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A review by ainun_farhan_zahra
The Button Box by Fawzia Gilani-Williams, Bridget Hodder
5.0
Heartiest gratitude to Netgalley, the authors and the publishers for proving me with an ARC.
Despite being cousins, Ava is Jewish and Nadim is Muslim, possibly the top two religions targeted for bullying by people of different faiths. The fact that they belong in same family but practice different religions doesn't help at all and the hateful behaviors of bullies at school *almost* reduce them to tears. They share the saddening events with their Granny Buena who lightens the mood by bringing out a mysterious button box and narrating fascinating stories of their ancestors, only to stop in the middle, leaving them unsatisfied. They sneakily try to figure out more about the box when by surprising turns of events, they go back in time in ancient Morocco, where they meet their ancestors. One of them happens to be Prince Abdur Rahman, member of Umayyad dynasty in Spain, fleeing for his life from the Abbasids. Ava and Nadim find themselves standing at a crucial point of the history. One wrong move can change the entire future. They might not even be born! Will they be able to blend with their extended family and save the day?
I read the book in less than 24 hours. It grabbed my attention from the very first line and by the time I finished, I knew without a doubt, it's gonna be categorized as one of the 'Oh My Goodness! What have I just Read's in my heart. Phenomenal, feel-good and fantastic story-telling with equally powerful and important concept have set this book apart, leaving a long lasting effect. I am just blown away by its magnificence and sheer brilliance.
Those who love historical fictions like me, you must read this! Filled with warmth, love & friendship, familial ties, exciting adventures, cultural and religious diversity, historical facts, this book will engage and speak to readers of all ages. I can't recommend it enough. I am buying a copy as soon as I can.
Despite being cousins, Ava is Jewish and Nadim is Muslim, possibly the top two religions targeted for bullying by people of different faiths. The fact that they belong in same family but practice different religions doesn't help at all and the hateful behaviors of bullies at school *almost* reduce them to tears. They share the saddening events with their Granny Buena who lightens the mood by bringing out a mysterious button box and narrating fascinating stories of their ancestors, only to stop in the middle, leaving them unsatisfied. They sneakily try to figure out more about the box when by surprising turns of events, they go back in time in ancient Morocco, where they meet their ancestors. One of them happens to be Prince Abdur Rahman, member of Umayyad dynasty in Spain, fleeing for his life from the Abbasids. Ava and Nadim find themselves standing at a crucial point of the history. One wrong move can change the entire future. They might not even be born! Will they be able to blend with their extended family and save the day?
I read the book in less than 24 hours. It grabbed my attention from the very first line and by the time I finished, I knew without a doubt, it's gonna be categorized as one of the 'Oh My Goodness! What have I just Read's in my heart. Phenomenal, feel-good and fantastic story-telling with equally powerful and important concept have set this book apart, leaving a long lasting effect. I am just blown away by its magnificence and sheer brilliance.
Those who love historical fictions like me, you must read this! Filled with warmth, love & friendship, familial ties, exciting adventures, cultural and religious diversity, historical facts, this book will engage and speak to readers of all ages. I can't recommend it enough. I am buying a copy as soon as I can.