Sami and the Time of the Troubles (Paperback)

by Florence Parry Heide (Author), Judith Heide Gilliland (Author) "My name is Sami, and I live in the time of the troubles..." (more)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
In this "poignant and appealing" story, a boy longs for peace in his war-torn Beirut; PW noted that Lewin's art "exudes a brave optimism." Ages 5-9.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
Grade 3 Up-- Ten-year-old Sami lives in Beirut, Lebanon. Because of gunfire and bombing in the streets, he and his family spend much of their time in the basement of an uncle's house. There they listen to the radio or stare at the carpets Sami's mother insisted on bringing along as reminders of a normal life. When there is a lull in the fighting, the boy enjoys a day at the beach or meets with a friend to make a fort and play at war. ```When we are older, we will have real guns,''' says Amir. Sami disagrees. ```The fighting will be over then. It cannot last forever.''' At the story's end, Sami and his family are back underground listening as the ``noises of the night'' begin. As in The Day of Ahmed's Secret (Lothrop, 1990), three marvelously talented collaborators offer a powerful, poignant book. Heide and Gilliland's lyrically written, haunting story makes clear that war threatens not only physical existence but affects the human spirit as well. Lewin's watercolor illustrations capture contemporary Beirut with stunning clarity and drama. A bridal party walks through the rubble of a bombed-out street, old men drink coffee and smoke water-pipes, a blue sky startles with its brilliance. And Sami--surrounded by the carpets whose muted colors suggest a glimmering of hope--waits in the black cave of a basement. Unforgettable. --Ellen D. Warwick, Robbins Library, Arlington, MA
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Paperback: 40 pages
• Publisher: Sandpiper (September 18, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395720850
• ISBN-13: 978-0395720851
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 8.8 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #819,357 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Touchable, June 2, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Sami and the Time of the Troubles (Hardcover)

This book will help children put themselves into Sami's war ravaged world. They will feel the angst of civil war and worry about Sami's safety in a book that makes readers feel as if they could reach out and touch the rubble in the streets of Lebanon. The book portrays the intermittent bombing and roller coaster of emotions faced by those who lived through the civil war. A wonderful mix of history and fiction which must be read.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book of hope........, July 30, 2003

By A Customer

My boyfriend lived in Lebanon during the time frame of this book. This book was close to the life he knew then. I bought the book for my sister's Arab American child. It is often difficult to find children's books with an Arabic theme. This is a wonderful one.

4.0 out of 5 stars Sami and the Time of the Troubles, April 5, 2008

By	Belgica Lopez "Belgical" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

A great source for teaching multicultural literature. I think it's a good read-aloud because it facilitates discussion.