Snow in Jerusalem [Hardcover]

Deborah Da Costa (Author), Cornelius Van Wright (Illustrator), Ying-Hwa Hu (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 6 and up

Avi and Hamudi are two boys who live in Jerusalem's Old City--Avi in the Jewish Quarter and Hamudi in the Muslim Quarter. To each boy, the other's neighborhood is an alien land. And although neither boy knows it, both are caring for the same beautiful white stray cat. One day the boys follow the cat as she travels the winding streets and crosses the boundaries between the city's quarters. And on this journey something wonderful happens, as unexpected as a snowfall in Jerusalem.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In her affecting but message-driven debut children's book, da Costa relays the story of two boys who live in Jerusalem's Old City Avi in the Jewish Quarter and Hamudi in the Muslim Quarter. A fluffy white cat wanders between the homes of the two boys, relishing the scraps each feeds her. Then weeks pass without any sign of the cat, alarming each boy. Looking skinny and dirty, the cat at last visits Avi, who then follows her to Hamudi's neighborhood, where the youngsters begin to argue, each claiming the cat is his. As a rare snowfall begins, the boys stop bickering and, fearing that the beloved animal will freeze, follow her through Jerusalem to a dark alley where they discover four kittens in a box. As the mother purrs loudly and rubs against the boys, they conclude, "She does not want us to fight.... She wants peace." The watercolor art by this husband-and-wife team (Mei-Mei Loves the Morning) balances precise, close-up portraits of the boys with softly focused backgrounds that depict the various cultural nuances of the setting. A glossary defines the Hebrew and Arabic words integrated into the text. Ages 6-10.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

K-Gr 3-As the problems in the Middle East continue to rage, this didactic story of finding common ground and a way to make peace seems both simplistic and apropos. Both Avi, who lives in the Jewish Quarter of Jerusalem, and Hamudi, from the Muslim Quarter, love the white stray cat they feed. After she disappears and reappears, Avi follows the feline and discovers Hamudi feeding her. As they argue about ownership, snow begins to fall, and she runs away. Predictably, when they find her, she has four new kittens, which they argue over and finally agree to share, each taking two of them home. The narrative flows smoothly, and da Costa's language makes the story seem more a legend or folktale than a modern tale. The watercolor-and-pencil illustrations are done in a realistic style that suits the narrative, but the boys look alike except for their different jackets and the fact that Avi wears a yarmulke. The endpapers, which depict the old city with the Wailing Wall and the Dome of the Rock practically touching, are quite effective. School libraries may want to consider this serviceable title for opening discussions about the Middle East.

Amy Lilien-Harper, The Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company (October 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807575216
• ISBN-13: 978-0807575215
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #948,867 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A story for now more than ever., September 18, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Snow in Jerusalem (Hardcover)

At it's heart, this book is about two children who find a cat, fight over it, and learn to share. But the backdrop of Jerusalem and the conflict between Jews and Palestinians makes it a very special read.

The illustrations are wonderful, and the words exceptional.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An uplifting, very highly recommended children's story, December 15, 2001

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Snow in Jerusalem (Hardcover)

Snow In Jerusalem is a thought-provoking children's picturebook written by Deborah da Costa about two young boys who live in Jerusalem's Old City - Avi in the Jewish Quarter and Hamudi in the Muslim Quarter. Though neither boy knows it, both of them are caring for the same, beautiful white stray cat. One day the boys follow the cat across the boundaries between the city's quarters, and something wonderful happens, as unexpected as a snowfall in Jerusalem. The muted, softly blurring yet endearingly memorable color illustrations by Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu bring to life this gentle parable. Snow In Jerusalem is an uplifting, very highly recommended children's story with a core message of hope and love.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Snow in Jerusalem, July 11, 2011

By 

K - teacher - See all my reviews

This review is from: Snow in Jerusalem (Albert Whitman Prairie Books) (Paperback)

I think Snow in Jerusalem is a heart warming story. It brings two young boys together who are from differnt religions, one Jewish and one Muslim. The story includes colorful illustrations that represent the old city of Jerusalem and its different sections. Another aspect of this story that I like is the glossary. Throughout the story both boys speak a few words in Arabic and Hebrew. The glossary offers definitions and a pronunciation guide.