From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 3-Based on the author's life, this picture book traces the experiences of a young Roma boy who lives in Bulgaria. Hussein introduces readers to the blend of many cultures and traditions that his family has incorporated over the centuries: the henna hand painting from India, the observance of Muslim religious ceremonies, and an Arabic name passed down through generations. When communist soldiers arrive in their village, their freedom is curtailed. Hussein and his brother miss the celebrations they were used to, but the greatest indignity is being forced to adopt "Christian names." The illustrations provide a variety of interesting viewpoints and reveal the sadness in Hussein's eyes as his life changes in the wake of the purge. The pen-and-ink outlines are softened by gray-toned washes that, combined with soft watercolor hues, evoke an old-world landscape. For children who have always lived with freedom, this poignant story provides a glimpse at what life is like for many ethnic minorities. It also offers youngsters the opportunity to make their own decisions about prejudice when the young narrator, bringing the tale full circle, asks at the end, "What would you call me?"-Laurie Edwards, West Shore School District, Camp Hill, PA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
From Booklist
Gr. 1-3. Hussein, who looks about eight years old, lives happily in a Bulgarian village. He enjoys visiting his grandparents, celebrating Muslim holidays, and living in the midst of his loving, extended family. Midway through the story, though, the army arrives and forbids the villagers to speak their language, Romani, in the streets; go outside at night; or pray at the mosque. A policeman destroys the family's identity cards, which are reissued only after they have chosen Christian names. Illustrating the story are clean, expressive ink drawings washed with watercolors in shades of gray and warmed with brighter colors. Both story and illustrations provide a stark contrast between the child's initial contentment within his family and village and the unhappiness that Hussein, his family, and his whole community feel when the shadow of persecution falls over them. In the appended author's note, Kyuchukov explains that when he lived in Bulgaria in the mid-1980s, the Bulgarian government persecuted minorities and insisted that the one million Muslims living there choose Christian names. Until then, the author's name was Hussein. Written from a child's perspective in simple language and short sentences, this unusual picture book does an excellent job of showing the personal cost of political oppression in terms that are accessible. This book may be disturbing to preschoolers. Still, parents and teachers of older children may welcome the chance to introduce the story of Hussein, a Muslim boy whose joys, comforts, concerns, and fears are universal though firmly set in a particular place and time. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
