Magid Fasts for Ramadan [Paperback]

Mary Matthews (Author), E. B. Lewis (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 28, 2000 | Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

It is the first day of Ramadan, the month when good Muslims eat nothing and drink nothing all day, every day, from sunrise to sunset. Mama and Baba have told Magid he isn't old enough to fast, but even Magid's sister, Aisha, is fasting, and Magid doesn't want to wait. Set in present-day Egypt, MAGID FASTS FOR RAMADAN satisfyingly recounts Magid's struggle and its surprising and happy resolution, and offers an illuminating introduction to the beliefs and practices of Islam. AUTHOR'S NOTE, GLOSSARY.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

At a time when many Americans are becoming more aware of the Islamic faith, this book, which explores the Muslim tradition of fasting during the month of Ramadan, is most welcome. Magid, who is too young to fast, watches the other members of his family fasting and wishes to be a truly obedient Muslim too. Unbeknownst to his family, Magid promises Allah that he, too, will fast. His family discovers his fast, and while Magid is chastised for being dishonest, his religious desires are honored, as he is given a modified fast to follow. Excellent watercolor illustrations add to the charm of this book. An informative afterward about the Islamic faith, a glossary and a pronunciation guide make it a good tool for teaching children about Islam and the awakening of religious desires. Ages 5-10.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-4?An interesting look at an Egyptian Muslim family's celebration of Ramadan through the eyes of eight-year-old Magid. The boy wants to fast from sunrise to sunset, a tradition usually reserved for those 12 and older. Mama consents to his skipping breakfast but he secretly plans and executes day-long fasts until his older sister discovers his deception and tells their mother. Magid realizes through gentle reprimand and family discussion that an obedient Muslim is also a truthful one, yet he receives congratulations from his grandfather for his true fast of the heart. Lewis's watercolors blend well with the text and give readers an accurate sense of character, location, and cultural tradition as well as a skillful portrayal of emotional nuance through facial expressions and physical stances. The artist's utilization of Arabic border motifs at the chapter heads echoes patterns seen in tile mosaics of the region. This is a refreshing visit to a '90s Muslim family that accurately represents Islamic practice and the spiritual reasons behind it. This attractive title is a warm and welcome companion to Dianne MacMillan's Ramadan and Id Al-Fitr (Enslow, 1994), which presents information from a purely factual point of view. Magid is an amiable ambassador for his faith.?Celia A. Huffman, Worthington Public Library, OH
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Sandpiper (March 28, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0618040358
• ISBN-13: 978-0618040353
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.8 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,803,693 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing; does not capture the true Islamic perspective, December 17, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Magid Fasts for Ramadan (Hardcover)

Although at first I was pleased to see that a book for children had been published on Ramadan, I was very disappointed to discover the main premise of the story: that an 8-year old child is too young to fast. As a Muslim mother and teacher, I really found it incredible that the family discouraged Magid from fasting, and that he had to sneak in order to try. This is highly atypical of Muslim families in general (although perhaps more commonin Egypt). Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam; children have always been encouraged to fast at least a few days from the age of 7, and to increase the number of days fasted each year until they get used to it and are able to fulfill their religious requirement by the time they reach puberty. Although fasting may seem like a difficult and possibly even cruel thing to ask or allow a child to do, in fact millions of children around the world do so happily and successfully each Ramadan. Fasting as practiced in Islam (abstaining from food and drink from dawn to sunset) is good for the health, builds stamina and self-control, and develops empathy for the poor. Children really gain a tremendous sense of achievement when they complete even one day of fasting, and it is good for their self-esteem. I hope that we will see a more authentic book about a child's experience of fasting in the future, from a Muslim author.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not a Relevant Book for Muslim Families!!!, February 24, 2005

By 

M. Hassan (Stone Mountain, GA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Magid Fasts for Ramadan (Paperback)

I and my wife were very disappointed with this book as Muslim parents. The principles that the book promotes to it's audience, Muslim youth; are dangerous and erroneous ones. The child Majid, the main character in this story wants to begin fasting for Ramadan at age 7 and is not permitted by his parents, he disobeys and lies to his parents in order to follow his own desires. His sister who is 12 does not want to fast and is allowed to follow her own desires. Lying is a sin in Islam regardless of the reason, this is not a behavior that should be excused or accepted. At age seven a child is old enough to begin at least a partial fast and should in order to prepare him/her mentally and physically for the task when it is required of them at puberty. If this had been done with the sister in the story she would have been fully prepared and fasting at 12. This book appears on the surface to be benevelent and harmless but it promotes a false image of Islamic family behavior and values to non-Muslims and a very poor example for Muslim familes to follow. Absolutely not recommended.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a cute introduction for children, October 26, 2003

By 

Larry Mark "editor of MyJewishBooks.com" (nyc) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Magid Fasts for Ramadan (Hardcover)

Set in modern Egypt, with subdued watercolors, the book tells the story of Magid, who at age 8, wants to fast for Ramadan. His older sister, 12, is fasting, why can't he? She glares at him when he voices his desire to fast like everyone else in the household. The story realistically shows some sibling antagonisms. The story shows a close 3 generation family, waking early to eat and pray, making it through the day, and watching for the evening lanterns to be lit by the muezzin. Magid feels great pride as he skips breakfast and then lunch. He shows his openness to various levels of obedience when his friend Gamal informs him that Gamal's family is not into fasting. Magid breaks his fast with a date, just as The Prophet did, and the next day he skips breakfast again. But when he gets caught, he learns an important lesson. Along the way we learn why they fast, read about their relatives in Cairo and Detroit, and understand more about the spirit of Ramadan.