Coming to America: A Muslim Family's Story
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, TXCopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.