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3.6 AVERAGE
3.6 AVERAGE
Great representation - I now want to go to Oman when I previously knew nothing about it.
Originally posted here at In the Senter of it All
Genre: Realistic
AR level: 4.6
Grade appropriate: 2nd and up
This book was nothing that I was expecting. When I read a summary that said this book was about a boy from the middle east who is moving to Michigan, I was expecting a boy from the slums in a war-torn country who fights his way to America. I was blown away by how similar Aref’s life is to a very typical American kid. He goes to school, collects rocks, hangs out with his grandfather, and doesn’t want to leave the country and city that are dear to his heart. I recommend this book to anyone who is proud of where they live and sees the adventure of moving to a new place daunting!
RATING BREAKDOWN:
Overall: 5/5-- Great book that broadened my view of the “middle east.”
Creativity: 5/5
Characters: 5/5-- My favorite was Sidi, Aref’s grandfather. I want to go hang out with him too!
Engrossing: 5/5-- very quick read.
Writing: 5/5-- Loved how simply this book was written. The Arabic thrown in here and there make it a little more difficult, but mostly it is an easy, light read.
Appeal to kids: 5/5-- I think once we can get them reading it they’ll love it. The synopsis doesn’t really draw them in.
Appropriate length to tell the story: 5/5
CONTENT:
Language: none
Sexuality: none
Violence: none
Drugs/Alcohol: none
Genre: Realistic
AR level: 4.6
Grade appropriate: 2nd and up
This book was nothing that I was expecting. When I read a summary that said this book was about a boy from the middle east who is moving to Michigan, I was expecting a boy from the slums in a war-torn country who fights his way to America. I was blown away by how similar Aref’s life is to a very typical American kid. He goes to school, collects rocks, hangs out with his grandfather, and doesn’t want to leave the country and city that are dear to his heart. I recommend this book to anyone who is proud of where they live and sees the adventure of moving to a new place daunting!
RATING BREAKDOWN:
Overall: 5/5-- Great book that broadened my view of the “middle east.”
Creativity: 5/5
Characters: 5/5-- My favorite was Sidi, Aref’s grandfather. I want to go hang out with him too!
Engrossing: 5/5-- very quick read.
Writing: 5/5-- Loved how simply this book was written. The Arabic thrown in here and there make it a little more difficult, but mostly it is an easy, light read.
Appeal to kids: 5/5-- I think once we can get them reading it they’ll love it. The synopsis doesn’t really draw them in.
Appropriate length to tell the story: 5/5
CONTENT:
Language: none
Sexuality: none
Violence: none
Drugs/Alcohol: none
Beautiful imagery and a great walk through a different culture. Despite this, the plot line is too weak for me. I enjoyed seeing the world through Aref's eyes but I felt like it could have been shortened a good 100 pages to keep the pace.
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Horn Book described this book as "quiet and exhilarating". The "quiet" comes from a young boy, Aref, (7 or 8) resisting his family's move to the US. He doesn't want to leave Oman - where everything is familiar - to move to Michigan where both parents will be attending grad school. He never actually says "No. I'm not packing," he just occasionally places an item or two in the suitcase. He collects stones and while his main collection will stay home packed away in his closet, a few special ones will make the trip with him as memory keepers. Over the course of a week, his grandfather, Sidi, is instrumental in helping him say good-bye to home. They go camping one night in the desert, and visit the famous turtle hatchery beach on the way home. He spends another couple of nights at Sidi's house and they go on a boat ride. All of these things help anchor Aref. The "exhilaration" comes from the slowly advancing departure date and Aref's gradual acceptance of his departure. I was giving this book a solid 3 stars until I read a lovely bit where Sidi explains what makes a house happy: "What makes a house smile is - people. When they come in and out. When people talk and laugh together, the house is having a good dream." I may be increasing my rating because I have wonderful memories of my home in WV, but I liked the sentiment. I read this for my 2016 Reading Challenge "read a book set in the Middle East" (Read Harder).
hopeful
lighthearted
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book wasn't what I expected it to be, and that's okay! I was expecting a story about a boy leaving Oman for Michigan, and for the book's setting to actually change as well. Instead, this is a story about a boy accepting his temporary move to Michigan. It's a lovely quiet story about Aref, his love of turtles, and his grandfather, Sidi. Lovely.
A great book about change and how sometimes you're stuck doing things you don't want. Great for kids experiencing some change or anyone interested in Oman or how to be happy. I felt the book was a little short on plot and mostly took us on a tour of Aref's favorite activities with his grandfather and his state of mind. There are worse issues to have.
Gorgeously deep novel for children set in Oman. Wistful, detailed and concerned with the natural world, ideas of home and belonging. Conveys Muscat, Oman in detailed childlike innocence.