Customer Reviews

One More River (Puffin Books)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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".

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).

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.

I see why the book had to be rewritten to bring the politics up to date. In rewriting the book, the the characterizations are more complex. For example, it is hinted that Lesley's mother was less enthusiastic about moving to Israel, than her father: this was not mentioned in the original book. Also the characterization of Lesley's father is shown more complexly: with more flaws.

However, in deepening the characters, the author has softened the initial depiction in the original book of Lesley as a spoiled B-R-A-T that you love to HATE, into a spoiled rich girl who is still likeable, and therefore the healing and transformation of Lesley into a young woman of cahracter, by her experience of the land of Israel and the kibbutz,
is a less dramatic, and thus a less interesting story.

However, this is still a highly enjoyable book for both teenagers and adults to read: n enjoyable powerful story of transformation and growing up. I would agree with another customer review that this book should be read along with the young adult novel "Habibi" by poet Naomi Shihab Nye, which tells about a Palestinian teenage girl about the same age as Lesley, so that readers can get both points of view: a discussion of how Lesley and Liyana both love the same land, and how and why they see it differently, could be educational.

I liked this book because it's interesting on every page and it's very realistic. In the beginning of the book I did not like Lesley, the main character. I did not like her because she was very snobby, self-centered, and she judged people by their looks and popularity too much. But as I read further into the book I liked Lesley because she was not snobby and she did not judge people by their looks and popularity as much. I recommend this book to people who like to read about teens and who want to learn about the Six Day war between Israel against all of it's neighbors. Patricia Randolph 6th grade ASIJ

After reading this book I think that I feel like I have experienced the pain myself. I think that this story opened my eyes better than a history book ever could. Personaly I think that this book was a good read.I suggest that everyone read this excellent book.

I'd read this book over and over with out getting tired this story is made to teenage girls it has love!!! and mystery!!!and action!!! and sadness! hapinees! loved it soooooooooo much the only book i read that is better than this is HARRY POTTER SERIES LOVE BOTH OF THEM!!!

A great book!......what does that exactly mean? A favorite author, a lot of pages, or a really cool looking cover? To me a great book is one that grabs you from the minute that you read the first page, and that is exactly what Lynne Reid Banks did when she wrote One More River! As I read One More River all that I remember thinking was "I wonder what will happen next?" I enjoyed reading every page and every chapter of the book. I laughed at several parts and I cried, I really got into this book and enjoyed it too! Andria Navin at The American School In Japan.

As I opened this book to begin, I was thinking: "Oh, just another class book." But as I closed it at the end, my thoughts were more like: Wow, what a good book! To begin with, this book pushes you into the story on the first or second page. After that it keeps you deeply into it for almost the whole book, but in the middle it kind of slows down for a few pages here and there. This book has wondeful climaxes now and then. And the ending is, I wouldn't call it sad, but I guess you could call it very touching. I highly recommend this book! -By Katie Manning

An intriguing kids'-eye view of events surrounding the 1967 war--considerably less violent and more hopeful than Broken Bridge. Also just a good account of the trials and tribulations of dealing with life in a new country. This definitely should be paired with Naomi Shihab Nye's Habibi.