Jerusalem, Shining Still [Library Binding]

Karla Kuskin (Author), David Frampton (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1987

Evokes the spirit of an ancient city, recalling David, Nebuchadnezzer, Herod, Hadrian, Constantine, Saladin, Sulieman, and the many groups who came to conquer; and observes that despite 3000 years of being battered, burned, and rebuilt, Jerusaleum shines peacefully in the moonlight.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Beautifully crafted, like a piece of radiant sculpture, this is an exquisite hymn to one of the world's great cities. To create mood, Kuskin uses a first person narrative voice and addresses her readers directly, inviting them to "Sit beside me." She then treats them to a poetic rendering of Jerusalem's history, from David, who made shaking sky clouds bump against each other, through the present day paradox of physical magnificence with interfaith tensions. Kuskin uses repetitve phrases to explain the waxing and waning of wealth and ruination, such as "When times are bad they will get better" and its reverse. With rhyme she reinforces the soaring power of the narrative, "You have not forgotten that after the Babylonians came from Babylonia, the Greeks came and then the Romans, those worshippers of Gods and omens. Then the Persians came in troops, Moslems followed, groups and groups, the Fatimid Egyptian forces, Seljuk Turks on foot and horses. After that the Crusaders, Saladin and more Moslems, the Mamelukes and the Ottoman Turks all came to stay, for a while, and went away." Frampton's impressive woodcuts cast the right golden glow, bringing us, just as the author intended, closer to the hills of stone that David saw and we can still. All ages.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 1 Up Through lilting poetic prose and glowing woodcuts, Kuskin and Frampton present a hommage to the holy city of Jerusalem, home of the three major religions. Four thousand years of the city's history are described, beginning with King David's conquest over Goliath, continuing through the Six Day War. In spite of all the battles, burnings, and rebuildings, the city stands majestically ``shining still.'' It is to Kuskin's credit that she describes the city's 4000-year history in such a brief form, while still conveying a personal sense of the place. She sometimes interweaves verses with the rhythmic prose. Frampton's woodcuts, in a predominantly golden color accented with other bright hues, are elegantly composed and radiant. This book, beautifully illustrated and well told, conveys strong feelings for the city of Jerusalem. Micki S. Nevett, Temple Beth Emeth Library, Albany, N.Y.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Library Binding: 27 pages
• Publisher: Harpercollins (September 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060235497
• ISBN-13: 978-0060235499
• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 8.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,284,602 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book shines as surely as its subject!, April 7, 2000

By 

Mary Beth Foster (West Lafayette, IN United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jerusalem, Shining Still (Hardcover)

It is a great pity that this book is out of print, because it is a lovely work of art, both visually and verbally. The story of Jerusalem is told in a beautiful, poetic style, with certain themes circling and echoing through the text ("When times are bad, they will get better"). The author does an amazing job of giving children the sense of the vast sweep of time, and of the ebb and flow of peoples who have come and gone from the Holy Land. The book does not talk down to children; instead, it leads them along, using ancient forms of repetition to reinforce their memory for each stage of Jerusalem's history. This book is a gem. If you can get the on-tape version, you will be delighted both by the voice of the storyteller and of the background music. This book has become part of my storytelling library; it will take some practice to memorize it all, but what a wonderful, shining story to tell!

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice broad overview for children, October 17, 2009

By 

HeatherHH - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jerusalem, Shining Still (Paperback)

A nice children's overview of the history of Jerusalem. It's amazing to see how many times the city has changed hands and all the peoples that have passed through. The text is interesting enough reading. The flow of peoples through the city is repeated several times in order throughout the text to try to impress some of it upon the reader's memory.

This book touches on religious themes, such as accounting David and Goliath as fact (including his 9 ft height), and mentioning Jesus (nothing is said about Him as God, it would all be compatible with Him being simply a good teacher). Islam's attachment to the city is also touched on.

The woodcut illustrations are not my style at all. It's slightly better than no illustrations, since this is a children's book, but I would have much preferred a completely different style.

Still, we are Bible-believing Christians. This is a very helpful book to present a brief overview of the city of Jerusalem.