Author: Naomi Shihab Nye, Suleiman Mansour (Illustrator) Ask a Question
Title: The Flag of Childhood: Poems from the Middle East
Description: By Naomi Shihab Nye, Suleiman Mansour (Illustrator) In this stirring anthology of sixty poems from the Middle East, honored anthologist Naomi Shihab Nye welcomes us to this lush, vivid world and beckons us to explore. Eloquent pieces from Palestine, Israel, Egypt, Iraq, and elsewhere open windows into the hearts and souls of people we usually meet only on the nightly news. What we see when we look through these windows is the love of family, friends, and for the Earth, the daily occurrences of life that touch us forever, the longing for a sense of place. What we learn is that beneath the veil of stereotypes, our human connections are stronger than our cultural differences. FROM THE CRITICS Publishers Weekly "Vibrant images and emotions fill this impressive anthology," said PW of this collection first published under the title The Space Between Our Footsteps, which invites readers to experience the Middle East as portrayed in 60 poems. Ages 8-12. (Feb.) Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information. Children's Literature Originally published in 1998, this collection of 60 poems from the Middle East demonstrates that despite cultural and religious differences, young people are basically the same no matter where they're from. The poems range from descriptions of commonplace occurrences, such as getting class pictures taken and sunsets, to heart-breaking images of war and its aftermath. The language used is simple and lyrical, and creates a sense of joy--even though some of the stories it tells are sad. A new introduction by Naomi Shihab Nye, written after the tragedies of September 11, 2001, implores readers to learn all they can about each other's lives, for this is one way to achieve lasting peace and understanding. In a world where so much is uncertain, the thoughts and feelings shared in these poems will be reassuring. 2002 (orig. 1998), Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer: Joanne Draper Language(s): English ISBN: 0689851723 2002, Paperback, 112 pages, 7.5" x 6.0" Age Range: 8 to 12

In this stirring anthology of sixty poems from the Middle East, honored anthologist Naomi Shihab Nye welcomes us to this lush, vivid world and beckons us to explore. Eloquent pieces from Palestine, Israel, Egypt, Iraq, and elsewhere open windows into the hearts and souls of people we usually meet only on the nightly news. What we see when we look through these windows is the love of family, friends, and for the Earth, the daily occurrences of life that touch us forever, the longing for a sense of place. What we learn is that beneath the veil of stereotypes, our human connections are stronger than our cultural differences.