Looking through the tall trees in their backyard in Maine, Shirin and her dad search for a glimpse of the new moon, the sign that the month of Ramadan has begun. Ramadan is a time when Muslims around the world pray, fast, and pay special attention to doing good deeds. Shirin is nine and thinks she should be able to fast like her older brother Ali, but her parents feel she is still too young to go without food and water all day. When Shirin catches Ali sneaking food after school, she wonders: Should she tattle or is this an opportunity for a good deed? Shirin feels left out when the others break their fasts to have their own meals after dark and in the early morning, before it is light again. But then her grandmother tells a story that shows her a way she can feel more a part of Ramadan and the traditions and closeness her family enjoys during this special month of the year. Her good deeds result in a surprise for everyone!
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Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal
Gr 1-4–This thought-provoking tale straddles American, Persian, and Islamic cultures. Shirin, nine, watches for the moon signaling the start of Ramadan. She is disappointed because she is too young to fast, but her father encourages her to do good deeds. Jalali depicts the Shia-Muslim form of prayer, which includes kissing a stone, and also touches on the issue of women covering their hair. Throughout the story, Shirin follows the waxing and waning stages of the moon and is delighted when she gets permission to do half-day fasts and even more pleased when it appears that she is able to cope with them better than her brother. To her astonishment, she discovers him secretly eating. She decides not to expose Ali and counts it as a good deed. As Ramadan ends, the family prepares for Eid-ul-Fitr. O'Brien's watercolor illustrations evoke a culturally authentic Persian-American aesthetic, depicting warm characters in a family setting. An explanation of Ramadan and Eid is given in the back matter. This is another wonderful contribution to the slowly increasing collection of fictional books on the observance of Ramadan and a great resource for librarians and teachers.Fawzia Gilani-Williams, An-Noor School, Windsor, Ontario
© Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
© Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
From Booklist
This moving picture book for older readers about a young Muslim girl and her family at Ramadan weaves together the traditional observance and its meaning with a lively drama of sibling rivalry. In her backyard in Maine, Shirin, 9, and her father watch for the new moon that starts the holy month. Shirin begs to be allowed to fast, like her older brother, Ali, 12, but she is furious when her family tells her she is too young. Then her parents decide to let her fast for part of the day, and she is thrilled. She also learns that Ramadan is about doing good deeds to help others. The unframed, intricately detailed, mixed-media illustrations show the siblings' ugly standoffs (Shirin's jealousy, Ali's smugness), as well as the family at prayer, at the dinner table, and in warm close-ups. Along with the information about the holiday, there is a real story here: when Shirin helps Ali, it changes their relationship and reveals the meaning of the holiday. Grades 2-4. --Hazel Rochman
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A beautifully illustrated story of one of the most sacred customs of Muslims, Ramadan,
By Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Moon Watchers: Shirin's Ramadan Miracle (Hardcover)
"Moon Watchers: Shirin's Ramadan Miracle" is a Ramadan story that teaches children about the Muslim customs surrounding Ramadan and the hopes of a young girl to grow into celebrating these traditions. At 9, Shirin would like to join her parents and her older brother in the custom of fasting from dawn till dusk for the cycle of Ramadan, eating only in the early or late dark hours. The family are excited to begin Ramadan when the new moon tells them Ramadan commences. Shirin's father is sympathetic to her wish to fast, but he reminds her there is more to Ramadan, and that she can help celebrate the spirit of Ramadan by performing some small good deeds such as quietly helping care for Pishi or weeding in the garden. Of course Shirin joins her family in special Ramadan prayers, using her special beaded scarf for a prayer mat. The family makes changes in their daily routine to observe the fast during daylight hours, and they ask "May Allah feed whoever is hungry," before they begin iftar, or to break their fast. The family does not have as much daytime energy during Ramadan, but they try to focus their energy and prayers on thoughts of kind, selfless offerings and sharings. Shirin's grandmother tells her a story of a boy who decides to offer Allah his best effort which is a part-time fast because that too is a beautiful and precious gift. Shirin decides to make a quilt while she works on her part time fast. Shirin's older brother Ali is fasting, but it is hard for him. Shirin sees him break his fast during daylight hours. Should she tell? it is a long wait for the new moon, when Ramadan will be over, and it will be Eid, with presents for Ali and Shirin. Shirin decides the kind thing to do is to help Ali by quietly concealing his daytime snacks. Ali is suspicious, but grateful. Finally the moon watchers sight the new moon and Eid ul-Fitr, the time of festivity is come, the end of Ramadan. Shirin's mother decorates her hands with henna, making beautiful swirling patterns with a matchstick on her hands. Treats are prepared and gifts are wrapped and brought out of hiding. Shirin's Ramadan miracle is that Ali, her teasing big brother, has decided to give her a special gift all by himself. "Moon Watchers" is a beautifully illustrated story of one of the most sacred customs of Muslims, Ramadan.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good artwork, solid writing,
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Moon Watchers: Shirin's Ramadan Miracle (Hardcover)
We borrowed this book from the library and just had to buy it.
Beautifully illustrated, clear story-line, from the perspective of an Iranian family. But it could be the story of any family observing Ramadan. (That the family is Shite is only alluded to in the pictures where they are shown praying, and the wooden/stone is on the rug. Otherwise it could easily be a Sunni household as well). Don't let that deter anyone from buying this classic Muslim children's story.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Moon Watcher: Shirin's Ramadan Miracle,
By Tina Taggart (Levant, ME United States) - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Moon Watchers: Shirin's Ramadan Miracle (Hardcover)
A story about family, and a story for unnderstanding Ramadan. Great book to read to children, so they can undrstand that all families are similar, whether they are Christian or Muslim. .
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