing a large range of family books with young children to show life's diversity. Among those books there ought to be some that picture gay and lesbian families. When it comes to gay and lesbian children's books, Alyson Press is far and away the forerunner. They are known as the company that stirred up the original controversy with Heather Has Two Mommies and Daddy's Roommate. Both are good introductions for younger children to the subject of families with gay and lesbian parents.”

E. CONNECTIONS
1. Daddy's Roommate by Michael Willhoite

2. Daddy's Wedding by Michael Willhoite

3. Is Your Family Like Mine by Lois Abramchik

4. Mama Eat Ant, Yuck! by Barbara Lynn Edmonds

5. Best Best Colors (Anti-Bias Books for Kids) by Eric Hoffman, et al

6. When Grown-Ups Fall in Love by Barbara Lynn Edmonds

7. ABC A Family Alphabet Book by Bobbie Combs, et al

8. 123 A Family Counting Book by Bobbie Combs

9. Felicia's Favorite Story by Leslea Newman

10.How My Family Came to Be: Daddy, Papa and Me

by Andrew R. Aldrich

11.Emma and Meesha My Boy: A Two Mom Story by Kaitlyn Considine

12.The Duke Who Outlawed Jelly Beans and Other Stories

by Johnny Valentine

13.One Dad, Two Dads, Brown Dad, Blue Dads by Johnny Valentine

14.The Daddy Machine by Johnny Valentine, Lynette Schmidt

15.Molly's Family by Nancy Garden, Sharon Wooding
16.King & King & Family by Linda De Haan, et al.

17.While You Were Sleeping by Stephanie Burks, Kelli Bienvenu

18.Lucy Goes to the Country by Joe Kennedy, John Canemaker
19.Asha's Mums by Rosamund Elwin, et al.

20.A Boy's Best Friend by Joan Alden, Catherine Hopkins

21. Two Moms, the Zark, and Me by Johnny Valentine, Angelo Lopez

22. Gloria Goes to Gay Pride by Leslea Newman, Russell Crocker

23. Saturday Is Pattyday by Leslea Newman, Annette Hegel