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4.2 AVERAGE
4.2 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
A sweet and far-reaching short story collection for middle-grade readers (and more).
Reading this book feels like listening to a story about Eid experiences of friends out there who come from various countries. There are Hawa, Yusuf, Kareem, et al who shared stories about how they celebrate Eid. The stories were fun and made me feel the joy and happiness they felt.
emotional
relaxing
Honestly, loved it. As someone who (unfortunately) did not realize when I started reading this book that there were two Eids, obviously it was a significant learning experience, but every single story in this collection has its own feel, its own resonance. They are just good stories. We get so many different angles of the celebrations, so many ways people are approaching and connecting with Eid.
When I was much younger I remember having a project where we had to research origins of Christmas songs and research different traditions and symbols and how much fun that was to get the chance to do further exploration and read about other perspectives on it. I'm really glad that a collection like this exists and gives people the chance to see themselves and think about their own family traditions and what Eid means to them.
When I was much younger I remember having a project where we had to research origins of Christmas songs and research different traditions and symbols and how much fun that was to get the chance to do further exploration and read about other perspectives on it. I'm really glad that a collection like this exists and gives people the chance to see themselves and think about their own family traditions and what Eid means to them.
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
Reminder to be generous and grateful
Did someone say diversity? Because this book is fillllllled with it in ways I did not expect. Once upon an Eid is a collection of short stories written by various Muslim authors that talk about Eid's celebration in various households around the world under various circumstances.
We are talking eid, the excitement before eid, the food, the eid dress dilemma, an eid where we don't feel like celebrating, an eid where our loved ones are suffering, an eid when you have just lost someone close to you, an eid where you are staying at the borders of a new foreign land as a refugee, an eid where you overlook the differences in sects in the community and come together as one, an eid away from your family, an eid where you try to build a new tradition, an eid where your sole aim is to keep a tradition alive, an eid where you bond with cousins you previously didn't get along with, the first Eid as a revert, an eid in a fictional fantasy land...yes you read that right.
This book will not only touch your heart but also open your eyes. I will be forever grateful to all the author's who contributed their pieces to the book. The book (I felt) was targeted towards a young(er) audience (than me), so it felt a bit weird, like reading a middle grade book. But hey, who said reading middle grade in your 20's is not allowed? The last time I checked Other Words For Home was a middle grade read and it had your girl bawling her eyes out and so did this book in certain places
We are talking eid, the excitement before eid, the food, the eid dress dilemma, an eid where we don't feel like celebrating, an eid where our loved ones are suffering, an eid when you have just lost someone close to you, an eid where you are staying at the borders of a new foreign land as a refugee, an eid where you overlook the differences in sects in the community and come together as one, an eid away from your family, an eid where you try to build a new tradition, an eid where your sole aim is to keep a tradition alive, an eid where you bond with cousins you previously didn't get along with, the first Eid as a revert, an eid in a fictional fantasy land...yes you read that right.
This book will not only touch your heart but also open your eyes. I will be forever grateful to all the author's who contributed their pieces to the book. The book (I felt) was targeted towards a young(er) audience (than me), so it felt a bit weird, like reading a middle grade book. But hey, who said reading middle grade in your 20's is not allowed? The last time I checked Other Words For Home was a middle grade read and it had your girl bawling her eyes out and so did this book in certain places
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A collection of short stories centered around the Muslim holiday of Eid. Editors SK Ali and Aisha Saeed have compiled a great list of stories that show the same holiday and practices from a variety of voices. A good, if juvenile at times, read.
I'm immensely thankful for the introduction that lays out the basics of the holiday, Muslim calendar, and practices. The intro is required reading if you, like me, know much less than you should about Islam.
Shout out to the stories "Don'ut Break Tradition" and "Not Only an Only," two of the best stories in the collection. This text is definitely geared toward middle grades, but these two are in a special category that readers of any age can enjoy.
We've got a short story unit coming up, and "Not Only an Only" is a prime candidate for inclusion. It'll have to come with a glossary, but my students will be better for it.
I'm immensely thankful for the introduction that lays out the basics of the holiday, Muslim calendar, and practices. The intro is required reading if you, like me, know much less than you should about Islam.
Shout out to the stories "Don'ut Break Tradition" and "Not Only an Only," two of the best stories in the collection. This text is definitely geared toward middle grades, but these two are in a special category that readers of any age can enjoy.
We've got a short story unit coming up, and "Not Only an Only" is a prime candidate for inclusion. It'll have to come with a glossary, but my students will be better for it.
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Cute anthologies all focused on celebrating Eid.
This was SUCH a cute and heartwarming read, one much needed since Eid is only a few days away!