From Booklist
Reviewed with Victoria Parker's The Vatican.Gr. 2-5. These readable titles in the new Holy Places series use a sacred site as a starting point for talking about the religion. Clear color photos on every page and lots of boxed insets with information on where, why, when, and how people celebrate faith make the format exceptionally attractive. What is the Sistine Chapel? What is the first sacrament? What is the Hajj? What is the Qur'an? Who wears what? Each book has a section on feast days and festivals and on other holy places, and both books make the point that Jerusalem is a special place for Christians, Jews, and Muslims. Mecca includes a personal account by a woman from England who went on Hajj. Vatican has a profile of the present Pope. Introducing each religion in this way--through history, culture, places, festivals, people, and prayer--works very well. A glossary rounds out each book. Hazel Rochman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Card catalog description
An introduction to Islam which focuses on the holy sites of the religion.
Mecca ANNOTATION
An introduction to Islam which focuses on the holy sites of the religion.
FROM THE CRITICS
Children's Literature - Karen Leggett
With the Middle East in the news everyday, American young people now regularly hear words like "hajj" and "Mecca" and this book represents a worthy beginning in explaining these places and practices. There are some inaccuracies that will certainly aggravate Muslim readers ﾽ there are no graves at the Ka'bah in Mecca, for example; Muslims pray toward Mecca but mosques themselves don't face in any particular direction; and Muhammad recited the Quran, he did not read it. But the book does find the common ground among Jewish, Christian and Muslim stories and holy texts; photographs are colorful, current and plentiful, and all the text follows the Muslim practice of writing "pbuh" (peace be upon him) after the name of the prophet Muhammad. There is an explanation of the pilgrimage to Mecca and a short essay by a young Muslim woman from England who had just completed her first hajj: "all the prayers and rituals help you to find peace inside yourself." There is a brief description of the Muslim year as well as the importance of Muslim sites in Jerusalem and Medinah. A short but thorough glossary and an easy-to-use index will help students just learning to use nonfiction books for research. Other titles in the "Holy Places" series visit Bodh Gaya, the Ganges, the Golden Temple, the Vatican and the Western Wall. 2003, Raintree,
Art & Photography
Book Info
