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October 12, 2001/Tishri 25, 5762, Vol. 54, No. 5
Books address issues of conflict, tolerance
BETH OLSON
Staff Writer
In the wake of the terrorist attacks on America and the anti-Muslim backlash that has followed, it is essential that parents speak with their children about compassion in the face of controversy. Here are three outstanding books for young people that address the issues of conflict and tolerance.
"Why Do They Hate Me? Young Lives Caught in War and Conflict" by Laurel Holliday (Pocket Books, $4.99 paperback)
This collection of diary entries, narratives and stories from young people whose lives are entren-ched in conflict is truly thought provoking. The book is broken into three sections: The Holocaust and World War II, "The Troubles" in Northern Ireland and The Israeli/Palestinian conflict.
While the "Diary of Anne Frank" is likely the most-read piece of Holocaust writing, collected here are diary entries that are equally moving. Of particular interest are the diary entries from non-Jewish young people. While we are always aware of the horrors of the Holocaust, we may occasionally forget how many other European lives were ravaged by World War II.
The sections of the book devoted to Northern Ireland and the Israeli/Palestinian conflict are shockingly similar - stories of young men and women living in fear, yet full of courage; hoping for peace, yet brimming with anger.
This is a collection that every high school student should read - these writings by their peers cannot fail to make an indelible impression on their way of thinking.
These stories will fascinate adults as well, and it would be wise to read this book before handing it off to a high school student, as there are likely to be many questions.
This book is recommended for readers 14 and up.
"Snow in Jerusalem" by Deborah da Costa, illustrated by Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu (Albert Whitman & Company, $15.95 hardcover)
Avi and Hamudi live in Jerusalem's Old City, Avi in the Jewish Quarter, and Hamudi in the Muslim Quarter. The two boys are unknowingly caring for the same stray cat.
Eventually the boys meet, quarrel, have an adventure and learn to compromise, all during a snowfall in Jerusalem.
This picture book is recommended for ages 4 and up.
"Understanding Buddy" by Marc Kornblatt (Margaret K. McElderry Books, $16 hardcover)
Soon after Sam Keeperman's housekeeper is killed in a car accident, her son, Buddy, transfers to Sam's fifth-grade class. Buddy refuses to speak or to participate in school and the other kids begin to ridicule him. Although Sam never shares with the other children what he knows about Buddy's mom, he does make attempts to befriend Buddy. In response to Sam's efforts, the other boys begin to taunt him, as well.
Through discussions in Sam's bar mitzvah class, the author smoothly incorporates a religious element to the story - Sam frequently relates the Bible stories he learns in class to what is happening in his own life. While Sam's behavior in the story is not always exemplary, his character is very real and has a good heart.
The boys in the story bridge their differences through soccer, which may make this book appealing to preteen boys - an audience often difficult to interest in reading. This book can lead to parent-child discussions about kindness, compassion, friendship and death.
This novel is recommended for children ages 8-12.
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