This year’s MEOC Middle East Book Awards winners feature donkeys and Arabic numbers, ancient job listings, Afghan refugees, Saudi Arabia and Muslim Americans. The awards were announced at the Middle East Studies Association conference held in San Diego, CA, in November 2010.
Established in 1999, the Middle East Book Award recognizes quality books for children and young adults that contribute meaningfully to an understanding of the Middle East and its component societies and cultures. Books are judged on the authenticity of their portrayal of a Middle Eastern subject, as well as on their characterization, plot, and appeal for the intended audience. For the purposes of this award, “The Middle East” is defined as the Arab World, Iran, Israel, Turkey, and Afghanistan.
PICTURE BOOK WINNER
How Many Donkeys? An Arabic Counting Tale
by Margaret Read McDonald, Nadia Jameel Taibah (authors) and Carol Liddiment (Illustrator)
In this Saudi folktale, Jouha loads ten donkeys with dates to sell at the market. As he rides along, he counts nine and believes one is lost. Yet when he walks, he counts all ten and is grateful that the missing donkey is back. Alternately lucky and unlucky, depending on whether he walks or rides, Jouha sells his dates and returns home with all of his donkeys. Arabic numbers from one to ten are written from right to left at the bottom of the pages, both in Arabic and in English transliteration, and invite youngsters to count along with the silly date merchant. A great introduction to Arabic numbers for younger readers, as well as the Joha/Goha/Hoca character known throughout the region.
PICTURE BOOK HONORABLE MENTION
Kings and Carpenters: One Hundred Bible Land Jobs You Might have Praised or Panned
by Laurie Coulter and Mary Newbigging
Life was tough in the time of the Old Testament! A fact-filled introduction, detailed timeline and thorough index make this book perfect for research projects, while the humorous illustrations and snappy text provide an entertaining read. Kids will look at history in a whole new way thanks to this unique approach.
YOUTH LITERATURE WINNER
Shooting Kabul
by N. H. Senzai
In July 2001, as 11-year-old Fadi and his family hastily board a truck to begin their escape from Afghanistan, six-year-old Mariam lets go of her brother’s hand and is tragically left behind. Their arrival in San Francisco is bittersweet as they are all too concerned about Mariam to appreciate their newfound safety and freedom. Fadi struggles with integrating himself into American middle school culture, eventually finding solace in the photography club. Still, he is most concerned with the part he played in losing Mariam and getting her back. A photography contest with the prize of a trip to India seems to be his best means of finding a way back to Afghanistan to help in the search for his sister. An age-appropriate tale relevant to current events.
YOUTH NON-FICTION WINNER
A Brief History of Saudi Arabia
by James Wynbrandt
In recent years, Saudi Arabia has experienced changes that have both altered the internal structure of the country and affected its foreign relations, and many works continue to propagate stereotypes about what the Kingdom was, while paying little attention to recent developments. This title is written in a clear, concise style that is approachable to the younger reader (but informative enough for older readers as well), and manages to steer an even course through a subject that is often treated with skepticism or defensiveness.
YOUTH NON-FICTION HONORABLE MENTION
Encyclopedia of Muslim-American History
by Edward E. Curtis IV, editor
This illustrated two-volume encyclopedia includes some 300 articles covering historical and contemporary issues, events, people, court cases, themes, and activism relating to Muslim- American history. The reference also includes 50 original documents, a master chronology and an extensive bibliography. Given the little that has been published on the topic, especially for a younger audience, this book is a welcome addition to the field.
Past recipients of awards can be viewed at the MEOC website: www.meoc.us. Nominations for the Middle East Book Award are made by publishers, educators, librarians and the general public. If you have a book you would like to nominate, please contact bpetzen@mepc.org.
