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Sami's Special Gift: An Eid Al-Adha Story
Author
Illustrator
Hüseyin Sönmezay
Publication Date
April 16, 2024
Genre / Grade Band
Fiction / 2nd − 3rd
Language
English
Format
Picture Book
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Description
It's Eid al-Adha, and Sami wants to celebrate. But this year is different after his grandfather's passing. A touching picture book about kindness towards others.
Sami worries that the Eid al-Adha carnival won't be as fun without Dede (his grandfather), who died recently. Sami's grandmother sends him one of Dede's ties, and Sami vows to never take it off.
After going to the mosque for Eid prayer, Sami's family stop at the shelter where Baba and Anne volunteer. Can an unexpected encounter and a special gift help Sami change his mind about celebrating?
The gift of giving and putting yourself in someone else's shoes shines through in this engaging, poignant holiday story.
Publication date
April 16, 2024
Genre
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781623542962
Lexile Measure
550
Publisher
Charlesbridge Publishing
BISAC categories
JUV039050 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Emotions & Feelings
JUV039070 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Homelessness & Poverty
JUV017080 - Juvenile Fiction | Holidays & Celebrations | Other, Non-Religious
JUV039070 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Homelessness & Poverty
JUV017080 - Juvenile Fiction | Holidays & Celebrations | Other, Non-Religious
Library of Congress categories
Picture books
Conduct of life
Homeless persons
Homeless children
Gifts
AId al-Aodohaa
Conduct of life
Homeless persons
Homeless children
Gifts
AId al-Aodohaa
Kirkus
Caring and sharing drive this charming tale.
School Library Journal
Starred Review
PreS-Gr 2--A gift to all readers! Sami's special day starts with a gift from his late grandfather, mosque for prayers and a buffet; a stop at the butcher to get food to share with a local homeless shelter; and, finally, a carnival to celebrate the holiday. Readers who celebrate Eid al-Adha will enjoy seeing their annual tradition, while readers who do not practice Islam will get a peek into a modern way to celebrate an ancient holiday. Young readers will enjoy the colorful illustrations and following the journey Sami takes with his younger sister Sara throughout the day. Adults will love to use this story as a model to broach conversations about traditions, as well as deeper themes of loss, philanthropy, and homelessness. Back matter contains a glossary and definitions of Eid al-Adha and homeless shelters. VERDICT An easy recommendation for all libraries. Add it to elementary and high school shelves.--Samantha Hull
Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission. M O Yuksel
M. O. Yuksel is the award-winning author of In My Mosque; One Wish: Fatima al-Fihri and the World's Oldest University; and Ramadan Kareem. She was born in Türkiye, raised in New York City, and now lives in New Jersey. She loves celebrating Eid al-Adha and going to the carnival with her family. Hüseyin Sönmezay is a freelance illustrator. He was born in Bulgaria and moved to Türkiye when he was young. He attended vocational school with a concentration in graphic design. He has worked with local and international agencies and publishers and has illustrated more than forty picture books as well as various magazine illustrations. He currently lives in Izmir with his wife and two daughters, and this is his first book in the United States. www.huseyinsonmezay.com
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