One More River [Paperback]

Lynne Reid Banks (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 15, 2007

Lesley lives in Canada and thinks life is just great, she has got friends, she likes school and they are very comfortably off. But then her father makes a fateful decision, the whole family is going to emigrate to Israel and lead a more fully Jewish life. Lesley is horrified and very resistant. However, once she gets to her new country and a very different life, she begins to find it stimulating and enjoyable. A strange relationship with Palestinian boy Mustafa, who lives on the other side of the Jordan river, is a big part of the new Lesley. A very exciting book, set in the 1960s about life in a pioneering new country.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-9-- Banks has completely rewritten her 1973 novel (S. & S.; o.p.), tightening the narrative, making the descriptive passages and dialogue more accessible for today's readers, and removing some racist expressions, as well as references to smoking marijuana. The basic plot remains the same: spoiled, rich Lesley, 14, moves with her parents from Canada to an Israeli kibbutz because her father feels that the family has lost any sense of what it means to be Jewish. They leave behind Lesley's brother Noah, a family outcast because he has not only married his Catholic girlfriend, with whom he has been sexually active, but also because he has converted to her religion. A large part of the novel--set during the days before, during, and after the 1967 Six-Day War--chronicles Lesley's gradual, difficult adjustment, and her growing friendship from afar with Mustapha, an Arab boy. The story is fleshed out with numerous details about kibbutz life, farming, and military maneuvers, which bring a sense of realism. The style is more polished, with the characters' actions, rather than the author's voice, revealing motivation. Some Hebrew and Yiddish words are transliterated more accurately, and Lesley now speaks to Mustapha in his language, thanks to her Arabic lessons, which lends a greater air of authenticity. The glossary is more comprehensive, but readers won't need to refer to it often. A map is a welcome new addition. Where the first edition is popular, purchase of this one is recommended; libraries needing additional historical fiction will want to consider it as well. Its theme of peace is as timely today as when it was first published. --Ellen Fader, Westport Public Library, CT
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"The author writes with a subtle blend of emotional honesty and eloquent restraint." The Guardian"

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Product Details

• Paperback: 230 pages
• Publisher: Barn Owl Books Limited; New edition edition (March 15, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1903015634
• ISBN-13: 978-1903015636
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,007,096 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Lynne Reid Banks is a best-selling author for children and adults. Her classic children's novel 'The Indian in the Cupboard' has sold nearly six million copies worldwide. She was born in London in 1929 and worked as an actress, writer and TV news reporter. Lynne has written thirty books: her first, 'The L-Shaped Room', was published in 1960. She now lives in Dorset, where she continues to write. Lynne says that writing for children comes much more easily than writing for adults. Tony Ross was born in London in 1938. He has worked as an art director at an advertising agency, a graphic designer, a cartoonist, a teacher, a film maker and as a Senior Lecturer in Art at Manchester Polytechnic.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good story, serious topic., May 6, 2003

By 

L. Suha "liana" (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: One More River (Paperback)

I originally read this book as a teenager and it literaly changed my life as I later went to live on a kibbutz and later still emigrated to Israel and lived there for several years. I bought this version as a gift to my Israeli daughter in part so that she can learn one of the reasons that she exists. I can't really comment on the changes as it is too long since I read the original.
Lesley is a rich and spoiled teenager living in Canada. her parents take her to live on a kibbutz in Israel. She has to share a room and to learn to live with almost no possesions. Starting as an outcast she gradually learns the language, adapts to working and learns to fit in to her new environment. She also develops a "relationship' with an Arab boy from across the river Jordan.
The story is set just before and during the 1967 Six Day War and helps to provide younger readers with an insight into the history of and politics of the time. It is simplistic in some ways but this is to be expected given the target age of its readers. It also helps to explain the optimism of the time and the assumption that Israeli occupation of the territories would be a short term thing - highly relevant given the ongoing conflict as many readers no doubt have questions about how it all started.
The story of Lesley is enjoyable for younger readers who will be able to relate to her and the history is a bonus. It is of course a story with only one point of view but I feel that it does begin to address the frustration of the Arabs in the area. This is further examined in the sequel "Broken Bridge".

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Remarkable Novel, May 1, 2005

By 

Jayne - See all my reviews

This review is from: One More River (Paperback)

Banks writes about a complete, real-life situation about a Jewish family moving to find their genuine way of life. "A large part of the novel--set during the days before, during, and after the 1967 Six-Day War--chronicles Lesley's gradual, difficult adjustment, and her growing friendship from afar with Mustapha, an Arab boy. The story is fleshed out with numerous details about kibbutz life, farming, and military maneuvers, which bring a sense of realism." (Fader). Fader provides a perfect description of the plot of the book. Banks also includes Yiddish words with a glossary, which enhances the reading comprehension of the book for knowledge of a different language. This is a top rate novel for kids or teens, especially whom are interested in the Jewish religion, traveling, and war. "The story is set just before and during the 1967 Six Day War and helps to provide younger readers with an insight into the history of and politics of the time. It is simplistic in some ways but this is to be expected given the target age of its readers. It also helps to explain the optimism of the time and the assumption that Israeli occupation of the territories would be a short term thing - highly relevant given the ongoing conflict as many readers no doubt have questions about how it all started." (Shapiro).

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A concerned parent, January 27, 2000

By 

Michael BenDebba (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: One More River (Paperback)

The book was not only poorly written, from an english stand point, but it also helps young children to develop racist attitudes towards the Arab world. This fictional book is narrated by the author and talks of a young girls' struggle to not only change her environment, but to adapt to one that is not so friendly. However, the author makes certain that her Zionist attitudes and hatered towards the Arabs of the middle-east are represented. Phrases in the book leave an Arab-American, such as myself, questioning how a person can preach hatered to children when we as parents try so hard to maintain their innocence. I picked up this book because it has become a hot topic in my school district. The book is being used by teachers in English classes as well as in Social Studies. As educators they are suppose to teach children to think for themselves, to formulate their own opinions. When they teach children biases and hatered we go backwards as a society and raise puppets with no voice. I want people to buy this book, not because I wish to promote the book, but I would like people to read this book from the perspective of an Arab (boy or girl) 9-12 years of age, seating in a Public School. Make yourself believe that you would feel comfortable being in a classroom filled with children, none like yourself; an Arab. Thank you if you read my comments.