- Paperback: 48 pages
- Publisher: Lee & Low Books (May 2003)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1584301775
- ISBN-13: 978-1584301776
- Product Dimensions: 21.7 x 26.6 x 0.4 cm
- Shipping Weight: 204 g
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
#1,773,325 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #53 in Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Social Issues > Emigrants & Immigrants
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Product Details |
Product Description
From School Library Journal
Grade 2-5-Unlike Jessica Chalfonte's I Am Muslim (Rosen, 1996) and Diane Hoyt-Goldsmith's Celebrating Ramadan (Holiday, 2001), both of which focus on religion, Wolf's book looks at the life of an immigrant family from a broader perspective. A lively essay describes the Mahmouds' arrival in the U.S. from Egypt; how the various family members spend their time at school, work, and at home; non-Muslim friends; interest in prototypical American activities such as watching television and playing basketball; and attendance at the mosque on Friday. Unfortunately, there are two errors in a sentence that reads, "Facing east is a gesture of respect for Muhammad, the man who wrote the Qur'an, Islam's holy book." In fact, Muslims pray toward Mecca because they believe that God's house is there and Muhammad did not "write" the Qur'an; he was illiterate. The Muslim belief is that he committed the text to memory as the angel Jibra'il (Gabriel) dictated it. Large, excellent-quality color photographs on each spread depict such events as marketing, a birthday celebration, and a graduation. Wolf portrays the Mahmouds as individuals rather than as representations; his approach serves the important purpose-especially in a suspicious and stressful time such as our own-of pointing out that differences of religion do not signify differences in humane behavior, love of family, or appreciation for hard work. Yet, the experience of this family can stand, in some ways, as a representation of the intersection of Islam with the United States.
Coop Renner, Blackshear Elementary School, Austin, TX
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Coop Renner, Blackshear Elementary School, Austin, TX
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
From Booklist
Gr. 3-5. Addressing the surprising scarcity of books designed to introduce young readers to American adherents of this rapidly growing faith, Wolf adds impersonal, but specific, commentary to a generous set of big, bright photos to profile a family of Egyptian immigrants living in New York City. Hassan Mahmoud works nights and frets about not seeing enough of his family. His wife, Soad, hampered by her lack of English, seems practically a shut-in, except when she goes to language class. On the other hand, the three Mahmoud children have adapted to their new country well, and are seen doing familiar tasks at home and at school, being with non-Muslim friends, enjoying both traditional foods at dinner and an American-style cake brought in to celebrate a birthday. Wolf ends on a formal note, with photos of the family at prayer in a Manhattan mosque. Though the character portraits in this photo-essay are more generalized than those in Hoyt-Goldsmith's Celebrating Ramadan (2001), and larger issues, such as post-September 11 tensions, remain unexamined, children will come away more likely to consider the Mahmouds, and immigrant families like them, neighbors, rather than strangers. John Peters
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Inside This Book
(Learn More)
First Sentence
This is Rowan Mahmoud. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
This is Rowan Mahmoud. Read the first page
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Concordance
Browse Sample PagesConcordance
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
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2 reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
A brightly photographed realistic portrayal of a family's arrival in the United States from Egypt
Oct 5 2009
Format:Paperback
The photo-essay Coming to America: A Muslim Family's Story is a brightly photographed realistic portrayal of a family's arrival in the United States from Alexandra, Egypt. The father arrives first, after winning a "green card lottery" offered to Egyptians who want to work in America. He worked long hours as a grocer in Queens, N.Y. until he was able to bring his family. Text and beautiful bright color photographs let the reader share the experiences of eight-year-old Rowan Mahmoud and her family once they all arrive. The photos capture the family at home, in school, and at the mosque. Their religion is an integral part of their life, but school, television, and playing with friends take up most of their time. We see the children in American schools with American teachers and schoolwork, but then return home to their Muslim and Egyptian traditions.
Particularly useful in the classroom is the way Wolf tackles immigration issues for both adults and children; the hardships of learning a new language, the economic problems of finding an appropriate job, homesickness etc. At a time when many Muslim and Arab families in the U.S. feel subject to discriminatory governmental regulations and public attitudes, this book is especially welcome.
Particularly useful in the classroom is the way Wolf tackles immigration issues for both adults and children; the hardships of learning a new language, the economic problems of finding an appropriate job, homesickness etc. At a time when many Muslim and Arab families in the U.S. feel subject to discriminatory governmental regulations and public attitudes, this book is especially welcome.
Gem of a book
Jan 4 2012
Format:Paperback
Tells the story of a Muslim family who moved from Alexandria Egypt to New York City. Colorful pictures depict family members at work, at school, at home, in the neighborhood. Promotes understanding of the challenges immigrants face and some basic information about Islam. Excellent for any age.
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