Picture Books
Youth Literature
Youth Nonfiction

(Winner 2009) The Butter Man by Elizabeth Alalou and Ali Alalou. While Nora waits for the couscous her father is cooking to be finished, he tells her a story about his youth in the high Atlas Mountains of Morocco.  Every day, he would wait for the butter man to come … surely today would be the day, wouldn’t it?  Along the way, we meet the villagers who inhabit his world, and get to know life in the Berber villages of Morocco.  Peppered with Amazigh (Berber) phrases, this story provides an introduction to Berber culture augmented by an informative note from the authors and an accompanying glossary.  The delightful illustrations round out this simple tale.

(Honorable Mention 2009) The Grand Mosque of Paris: A Story of How Muslims Rescued Jews During the Holocaust by Karen Gray Ruelle and Deborah Durland DeSaix. The Grand Mosque of Paris is based on a true story of how the North African Muslims who ran the Grand Mosque of Paris hid Jews away from the Nazi forces occupying France, frequently sweeping the city looking for Jews to send to the concentration camps in Eastern Europe. In a world in which Muslims are often stereotyped as terrorists, this story instead focuses on the many humanitarian deeds Muslims have been done and continue to do in the world. This is a must read in any study of the Holocaust by fourth-, fifth-, or sixth-graders. The illustrations are beautifully done, often using dark colors to emphasize the dire circumstances of people during those dark days.

(Winner 2008) Silent Music: A Story of Baghdad, written and illustrated by James Rumford. (New York: Roaring Brook Press, 2008).  This beautifully illustrated book tells the story of Ali, a young boy who lives in contemporary Baghdad.  Ali loves playing soccer and listening to loud music, but more than that, he loves writing calligraphy.  This celebration of writing and art invokes the story of the master calligrapher Yakut, who lived in Baghdad eight hundred years ago, also during a time of war.  This timeless story is sure to enchant students and parents alike.

(Honorable Mention 2008) Four Feet, Two Sandals by Karen Lynn Williams and Khadra Mohammed, illustrated by Doug Chayka.  (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdman’s Books for Young Readers, 2007). When aid workers deliver a shipment of clothes to their refugee camp, both Lina and Ferozi claim a sandal. When Ferozi’s grandmother points out the foolishness of wearing only one shoe, the girls decide to share the pair, each wearing them on alternating days.  This story will engage students and help to put a human face on the plight of refugee children—especially useful for students in communities with large populations of former refugees.

(Honorable Mention 2008) The Best Eid Ever by Asma Mobin-Uddin, illustrated by Laura Jacobsen (Honesdale, PA: Boyds Mills Press, 2007). The Eid al-Adha (“Feast of the Sacrifice”) is the biggest holiday in the Islamic calendar, but this year Aneesa’s parents are in far away Saudi Arabia making the pilgrimage to Mecca.  At the mosque, Aneesa meets two young girls, refugees who have just arrived in the U.S. from their war torn country.  Aneesa and her grandmother come up with a plan to help the girls celebrate and make it the best Eid ever.  This book will help students understand the importance of the Eid celebration, as well as the important themes of charity and helping the less fortunate.

(Winner 2007) One City, Two Brothers by Chris Smith, illustrated by Aurélia Fronty (Barefoot Books, 2007). Written by a former worker with UNICEF and Oxfam in Israel and the Palestinian Territories, this re-telling of a traditional story from the time of King Solomon serves as a metaphor for the “wish for the people of Israel and Palestine to find peace.” The story describes the founding of the city of Jerusalem as related by King Solomon, as he seeks to settle an inheritance dispute between two brothers. A brief footnote at the end describes the importance of Jerusalem in the Jewish, Christian, and Muslim faiths.

(Honorable Mention 2007) Count Your Way through Iran by Jim Haskins and Kathleen Benson, illustrated by Farida Zaman (Millrook Press, 2007). Using simple text, authors Jim Haskins and Kathleen Benson introduce elementary age readers to Iranian culture by choosing words that fit the numbers one (yek) through ten (dah) in Farsi. The book travels the length and breadth of the country, from Omar Khayyam’s famous four-line poems to the seven countries that border Iran. This book makes an excellent non-political introduction to the rich culture of Iran for younger readers.

(Honorable Mention 2007) The Rich Man and the Parrot, retold by Suzan Nadimi, illustrated by Ande Cook (Albert Whitman and Company, 2007). The Rich Man and the Parrot comes from the Masnavi, a work by the thirteenth-century Persian poet Mevlana Jalal ad-Din Rumi (1207-1273). In this simple tale, a parrot, the beloved possession of a wealthy merchant, tricks his owner into setting him free. While telling the tried-and-tested story of the small and weak triumphing over the large and powerful, this culturally rich story reads easily and sends a strong message. 2007 was declared “The Year of Rumi” by UNESCO in honor of the poet’s 800th birthday, and this is a wonderful way to introduce him to young readers.

(Winner 2006) Lugalbanda: The Boy Who Got Caught Up in a War by Kathy Henderson, with illustrations by Jane Ray (Candlewick Press, 2006). This five thousand-year-old story from the land of ancient Sumer, now Iraq, focuses on the boy Lugalbanda who is assumed to have been the father of Gilgamesh. Lugalbanda accompanies his older brothers and his father the king on a military campaign. When his father needs someone to travel alone through dangerous mountains to get assistance, Lugalbanda volunteers. His courage, honesty, and peace-seeking efforts bring honor to him and to his people. The story is based on Sumerian poems that were written in cuneiform on clay tablets that were found in the nineteenth century but were not translated until the 1970s. Author Kathy Henderson became aware of the poems in 2003, immediately before the US invasion of Iraq. In preparation for creating the rich illustrations on each page, illustrator Jane Ray studied Sumerian artifacts in the British Museum. This book warrants multiple readings and includes themes that will evoke connections over place and time.

(Honorable Mention 2006) Mystery Bottle by Kristen Balouch (Hyperion Books for Children, 2006). Mystery Bottle is a tale of fantasy and imagination as a little boy in New York blows into a bottle and is carried to Iran where his father was born. He meets his grandfather and learns a bit about life in the land of his heritage. Pages are filled with all the many questions the boy would like to ask. Immigrants of various backgrounds who have strong connections and family members living in other parts of the world will relate to the story. Written for primary level, this heart-warming tale and colorful illustrations will engage readers of all ages.

(Winner 2005) Alia’s Mission: Saving the Books of Iraq by Mark Alan Stamaty (Alfred A. Knopf, 2004). Inspired by a true story, Alia’s Mission recounts the heroic efforts of Alia Muhammad Baker—the chief librarian of the Central Library in Basra, Iraq—to preserve her country’s history and culture in the midst of war. When government officials ignored her pleas for help, Alia and her neighbors smuggled over 30,000 books to safety, where they remain until peace returns to her country. Her story—told here in graphic-novel style—will inspire children as well as adults.

(Honorable Mention 2005) The Librarian of Basra: A True Story from Iraq by Jeanette Winter (Harcourt Children’s Books, 2005). A hopeful and inspiring true story about a librarian in Basra, Iraq. Based on the same story as Alia’s Mission, this version of the story uses simpler language and beautiful color illustrations.

(Honorable Mention 2005) The Travels of Benjamin of Tudela: Through Three Continents in the Twelfth Century by Uri Shulevitz (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2005). Imagine a time when streets were narrow and dirty, towns were surrounded by walls, brigands lurked alongside roads that were treacherous and few, bridges over rivers were rare, and a man setting out on a journey never knew if he would return alive. It was the year 1159 when the medieval Jewish traveler Benjamin left his native town of Tudela in northern Spain on an adventure to see the places he had read about in the Bible. He traveled for fourteen years – from Rome to Constantinople to Jerusalem to Baghdad, among others – by ship, by cart, and on foot, enduring great hardships in his quest for knowledge of other places and people.

(Winner 2004) Muhammad, written and illustrated by Demi (Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2003). Demi portrays the Prophet Muhammad’s life in a richly colorful, two-dimensional Persian style, respecting Islamic tradition by omitting depictions of the Prophet and his family. The text introduces children to Muhammad in the way that Muslims perceive him: an honest, hardworking, and just leader, deserving of deep love and respect.

(Winner 2002) Celebrating Ramadan by Diane Hoyt Goldsmith, with photographs by Lawrence Migdale (Holiday House, 2002). This photo-essay follows a fourth-grade Muslim boy living in New Jersey as he celebrates the holy month of Ramadan. Text and photographs work well together to convey, in a very personal way, the daily life and community of a Muslim-American family.

(Winner 2001) Traveling Man: The Journey of Ibn Battuta, 1325-1354, written and illustrated by James Rumford (Houghton Mifflin Company, 2001). This is an introduction to the journeys of Ibn Battuta, a Moroccan scholar who set off to make the pilgrimage to Mecca in 1325 and didn’t return for 29 years. His travels took him through Africa, across the steppes of Central Asia, into India and China, and finally back to Morocco. Blue, red, and gold are prominent colors in the striking illustrations, which are further embellished with Arabic and Chinese calligraphy. Text, illustrations, and occasional maps are interwoven throughout for a very effective presentation.

(Winner 2000) The House of Wisdom by Florence Parry Heide and Judith Heide Gilliland (New York: DK Publishing, Inc., 1999). A picture book of highly original, exciting and illuminating illustrations by Mary Grandpre, with a well written, very sophisticated theme. A young boy in 9th-century Baghdad, inspired by his scholar father, goes on a search for knowledge and wisdom. The book sheds a bright light on the great work of scholars during this golden period of Islamic civilization.

(Honorable Mention 2000) The Storytellers by Ted Lewin (New York: Lothrop, Lee and Shepard Books, 1998). A gentle story with beautiful illustrations, telling of a young boy and his grandfather who carry on the tradition of storytelling in the market place of Fez, Morocco. A splendid book for showing modern Morocco to young people.

(Winner 2009) Wanting Mor by Rukhsana Khan.
Inspired by a true story, the winning title has all the makings of tragedy: the titular Mor (“Mother” in Dari) passes away as the story opens, leaving Jameela and her father to seek a new life in Kabul.  Jameela’s weak-willed father, dominated by his addiction to opium and the ambition of his new wife, is persuaded to abandon Jameela in the marketplace, and she is taken to an orphanage where she meets a similar group of abandoned children. Rather than succumb to the tragic overtones, however, Khan constructs a multi-layered, nuanced tale about a girl making her way in a patriarchal society, finding those who are willing to bend the rules, and figuring out how to use the strict societal norms to her advantage.  Much can be made of the differing forces and how they play off of each other (rural vs. urban; religious vs. secular; ethnic vs. ethnic; Afghan vs. American).  There is much here to explore.

(Honorable Mention 2009) A Bottle in the Gaza Sea by Valérie Zenatti.
Inspired by true events, A Bottle in the Gaza Sea is the story of Tal Levine, an Israeli teenager who longs to strike up a correspondence with “someone on the other side.” She convinces her brother, who is serving in the Israel Defense Forces along the Gaza border, to throw a bottle containing a message into the Gaza Sea in the hopes that someone will pick it up and respond. In this way, she meets “Gazaman,” a sarcastic Palestinian who, at first, only mocks her. As their correspondence continues, however, their casual e-mail exchange turns into something deeper. This “letter in a bottle” tale for the Web 2.0 generation does not shy away from deeper issues, especially in the wake of tragedies that afflict both Tal and Gazaman along the way. This timely, topical tale is sure to inspire a myriad of follow-up classroom activities.

HONORABLE MENTION: Extra Credit by Andrew Clements
This second honorable mention title is directed at younger readers in advanced elementary and middle school.  Abby Carson is a sixth grade student in rural Illinois whose head is everywhere but her schoolwork (“it’s not that she can’t do her schoolwork, it’s just that she doesn’t like doing it”).  In order to be spared the embarrassment of being left behind a grade, she agrees to an extra credit assignment involving writing to a pen pal in another country—and so she meets Sadeed Bayat and his sister Meriem in rural Afghanistan.  As their friendship flourishes, problems arise on both sides.  This is an appealing book with complex Afghan characters, providing a nuanced view even for younger readers.  As if this wasn’t enough, the title received enthusiastic praise from the Award Committee’s school aged children!  As with the other two recognized titles, there is much here to explore, and Extra Credit is sure to inspire much classroom discussion and follow up activities.

(Winner 2008) The Apprentice’s Masterpiece: A Story of Medieval Spain by Melanie Little (Annick Press, 2007). Set in Spain, 1485, this book tells the story of two teens in Cَordoba after the re-conquest: one is from a Jewish family that has converted to Christianity in the face of the Inquisition, the other a Muslim boy given to them as a slave. Through short passages written in verse, the tale of these of these two boys unfolds as they witness the end of Spain’s military campaign against the Moors and face their own uncertain futures in a country flush with nationalistic fervor that views them with suspicion. This book is simply written, but contains powerful and haunting imagery that will engage even adult readers.

(Winner 2007) Tasting the Sky: A Palestinian Childhood by Ibtisam Barakat (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2007). In this powerful, groundbreaking memoir, Ibtisam Barakat captures what it is like to be a child whose world is shattered by war. While Tasting the Sky deals with many specifically Palestinian issues, it also explores universal themes of conflict with parents and society, the impact of war on children, and living a positive life despite hardships and tragedies. If connecting with the reader is an important aspect of literature, then this book accomplishes that goal.

(Winner 2006) A Little Piece of Ground by Elizabeth Laird (Haymarket Books, 2006; originally published in England by Macmillan UK in 2003). A Little Piece of Ground focuses on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and hopes of easier times ahead through the eyes of a twelve-year-old Palestinian boy in Ramallah. Plot elements such as Karim’s aspirations, sibling rivalry, and efforts at maintaining friendships transcend the conflict and physical setting. Elizabeth Laird, with assistance from Palestinian author Sonia Nimr, also show Karim’s and his friends’ frustrations and fears as they manage daily life with curfews, unpredictability in access to school, and challenges in finding a place to play soccer. The strength of the family, relationships among various groups of Palestinians, and encounters with Israelis are presented with complexity and in ways that will cause readers to think about the violence in the conflict and the responses of those affected by it.

(Winner 2005) Figs and Fate by Elsa Marston (George Braziller, 2005). Five short stories about growing up in the Arab world today are told from the perspective of young Arab teens living in Syria, Lebanon, a Palestinian refugee camp, Egypt, and Iraq. Marston beautifully details the rich culture of these youths and their families, in the process helping to dispel negative stereotypes associated with young adults living in these societies. Readers will discover that their personal struggles, ideals, goals, and dreams are surprisingly familiar. This book has been republished with additional stories under the title Santa Claus in Baghdad by Indiana University Press.

(Winner 2003) 19 Varieties of Gazelle by Naomi Shihab Nye (Greenwillow Books, 2002). Acclaimed poet Nye compiled this moving collection of poignant moments and memories of Jerusalem, Palestine, and her family after September 11, 2001. It serves as a testimony to the painfulness of war, the yearning for peace, and the universal strength of the human spirit.

(Winner 2002) The Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis (Groundwood Books, 2002). Set in Afghanistan in the mid 1990s, much of the story takes place in the small apartment where a young girl named Parvana lives with her family, and in the marketplace where her father markets his skills as a reader and scribe. Through Parvana’s experiences, the impact of Taliban rule on everyday life is conveyed, as is the ability of the human spirit to confront and conquer adversity.

(Winner 2001) Samir and Yonatan by Daniella Carmi (Scholastic, 2000 [English edition]). Translated from Hebrew, this story is told in the first-person by Samir, a Palestinian boy who finds himself awaiting surgery in an Israeli hospital. The relationships that develop between Samir and some of the Israeli children in the ward testify to the possibilities for individuals to transcend the violence around them and make peace.

(Winner 2000) Habibi by Naomi Shihab Nye (New York: Simon and Schuster, 1997). A story of 14-year old Liyana, who moved from Missouri to her father’s hometown of Jerusalem. At first it is a most unwelcome change for this American teenager and her family. Gradually, through new friends and relatives, she comes to an understanding of her father’s culture, and finds her place in it. This is a well written, very interesting novel, which holds one’s attention throughout and in a very realistic way portrays the issues that confront Jews and Arabs in Israel and the Palestinian territories.

(Winner 2008) Extraordinary Women from the Muslim World by Natalie Maydell and Sep Riahi, paintings by Heba Amin (Lancaster, PA: Global Content Ventures, 2007). This encyclopedic book provides short pieces on a wide variety of notable women from throughout Islamic history.  From wives of Muhammad to an African poetess to a Turkish fighter pilot to an Indonesian freedom fighter to an Egyptian singer, this book dispels nearly every stereotype about Muslim women, and introduces many famous female role models to a younger audience for the first time.

(Winner–tie 2007) Iraq (Modern World Nations Series) by Dale Lightfoot, series editor Charles F. Gritzner (Chelsea House Publishers, 2007). This book on Iraq is clearly written, well organized, and nicely illustrated (great photos and maps). Written by a former contractor who worked with Iraqi universities to rebuild the country’s educational program, this book gives a thorough overview of Iraq’s culture, geography, and history, but also touches on popular culture, sports, and youth culture. These flourishes that could only be written by someone who has been there give the text greater authenticity and place it in a category over many of the other resources rushed to print after the 2003 U.S. invasion. This entry in the series is a worthy standout.

(Winner–tie 2007) Opposing Viewpoints: Iran (Opposing Viewpoints Series), Laura K. Egendorf, editor (Greenhaven Press, 2006). Part of the critically acclaimed Opposing Viewpoints Series, this volume dealing with Iran continues the series’ tradition of using short primary documents to encourage readers to familiarize themselves with opposing answers to a set of posed questions like “Is Iran a Threat to Global Security?” and “What is the Future of Iran?” The strength of the opposing viewpoints series is that it encourages its readers to understand both sides of an argument, rather than creating an arbitrary middle ground
or attempting to pass off one set of views as “right” and the opposing side as “wrong.” An excellent resource for secondary level educators that can also be easily appreciated by the lay reader looking for more information on this timely subject.

(Winner 2006) The Illustrator’s Notebook by Mohieddin Ellabbad (Groundwood Books, 2006). The famous Egyptian illustrator Mohieddin Ellabbad presents his “notebook” which shares how he grew up and took on his profession. He uses text, photographs, drawings, and Arabic script to communicate his aspirations as an artist. Most compelling are the questions he raises for readers, for example, “Where do stories come from?” and “How does the way you feel affect the way you draw?” Younger readers will be delighted by how he combines images and shows the change in his country over time. In this wonderfully creative and unique book, Ellabbad offers Egyptian history, breaks stereotypes, shares his personal story, and inspires readers to reflect upon their own experiences.

(Honorable Mention 2006) Great Muslim Philosophers and Scientists in the Middle Ages series (Rosen Publishing Group, 2006). This six-part series includes:

• Albucasis (Abu Al-Qasim Al-Zahrawi): Renowned Muslim Surgeon of the Tenth Century by Fred Ramen

• Averroes (Ibn Rushd): Muslim Scholar, Philosopher, and Physician of the Twelfth Century by Liz Sonneborn

• Avicenna (Ibn Sina): Muslim Physician and Philosopher of the Eleventh Century by Aisha Khan

• Al-Biruni: Master Astronomer and Muslim Scholar of the Eleventh Century by Bill Scheppler

• Al-Khwarizmi: The Inventor of Algebra by Corona Brezina

• Al-Kindi: The Father of Arab Philosophy by Tony Abboud

The many contributions of Muslim scholars to science, philosophy, and the development of knowledge across numerous disciplines are presented in this powerful series. These richly illustrated books provide excellent reference sources and interesting biographical reading for intermediate level students and above. Although each book focuses on a particular individual, linkages are made among the featured scientists and philosophers as with others in different eras and regions. The availability of such a series is highly significant at a time when US schools are seeking resources that assist in teaching about non-Western history, religions, and cultural groups.

(Honorable Mention 2006) Lebanon A to Z: A Middle Eastern Mosaic by Marijean Boueri, Jill Boutros, and Joanne Sayad; illustrator Tatiana Sabbagh (Publishing Works, 2005). Kareem, an eleven year-old Lebanese boy, and his friends of different ethnic and religious backgrounds proudly introduce readers to many aspects of their country. Organized by the letters of the English alphabet, topics such as Diversity, Gibran, Olives, Phoenicians, and War are some of the themes presented. The languages of Lebanon figure prominently as Arabic and French words are interspersed throughout the text. Younger readers will learn much from the detailed and colorful illustrations by Tatiana Sabbagh that feature images of Lebanese history, culture, and daily life.

(Winner 2005) Historical Atlas of Islam by Malise Ruthven and Azim Nanji (Harvard University Press, 2004). This beautifully illustrated history of Islam provides a broad overview of the economic, social, political, and cultural history of the Islamic world from the birth of the Prophet Muhammad to the present. Brief essays address pivotal moments and movements and eras, and color maps and photographs effectively complement the text throughout. Clear and concise, The Historical Atlas of Islam serves as an excellent introduction to Islamic civilization.

(Winner 2004) Teen Life in the Middle East, edited by Ali Akbar Mahdi (Greenwood Press, 2003). This compilation offers insights into the interests, family and social lives, religious practices, and culture of teens in twelve profiled countries.

(Honorable Mention 2004) A History of the Muslim World to 1405: The Making of a Civilization by Vernon O. Egger (Prentice Hall, 2003) was accorded honorable mention for its clear style in presenting sophisticated themes, avoidance of clichés common in introductory works, and accessibility to the high school audience.

(Winner 2004: Younger Reference) Mosque by David Macaulay (Houghton Mifflin Company, 2003). Macauley’s masterful work provides step-by-step details and diagrams of the construction of a fictional sixteenth century Ottoman mosque. As the author walks the reader through the engineering and artistry of the structure, he reveals the mosque’s diverse functions in the community.

(Honorable Mention 2004: Younger Reference) Witness to History: Afghanistan by David Downing (Heinemann Library, 2004). This work is for clarifying the many perspectives and experiences in a conflict that, while much in the news, remains little understood among Americans.

(Winner 2003) Women in the Middle East: Tradition and Change by Ramsay Harik and Elsa Marston (revised edition, Franklin Watts, 2003). This comprehensive look at Middle Eastern women and their struggle to incorporate both tradition and change in their daily lives is a major contribution to resources on this topic of wide interest. Of particular note, the revised edition includes two chapters that cover the experience of women in Afghanistan and women’s health issues region-wide.

(Winner 2001) Islam by Sue Penney (“World Beliefs and Cultures” series, Heinemann Library, 2001). Written for the upper elementary level, this reference clearly and accurately describes Islam’s origins, the development of Islamic civilization, and the religion’s basic beliefs and practices. Sections on family life and celebrations help convey the role of Islam in the everyday lives of real people.

Award recipients were announced at the MEOC annual business meeting at the Middle East Studies Association conference held in Washington DC in December 2011.

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 characterization, plot, and appeal for the intended audience. For this award, the Middle East is defined as the Arab World, Iran, Israel, Turkey, and Afghanistan.

The 2011 MEOC award recipients are:

PICTURE BOOK

WINNER: Mirror by Jeannie Baker, Candlewick Press, 2010.

Jeannie Baker’s Mirror uses creative binding to show the lives of Moroccan and Australian families side-by-side.  Despite their differences, both families have similar routines and needs, therefore, the metaphor of a mirror. An introduction and author’s notes are provided in Arabic and English, however, the textless story is told through exquisitely detailed collages. Reviewers were highly impressed with the message, layout, and subtle teachings of Mirror with its opportunities for comparison, cultural analysis, and countering stereotypes.

HONORABLE MENTION: The Secret Message by Mina Javaherbin, illustrated by Bruce Whatley, Disney/Hyperion Books, 2010.

Based on a story by Rumi, Mina Javaherbin’s The Secret Message describes an encaged parrot who finds a way to freedom and enlightens his keeper.  The book will appeal to younger readers through its gorgeous presentation and a tale that could lead to discussion of the Silk Road and other folktales.  Reviewers commented that the story makes the Silk Road personal, raises questions about captivity, loyalty, and fairness, and makes Rumi relevant for 21st century youth. [MEOC presented a 2007 book award to The Rich Man and the Parrot by Suzan Nadimi, which is based on the same story by Rumi. These two books might make a nice comparative set for teaching about other popular and often re-told stories from the Middle East region.]

HONORABLE MENTION:  Time to Pray by Maha Addasi, illustrated by Ned Gannon, Boyds Mills Press, 2010.

Time to Pray by Maha Addasi provides clear explanation of Muslim prayers and aspects of Islamic practice such as performing ablutions prior to prayer and praying five times daily.  The story revolves around a loving relationship between a girl and her grandmother and is enhanced by beautiful illustrations, including calligraphy. Reviewers commented that Time to Pray helps readers to learn about Islam in the rhythm of daily life, has strong educational value, and is a good story with females as the main characters.

YOUTH LITERATURE

WINNER: Where the Streets Had a Name by Randa Abdel-Fattah, Scholastic Press, 2010.

Abdel-Fattah’s Where the Streets Had a Name offers an intriguing story set in today’s Palestine, where political realities press in on daily life. The narrative is real, sensitive, and often very funny. The young main characters (both Muslim and Christian) are well-developed and easy to relate to, and their adventures on the way to Jerusalem will appeal to young readers. One teacher reviewer commented, “I appreciated the fact that the author’s telling showed multiple perspectives on the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, but did so without sounding preachy from any one perspective.”

NON-FICTION

WINNER: The Genius of Islam: How Muslims Made the Modern World by Bryn Barnard, Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2011.

The Genius of Islam: How Muslims Made the Modern World by Bryn Barnard is an excellent introduction to the inventions and innovations of the medieval Muslim world. Rather than attempting a thorough chronicling of the subject, Barnard highlights a few representative topics – for example, optical science, the development of paper, and calligraphy. Late elementary, middle school, and even older readers will love the book’s wonderful illustrations and organization into short, manageable topics.

WINNER: How to Understand Israel in 60 Days or Less by Sarah Glidden, Vertigo, 2011.

Sarah Glidden’s How To Understand Israel in 60 Days or Less is a graphic “novel”/true account in which the author, a Jewish American, describes her heritage trip to Israel and her attempts to come to grips with the complex social and political situation in that country. High school readers will appreciate the colorful illustrations and the travel story; more discerning readers will also respect the thoughtful, balanced look at modern Israel.

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.

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 characterization, plot, and appeal for the intended audience. For this award, the Middle East is defined as the Arab World, Iran, Israel, Turkey, and Afghanistan.
The 2009 MEOC award recipients are:

PICTURE BOOK WINNER: The Butter Man by Elizabeth Alalou and Ali Alalou
While Nora waits for the couscous her father is cooking to be finished, he tells her a story about his youth in the high Atlas Mountains of Morocco.  Every day, he would wait for the butter man to come … surely today would be the day, wouldn’t it?
Along the way, we meet the villagers who inhabit his world, and get to know life in the Berber villages of Morocco.  Peppered with Amazigh (Berber) phrases, this story provides an introduction to Berber culture augmented by an informative note from the authors and an accompanying glossary.
The delightful illustrations round out this simple tale that landed at the top of our list this year.

HONORABLE MENTION: The Grand Mosque of Paris: A Story of How Muslims Rescued Jews During the Holocaust by Karen Gray Ruelle and Deborah Durland DeSaix
The Grand Mosque of Paris is based on a true story of how North African Muslims who ran the Grand Mosque of Paris hid Jews from the Nazi forces occupying France, frequently sweeping the city looking for Jews to send to the concentration camps in Eastern Europe.
In a world in which Muslims are often stereotyped as terrorist, this story instead focuses on the many humanitarian deeds Muslims have been done and continue to do in the world. This is a must read in any study of the Holocaust by fourth-, fifth-, or sixth-graders. The illustrations are beautifully done often using dark colors to emphasize the dire circumstances of people during those dark days.

YOUTH LITERATURE WINNER: Wanting Mor by Rukhsana Khan
Inspired by a true story, the winning title has all the makings of tragedy: the titular Mor (“Mother” in Dari) passes away as the story opens, leaving Jameela and her father to seek a new life in Kabul.  Jameela’s weak willed father, dominated by his addiction to opium and the will of his new wife, is persuaded to abandon Jameela in the marketplace, and she is taken to an orphanage where she meets a similar group of abandoned children.
Rather than succumb to the tragic overtones, however, Khan constructs a multi-layered, nuanced tale about a girl making her way in a patriarchal society, finding those who are willing to bend the rules, and figuring out how to use the strict societal norms to her advantage.
Much can be made of the differing forces and how they play off of each other (rural vs. urban; religious vs. secular; ethnic vs. ethnic; Afghan vs. American).  There is a great deal here to explore.

HONORABLE MENTION: A Bottle in the Gaza Sea by Valérie Zenatti
Also inspired by true events, A Bottle in the Gaza Sea is the story of Tal Levine, an Israeli teenager who longs to strike up a correspondence with “someone on the other side.” She convinces her brother, who is serving in the Israel Defense Forces along the Gaza border, to throw a bottle containing a message into the Gaza Sea in the hopes that someone will pick it up and respond.
In this way, she meets “Gazaman,” a sarcastic Palestinian who, at first, only mocks her.  As their correspondence continues, however, their casual e-mail exchange turns into something deeper.
This “letter in a bottle” tale for the Web 2.0 generation does not shy away from deeper issues, especially in the wake of tragedies that afflict both Tal and Gazaman along the way.  This timely, topical tale is sure to inspire a myriad of follow-up classroom activities.

HONORABLE MENTION: Extra Credit by Andrew Clements
This second honorable mention title is directed at readers in upper elementary and middle school. Abby Carson is a sixth-grade student in rural Illinois whose head is everywhere but her schoolwork (“it’s not that she can’t do her schoolwork, it’s just that she doesn’t like doing it”).
In order to be spared the embarrassment of being left behind a grade, she agrees to an extra credit assignment involving writing to a pen pal in another country—and so she meets Sadeed Bayat and his sister Meriem in rural Afghanistan.  As their friendship flourishes, problems arise on both sides.
This is an appealing book with complex Afghan characters, providing a nuanced view even for younger readers.  As if this wasn’t enough, the title received enthusiastic praise from the Award Committee’s school aged children!  As with the other two recognized titles, there is much here to explore, and Extra Credit is sure to inspire much classroom discussion and follow up activities.

YOUTH NON-FICTION
WINNER: The Iranian Revolution by Brendan January
Part of the Pivotal Moments That Changed the World series, this entry focusing on the Iranian revolution of 1979 won much praise from the Book Award Committee for its thoroughness, clear writing, and the use of supplemental primary sources.
Instead of succumbing to the “clash of civilizations” argument, author Brendan January instead delves into the deeper causes of the Iranian revolution, and brings the story forward to describe how the forces that triggered the revolution continue to play out in the troubled relationship between the United States and Iran today.  An excellent addition to any middle- or high school library, this book is a welcome entry to the corpus of research literature for younger people.

HONORABLE MENTION: The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Arabia by Mary Beardwood
This detailed encyclopedia entry focuses on the geography, cultures, and, especially, the flora and fauna of the Arabian Peninsula. With many photographs, charts, maps, figures, asides, this exhaustive and beautifully illustrated text will answer every question you never knew that you had about Arabia on subjects from pearling to fossils, migratory birds to the many uses of the date palm. The sheer breadth of information will eliminate the narrow geographic and social stereotypes so many students have about the Middle East.

HONORABLE MENTION: The Middle East Today: Political, Geographical & Cultural Perspectives by Dona J. Stewart
This textbook provides a clearly written, concise introduction to the modern Middle East. Short, easy-to-digest pieces are augmented by textboxes and maps, exploring all aspects of the region from politics and government, to history, geography, and various cultural perspectives.
While perhaps too advanced for some high school students, this book would find a home in Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate classes or libraries meant to support them, and is also suitable for many university level survey courses on the Middle East.

The rise of a plethora of satellite television channels, of cell phone usage, and of access to and use of the internet have all had profound social, cultural and political ramifications in the many states of the region. Each new technology has given the populations of the Middle East both access to new sources of information (and entertainment) and channels through which they can themselves add input back into the social network.
Taken all together, these new media technologies have profoundly changed the information landscape and the social and economic infrastructures of the entire region, challenging the control that both socially conservative and politically authoritarian governments have sought to maintain over their citizenry.
If there is one statistic that shows how quickly these new technologies can be adopted when they are available, it’s this one: According to Internet World Statistics, between 2000 and 2009, the rate of growth of the Internet in the Middle East has been 1,360%. The average in the rest of the world has been 362%. Almost 48 million people in the region are online out of a population of 202.5 million–about 24%.
Blogs are also enormously popular. In a June 2009 study, the Berkman Center for the Internet and Society estimated that there are 35, 000 blogs written in Arabic that are updated on a regular basis. But that doesn’t come close to the number of blogs written in Farsi–about 70,000. In fact, Farsi is now one of the Internet’s 10 most popular blogging languages.

Satellite TV Breaks Open Communications
Even more than the Internet, however, satellite TV has played an increasingly important role in creating more open societies in the Middle East. For instance, the Committee to Protect Journalists noted earlier this year that almost three-quarters of Egyptians have access to satellite signals.
“Three years ago, it was the terrestrial TV broadcasting that influenced Egyptian people, but now 70 percent of Egyptian people watch satellite TV stations,” said Mahmoud Saad, host of the popular program “Al-Beit Beitak” (My House Is Your House), which is privately produced and airs on one of Egypt’s state channels. “It takes only 20 Egyptian pounds to get the cable that gives access to these satellite TV stations. So the government no longer exerts media influence. That’s why it’s trying to regain control.”
At the Arab Advisors sixth annual Media and Telecom Convergence Conference held in Amman, Jordan in June 2009, delegates discussed the rise in the availability of free satellite channels in the region, which have basically undermined the influence of terrestrial stations, almost all of which are controlled by local governments. According to a May report from Radio Nederlands, which quoted the chief executive of an Arab satellite company in Abu Dhabi, satellite TV penetration in the Middle East, North Africa and southwest Asia is about 70%.
Aware that their influence is under direct attack, local regimes have tried to stem the rising tide. In February of 2008, 21 information ministers of the Arab League agreed on a new charter which requires satellite TV broadcasting “not to offend leaders in the Arab world” and to “protect Arab identity from the harmful effects of globalization.” The lone non-signatory to the charter was the minister from Qatar–home of Al Jazeera. The government of Iraq did not send a representative to the meeting.
This charter is aimed in particular at news channels such as Al-Jazeera and Al-Arabiya, which have brought unfiltered news critical of Arab regimes into homes all over the region. More important, these channels operate from bases in the region rather than from Europe or America, which gives them enormous credibility with local audiences.
The biggest pushback has come in Egypt, where Al Jazeera and local private satellite channels have provided extensive coverage of “sensitive topics such as the rising cost of food, a lack of public services and drinking water, and the hundreds of strikes, sit-ins, and protests that have rocked the country over the last two years.” Enormously popular talk-shows on subjects such as women’s rights and sexuality in Islamic culture have also come under attack from government and religious authorities. Egyptian police have frequently raided the offices of local production companies, often charging them with “not having the proper permission to broadcast.”
Experts believe the next year will show just how much Arab governments can put the lid on this kind of coverage, but others think it may be too late. The region’s demand for satellite TV, for both news and entertainment, may be greater than the authorities’ ability to control it.

The Cell Phone Revolution: Can You Hear Me Now?
In the Middle East as in much of what the west calls “the developing world,” the cost of landline telephones is high and the infrastructure woefully insufficient to meet demand. Therefore it isn’t surprising that the use of cell phones has grown rapidly. According to data compiled by Wireless Intelligence in 2006-2007, “the Middle East has surged to become the second-fastest growing mobile phone market in the world. With penetration set to cross the 50% mark [by 2nd Q in 2007], over 150 million handsets in circulation and a 30% growth rate in 2006, the Middle East is now only trailing Africa as the fastest-growing market.”  Three countries—Turkey, Iran and Saudi Arabia—represent about 70% of the total connections in the Middle East.
This has had dramatic effects in both personal and political communication.
A dramatic recent example of the use of cell phones came during the June 2009 protests against the allegedly fraudulent results of the Iranian presidential election. Young Iranians took advantage of their cell phones’ ability to send text and SMS messages to a large group of people quickly to organize extremely mobile demonstrations to keep ahead of the police. Protesters also used their cell phone cameras to record images of police brutality that were beamed over the Internet to the rest of the Iran and the world. Although the Iranian authorities tried to limit the use of cell phones by shutting down SMS services, savvy cell phone users were often able to find ways around the restrictions.
It’s not the first time that cell phones proved to be a problem for a repressive regime. The flashpoint demonstrations in Egypt in 2008 were often organized in the same way.
A completely different use of cell phone technology has arisen in Saudi Arabia. Strict rules on meetings between men and women, often enforced by religious police, have been sidestepped by cell phones, particularly those with Bluetooth technology. A 2006 Washington Post article looked at how this technology was challenging the strict Saudi cultural norms:
In the past five years, the number of cell phone users in this country of 27 million people has increased from 1.7 million to 14.5 million, according to industry analysts. Cell phones permit young people to talk discreetly without a parent listening. Bluetooth, which allows high-speed transfer of photos, videos and text messages to others within a range of about 15 yards, enables them to communicate without even knowing each other’s phone numbers.
Before cell phones and Bluetooth, if a young man wanted to give a woman his phone number or attempted to make personal contact, he had few and risky options. He might toss a cassette tape through the window of her car, or wait for her outside a shop and drop a piece of paper with his phone number on the street for her to pick up. Now, young people can send numbers and pictures of each other as they travel near each other at high speeds, or walk by each other in the mall or on the street.
But the technology is not without its dangers. Some women are being blackmailed by men who have obtained their phone numbers or pictures from cell phones or from private computers or off the Internet. Often the blackmail takes the form of a threat to “ruin a woman’s reputation by telling or showing her family scandalous information” if she doesn’t pay a considerable sum of money to the extortionist.  Victims typically range in age between 16 and 39.
But many Saudi women are fighting back. Some are reporting the threats to authorities, who will “forgive” the young women for making a mistake and then go after the blackmailer. Some women are even starting their own businesses that will protect and repair women’s computers, since male computer technicians have frequently been those who have take images off a woman’s computer to blackmail her.

Online to What End? Blogs, Facebook, MySpace and Twitter
Meanwhile, the growth of the blogoshere and social networking in the Middle East has also provided new outlets for expression. In particular, the use of online sites like Facebook has grown rapidly across the region, particularly but not exclusively by young people. In fact, regimes, conservatives, radical Islamists and progressives all use it. The growth in the number of mobile phones in the region has also contributed to the growth of social networking, since many people update their pages on networking sites via cell phone.
The blog site Social Networking Around the World reported in 2008 that there were 27 local social networks operating in the Middle East. The largest number were “friendship” sites, with video and photo sharing networks the second most popular.  Meanwhile, all this social networking is making cell phone companies and others, like the music industry, a lot of money.
As noted above, blogging also plays a key role in the Middle East. Bloggers like Waed Abbas in Egypt have been at the forefront for social change in their countries. Abbas started his blog in 2005, but it didn’t really take off until 2006 when he posted video footage of police torture. Visitors flocked to his site and eventually several police officers were convicted based on the video evidence provided by Abbas and others. Abbas has become the best-known and most influential blogger in the Middle East, and also has a YouTube channel and Twitter feed.
The reaction of local authorities has often been harsh, While Abbas has not been arrested yet, many of his fellow Egyptian bloggers have seen jailed by authorities, sometimes for lengthy sentences. Abbas has been detained, questioned many times, had his laptop confiscated and been denounced in government-controlled TV as a criminal. Other regimes have also used a variety of penalties to try and control bloggers. Syrian and Iran, for instance, have extended repressive laws (in which damaging “the good name” of the republic is a crime) to all forms of electronic media.
But social networking provides a threat to these regimes unlike anything they’ve seen in the past. In most countries in the Arab world, Facebook is now one of the 10 most-visited Web sites, and in Egypt it ranks third, after Google and Yahoo. Many of its Middle Eastern users are advocating political change via the site.

BBC Monitoring reports in 2007 that “ …in some Middle Eastern countries where governments’ grip on the media is tight Facebook has acquired social and political significance. For many Arab governments it is proving to be a challenge. Syria has taken the lead in blocking the website. Users in Gulf countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia are worried that their authorities could follow suit. In other Middle Eastern societies with a tradition of a free but fragmented media, like Lebanon, Facebook has been turned into a political platform by supporters of rival parties.”
In Egypt, the April 6th Youth Movement Facebook group has provided a study in how young, educated Egyptians are using social networking to criticize the government. Started spontaneously in April of 2008, it quickly grew to 70,000 members. In January of this year, journalist Samantha Shapiro wrote about the group in the New York Times magazine:

When I spoke earlier this month to Samer Shehata, an assistant professor of Arab politics at Georgetown University, he said that it was no surprise that young Egyptians have chosen to put their political energy into a group that is not part of the Egyptian political process. “The state of the opposition in Egypt is so pathetic that existing parties have lost all credibility,” he told me. “They’ve been around for a long time and produced nothing.” The April 6 Facebook group, he said, “has credibility because it hasn’t sold out to the regime or played the pathetic, limited game of politics the regime engages in.”

In Iran, despite or all the efforts undertaken by authorities prior to the June elections to limit electronic media (such as shutting down several social networking sites and online news outlets seen as favorable to opposition candidates and jamming texting and SMS services on election day itself), people used tools like Twitter and Facebook to keep the world up-to-date on what was happening. In particular, the death of a young student shot by a police sniper was captured and sent out over Facebook, galvanized people in Iran and around the world to protest government actions.
But social networking is valued not only for political openness, but also for what it allows in the cultural sphere. Women’s groups, for instance, have praised the use of blogs and Facebook for allowing women to speak in public on any issue. The Internet has given many women in the Middle East an outlet to connect to others that is often much more difficult in the physical world.
Another popular Internet-based tool increasingly used for expression, both political and cultural, is YouTube. Countries like Iran have had an explosion of forbidden music online, starting with the group O-hum and expanding to include bands exploring rock, rap, heavy metal, death metal and other genres.
Not all uses of YouTube in the Middle East are focused on criticism of local regimes.  Queen Rania of Jordan has started a YouTube channel to combat stereotypes about Muslims, particularly in Europe and America.
So what’s the future of these new technologies in the Middle East? The incredible growth of the Internet and free satellite TV shows that it will be very difficult for authoritarian regimes to totally block all of these new forms of expression. Events in Iran and Egypt in particular have shown that expression of political and cultural freedom can have an effect on the ruling powers. On the other hand, US-owned companies like Yahoo! and Google have shown an uncomfortable tendency to shut down outspoken political sites at the behest of local governments in order to preserve business connections. How these competing tensions will be resolved remains to be seen. The next year should provide many clues to the long-term effects of all of these new technologies.

PICTURE BOOK CATEGORY
(Winner) Silent Music: A Story of Baghdad, written and illustrated by James Rumford. (New York: Roaring Brook Press, 2008).  This beautifully illustrated book tells the story of Ali, a young boy who lives in contemporary Baghdad.  Ali loves playing soccer and listening to loud music, but more than that, he loves writing calligraphy.  This celebration of writing and art invokes the story of the master calligrapher Yakut, who lived in Baghdad eight hundred years ago, also during a time of war.  This timeless story is sure to enchant students and parents alike.

(Honorable Mention) Four Feet, Two Sandals, written by Karen Lynn Williams and Khadra Mohammed, illustrated by Doug Chayka.  (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdman’s Books for Young Readers, 2007). When aid workers deliver a shipment of clothes to their refugee camp, both Lina and Ferozi claim a sandal. When Ferozi’s grandmother points out the foolishness of wearing only one shoe, the girls decide to share the pair, each wearing them on alternating days.  This story will engage students and help to put a human face on the plight of refugee children—especially useful for students in communities with large populations of former refugees.

(Honorable Mention) The Best Eid Ever, written by Asma Mobin-Uddin, illustrated by Laura Jacobsen.  (Honesdale, PA: Boyds Mills Press, 2007).  The Eid al-Adha (“Feast of the Sacrifice”) is the biggest holiday in the Islamic calendar, but this year Aneesa’s parents are in far away Saudi Arabia making the pilgrimage to Mecca.  At the mosque, Aneesa meets two young girls, refugees who have just arrived in the U.S. from their war torn country.  Aneesa and her grandmother come up with a plan to help the girls celebrate and make it the best Eid ever.  This book will help students understand the importance of the Eid celebration, as well as the important themes of charity and helping the less fortunate.

YOUTH LITERATURE
(Winner) The Apprentice’s Masterpiece: A Story of Medieval Spain, by Melanie Little. (Annick Press, 2007).  Set in Spain, 1485, this book tells the story of two teens in Córdoba after the reconquest: one is from a Jewish family that has converted to Christianity in the face of the Inquisition, the other a Muslim boy given to them as a slave.  Through short passages written in verse, the tale of these of these two boys unfolds as they witness the end of Spain’s military campaign against the Moors and face their own uncertain futures in a country flush with nationalistic fervor that views them with suspicion. This book is simply written, but contains powerful and haunting imagery that will engage even adult readers.

YOUTH NON-FICTION

(Winner) Extraordinary Women from the Muslim World, by Natalie Maydell and Sep Riahi, paintings by Heba Amin. (Lancaster, PA: Global Content Ventures, 2007).  This encyclopedic book provides short pieces on a wide variety of notable women from throughout Islamic history.  From wives of Muhammad to an African poetess to a Turkish fighter pilot to an Indonesian freedom fighter to an Egyptian singer, this book dispels nearly every stereotype about Muslim women, and introduces many famous female role models to a younger audience for the first time.

PICTURE BOOK CATEGORY
(Winner) One City, Two Brothers, written by Chris Smith, illustrated by Aurélia Fronty (Barefoot Books,2007)
Written by a former worker with UNICEF and Oxfam in Israel and the Palestinian Territories, this re-telling of a traditional
story from the time of King Solomon serves as a metaphor for the “wish for the people of Israel and Palestine to find peace.” The story describes the founding of the city of Jerusalem as related by King Solomon, as he seeks to settle an
inheritance dispute between two brothers. A brief footnote at the end describes the importance of Jerusalem in the Jewish, Christian, and Muslim faiths.

(Honorable Mention) Count Your Way through Iran, by Jim Haskins and Kathleen Benson, illustrated by Farida Zaman (Millrook Press, 2007).
Using simple text, authors Jim Haskins and Kathleen Benson introduce elementary age readers to Iranian culture by choosing words that fit the numbers one (yek) through ten (dah) in Farsi. The book travels the length and breadth of the
country, from Omar Khayyam’s famous four line poems to the seven countries that border Iran. This book makes an excellent non-political introduction to the rich culture of Iran for younger readers.

(Honorable Mention) The Rich Man and the Parrot, retold by Suzan Nadimi, illustrated by Ande Cook (Albert Whitman and Company, 2007).
The Rich Man and the Parrot comes from the Masnavi, a work by the thirteenth-century Persian poet Mevlana Jalal ad-Din Rumi (1207-1273). In this simple tale, a parrot, the beloved possession of a wealthy merchant, tricks his owner into
setting him free. While telling the tried-and-tested story of the small and weak triumphing over the large and powerful, this culturally rich story reads easily and sends a strong message. 2007 has been declared “The Year of Rumi” by
UNESCO in honor of the poet’s 800th birthday, and this is a wonderful way to introduce him to young readers.

YOUTH LITERATURE
(Winner) Tasting the Sky: A Palestinian Childhood, by Ibtisam Barakat (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2007).
In this powerful, groundbreaking memoir, Ibtisam Barakat captures what it is like to be a child whose world is shattered by war. While Tasting the Sky deals with many specifically Palestinian issues, it also explores universal themes of conflict
with parents and society, the impact of war on children, and living a positive life despite hardships and tragedies. If connecting with the reader is an important aspect of literature, then this book accomplishes that goal.

YOUTH NON-FICTION
(Winner–tie) Iraq (Modern World Nations Series) by Dale Lightfoot, series editor Charles F. Gritzner (Chelsea House Publishers, 2007).
Part of the Modern Nations Series by Chelsea House Publishers, this entry on Iraq is clearly written, well organized, and nicely illustrated (great photos and maps). Written by a former contractor who worked with Iraqi universities to rebuild
the country’s educational program, this book gives a thorough overview of Iraq’s culture, geography, and history, but also touches on popular culture, sports, and youth culture. These flourishes that could only be written by someone who has
been there give the text greater authenticity and place it in a category over many of the other resources rushed to print after the 2003 U.S. invasion. This entry in the series is a worthy standout.

(Winner–tie) Opposing Viewpoints: Iran (Opposing Viewpoints Series), Laura K. Egendorf, editor (Greenhaven Press, 2006).
Part of the critically acclaimed Opposing Viewpoints Series, this volume dealing with Iran continues the series’ tradition of using short primary documents to encourage readers to familiarize themselves with opposing answers to a posed
question: Is Iran a Threat to Global Security? What is the Future of Iran? The strength of the opposing viewpoints series is that it encourages its readers to understand both sides of an argument, rather than creating an arbitrary middle ground
or attempting to pass off one set of views as “right” and the opposing side as “wrong.” An excellent resource for secondary level educators that can also be easily appreciated by the lay reader looking for more information on this
timely subject.

Lugalbanda, The Boy Who Got Caught Up in a Warby Kathy Henderson (PICTURE BOOK);  A Little Piece of Ground by Elizabeth Laird (YOUTH LITERATURE); and The Illustrator’s Notebook by Mohieddin Ellabbad (YOUTH NON-FICTION).  Honorable Mention awards include: Mystery Bottle by Kristen Balouch (PICTURE BOOK); Great Muslim Philosophers and Scientists in the Middle Ages series by The Rosen Publishing Group (YOUTH NON-FICTION); and Lebanon A-B-C: A Middle Eastern Mosaic by Marijean Boueri, Jill Boutros, and Joanne Sayad (YOUTH NON-FICTION).

PICTURE BOOK AWARD:  Lugalbanda, The Boy Who Got Caught Up in a War by Kathy Henderson, illustrator Jane Ray (Candlewick Press, 2006)

This five thousand-year-old story from the land of ancient Sumer, now Iraq, focuses on the boy Lugalbanda who is assumed to have been the father of Gilgamesh.  Lugalbanda accompanies his older brothers and father the king on a military campaign. When his father needs someone to travel alone through dangerous mountains to get assistance, Lugalbanda volunteers.  His courage, honesty, and peace-seeking efforts bring honor to him and to his people. The story is based on Sumerian poems that were written in cuneiform on clay tablets that were found in the 19^th Century  but were not translated until the 1970s. Author Kathy Henderson became aware of the poems in 2003, immediately before the U.S. invasion of Iraq. In preparation for creating the rich illustrations on each page, illustrator Jane Ray studied Sumerian artifacts in the British Museum. This book warrants multiple readings and includes themes that will evoke connections over place and time.

PICTURE BOOK HONORABLE MENTION:  Mystery Bottle by Kristen Balouch, (Hyperion Books for Children, 2006).

Mystery Bottle is a tale of fantasy and imagination as a little boy in New York blows into a bottle and is carried to Iran where his father was born. He meets his grandfather and learns a bit about life in the land of his heritage. Pages are filled with all the many questions the boy would like to ask.  Immigrants of various backgrounds who have strong connections and family members living in other parts of the world will relate to the story.  Written for primary level, this heart-warming tale and colorful illustrations will engage readers of all ages.

YOUTH LITERATURE AWARD A Little Piece of Ground by Elizabeth Laird (Haymarket Books, 2006; originally published in England by Macmillan UK in 2003)

A Little Piece of Ground focuses on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and hopes of easier times ahead through the eyes of a twelve-year-old Palestinian boy in Ramallah. Plot elements such as Karim’s aspirations, sibling rivalry, and efforts at maintaining friendships transcend the conflict and physical setting.  Elizabeth Laird, with assistance from Palestinian author Sonia Nimr, also show Karim’s and his friends’ frustrations and fears as they manage daily life with curfews, unpredictability in access to school, and challenges in finding a place to play soccer. The strength of the family, relationships among various groups of Palestinians, and encounters with Israelis are presented with complexity and in ways that will cause readers to think about the violence in the conflict and the responses of those affected by it.

YOUTH NON-FICTION AWARD The Illustrator’s Notebook by Mohieddin Ellabbad (Groundwood Books, 2006)

The famous Egyptian illustrator Mohieddin Ellabbad presents his “notebook” which shares how he grew up and took on his profession. He uses text, photographs, drawings, and Arabic script to communicate his aspirations as an artist.  Most compelling are the questions he raises for readers, for example, “Where do stories come from?” and “How does the way you feel affect the way you draw?” Younger readers will be delighted by how he combines images and shows the change in his country over time. In this wonderfully creative and unique book, Ellabbad offers Egyptian history, breaks stereotypes, shares his personal story, and inspires readers to reflect upon their own experiences.

YOUTH NON-FICTION HONORABLE MENTION Great Muslim Philosophers and Scientists in the Middle Ages six-part series (Rosen Publishing Group, 2006). The series includes: Albucasis (Abu al-Qasim Al-Zahrawi): Renowned Muslim Surgeon of the Tenth Century by Fred Ramen; Averroes (Ibn Rushd): Muslim Scholar, Philosopher, and Physician of the Twelfth Century by Liz Sonneborn; Avicenna (Ibn Sina): Muslim Physician and Philosopher of the Eleventh Century by Aisha Khan; Al-Biruni: Master Astronomer and Muslim Scholar of the Eleventh Century by Bill Scheppler; Al-Khwarizmi: the Inventor of Algebra by Corona Brezina; and Al-Kindi: The Father of Arab Philosophy by Tony Abboud.

The many contributions of Muslim scholars to science, philosophy, and development of knowledge across numerous disciplines are presented in this powerful series. These richly illustrated books provide excellent reference sources and interesting biographical reading for intermediate level students and above.  Although each book focuses on a particular individual, linkages are made among the featured scientists and philosophers as with others in different eras and regions. Availability of such a series is highly significant at a time when U.S. schools are seeking resources that assist in teaching about non-Western history, religions, and cultural groups.

YOUTH NON-FICTION HONORABLE MENTION  Lebanon A-B-C: A Middle Eastern Mosaic by Marijean Boueri, Jill Boutros, and Joanne Sayad, illustrator Tatiana Sabbagh (Publishing Works, 2005)

Kareem, an eleven year-old Lebanese boy, and his friends of different ethnic and religious backgrounds, proudly introduce readers to many aspects of their country.  Organized by the letters of the English alphabet, topics such as Diversity, Gibran, Olives, Phoenicians, and War are only some of the themes presented.  The languages of Lebanon figure prominently as Arabic and French words are interspersed throughout the text. Younger readers will learn much from the detailed and colorful illustrations by Tatiana Sabbagh that feature images of Lebanese history, culture, and daily life.