Living in a Palestinian community in Gaza City during 1988-89--the year of the Infitada--an 11-year-old boy must come to terms with the violence and terrorism that surrounds his life as it affects her family and her surrounding.

Reviews

PW said in a starred review of this novel set in a Palestinian community in Gaza City during the intifada of 1988 and 1989, "The harsh portrayal of the Israeli occupation will be painful for many readers, but the author's overall message is transcendently humane." Ages 11-up. (Sept.) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Gr 5-8-A moving story of courage, loss, personal growth, and familial love, set in 1988 in the Middle East. A month earlier, Malaak Abed Atieh's father left their home in Gaza City and never returned. Every day, the 11-year-old climbs up to her roof and waits for him, for she does not know that the bus he was on became a terrorist target. Since his disappearance, she hasn't spoken to anyone except her dove, a gift from him. Her mother finally tells her what happened, and the child begins to worry about her 12-year-old brother, whom she fears is becoming involved with a radical group. For his sake, Malaak comes out of her shell to try to save him from the growing violence that surrounds them. Malaak is a strong character who longs for her father's physical presence but finds solace and comfort when communicating with him on a spiritual level. Events move quickly and consistently throughout the story, and all of the characters are well drawn. With a sharp eye for nuances of culture and the political situation in the Middle East, Clinton has created a rich, colorful cast of characters and created an emotionally charged novel. The glossary of Arabic words and their English meanings is helpful.-Janet Gillen, Great Neck Public Library, NY Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

"With a sharp eye for nuances of culture and the political situation in the Middle East, Clinton has created a rich, colorful cast of characters and an emotionally charged novel."