The Button Box. Bridget Hodder and Fawzia Gilani-Williams. Illustrated by Harshad Marathe. 2022. 152 pages. [Source: Library]
First sentence: "Don't tell Granny Buena, okay?" Ava wiped her face on the sleeve of her sweatshirt. She hoped it wasn't obvious that she'd been crying most of the way back from school. Her cousin Nadeem paused on the steps of their grandmother's house.
Premise/plot: Ava and Nadeem are first cousins and close friends. Ava is Jewish. (As is their grandmother). Nadeem is Muslim (like his mother). These two are tired of being teased by a bullying classmate. Their grandmother offers support, comfort, and a story...a story tied to the BUTTON BOX. This box of buttons has been passed on through the family for generations--centuries. Each button has a story. These two can't wait to hear about them all...
But this story takes them back--quite literally--to ancient Morocco just on the verge of a golden age of peace for Muslims, Jews, and Christians.
My thoughts: I am NOT doing justice to this one. Sadly. Storytelling. Time travel. Family history. A cat (Sheba) with a magical jewel. It is a fantasy novel with a good, solid message. I loved the premise. The story--despite my horrible description--was quite intriguing. I enjoyed it very much.
© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers
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