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The Button Box
After Jewish fifth-grader Ava and her Muslim best friend Nadeem are called hateful names at school, Ava's Granny Buena rummages in her closet and pulls out a glittering crystal button box. It's packed with buttons that generations of Ava's Sephardic ancestors have cherished. With the help of Granny's mysterious cat Sheba, Ava and Nadeem discover that a button from the button box will take them back in time. Suddenly, they are in ancient Morocco, where Nadeem's ancestor, Prince Abdur Rahman, is running for his life. Can Ava and Nadeem help the prince escape to Spain and fulfill his destiny, creating a legendary Golden Age for Muslims, Jews and Christians?
152 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2022
13 people are currently reading
2088 people want to read
About the author
Bridget Hodder
5 books91 followersI'm a dreamer and a do-gooder. When I realized (around age 9) that my efforts to make this world a better place were falling pretty flat, I decided to make up entirely different, better worlds of my own, and ask readers to join me there.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
February 14, 2022
Welcome, readers!
The real reason I'm posting this "review" is to note that since my co-author Fawzia Gilani Williams is not a member of Goodreads, she is sometimes omitted from the "Author" space on this website or in the app. I am NOT the sole author of this book.
SO....it's really important that I uplift, affirm, and credit my co-author!
***Fawzia Gilani Williams, peace activist, librarian, teacher, and dear friend***
This story would never have been written without her.
Shalom, Salaam!
The real reason I'm posting this "review" is to note that since my co-author Fawzia Gilani Williams is not a member of Goodreads, she is sometimes omitted from the "Author" space on this website or in the app. I am NOT the sole author of this book.
SO....it's really important that I uplift, affirm, and credit my co-author!
***Fawzia Gilani Williams, peace activist, librarian, teacher, and dear friend***
This story would never have been written without her.
Shalom, Salaam!
March 25, 2022
This 152 page book reads like a historical fiction interfaith Magic Treehouse for middle grades tale, and I thoroughly enjoyed it! I learned about Sephardic Jews, the language of Ladino, Prince Abdur Rahman, and a tiny bit about the Abbasids overthrowing the Ummayads. I love that it starts with a map and ends with sources, facts about what information is real in the book and what is fiction, and a bit about Muslims and Jews and how to be an ally if you witness prejudice. The book is co-authored, and in many ways the Jewish narrative does take the majority of the focus, but the Islamic phrases sprinkled in, the Islam practiced by a major character, and the setting, allow for both religions to shine and combine to make a compelling magical time traveling story for third graders (and their parents) and up.
SYNOPSIS:
Cousins Ava and Nadeem are in fifth grade and spend their afternoons afterschool with their Granny Buena. Granny and Ava are Jewish and Nadeem is Muslim, though they believe differently, they always seem to find more that is the same, and respect is always given. When they face bullying at school Granny Buena pulls out a crystal box full of buttons and tells the children, and the cat Sheba a tale about their ancestor Ester ibn Evram. When she stops the story short, the two kids exam the button closer and find themselves back in time tasked with saving Prince Abdur Rahman and getting him from Africa to Spain. They aren't sure if that will be enough to get them back to their own time though, but they don't have time to overthink it because if they fail, the Golden Age of Islam won't happen, peace won't come to Muslims, Jews, and Christians in the region, and their Jewish ancestors may face the backlash of helping the Muslim escape. Along the way, they learn about their own family traditions, beliefs, and gain wisdom to handle their bullying problem at school.
WHY I LIIKE IT:
I love that I learned so much, and from what I could Google and ask about from those more knowledgeable, the facts about the time period and cultures all seem to check out. Only one passage comparing Jewish belief and the text of the Quran is phrased oddly in my opinion, the rest of the Islamic sprinkling is well done. There are numerous bismillahs, mashaAllahs, stopping for salat, quoting of the Quran and more. The narrative is primarily Jewish, but the setting Islamic with athans being called and Salams being given. The book does have a lot of Jewish detail, but I don't think it was preachy, and the further uniqueness of Ladino words and culture I think would appeal to all readers no matter how familiar or unfamiliar they are with the two religions.
There are some questions that as an adult reader I wanted to know more about: how Nadeem and his mom are practicing Muslims in a strong Jewish family, how making sure history happened as it happened the first time sent the two kids back...then why were they sent there at all, is there going to be more button adventures, were their two cats or was it the same cat? Honestly, a lot of the more obvious fantasy plot holes were accounted for and done quickly and simply: how their clothes changed but the button remained, how they could speak the language, how confused their aunt would be when her real niece and nephew arrived, etc.. The writing quality kept it all clear for the reader, and did so without the pacing of the story suffering.
FLAGS:
Near death experience, magic, mention of killing, fear, deception, bullying, fighting, physical altercation, misogynistic assumptions.
TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:
This would be a great story to share if I return to the classroom. The history, the religions, the storytelling would provide so much to connect to and learn about. As a book club selection though, it would be too young for our middle school readers and ultimately too short. I would consider it for a read a loud with fourth and fifth grade.
SYNOPSIS:
Cousins Ava and Nadeem are in fifth grade and spend their afternoons afterschool with their Granny Buena. Granny and Ava are Jewish and Nadeem is Muslim, though they believe differently, they always seem to find more that is the same, and respect is always given. When they face bullying at school Granny Buena pulls out a crystal box full of buttons and tells the children, and the cat Sheba a tale about their ancestor Ester ibn Evram. When she stops the story short, the two kids exam the button closer and find themselves back in time tasked with saving Prince Abdur Rahman and getting him from Africa to Spain. They aren't sure if that will be enough to get them back to their own time though, but they don't have time to overthink it because if they fail, the Golden Age of Islam won't happen, peace won't come to Muslims, Jews, and Christians in the region, and their Jewish ancestors may face the backlash of helping the Muslim escape. Along the way, they learn about their own family traditions, beliefs, and gain wisdom to handle their bullying problem at school.
WHY I LIIKE IT:
I love that I learned so much, and from what I could Google and ask about from those more knowledgeable, the facts about the time period and cultures all seem to check out. Only one passage comparing Jewish belief and the text of the Quran is phrased oddly in my opinion, the rest of the Islamic sprinkling is well done. There are numerous bismillahs, mashaAllahs, stopping for salat, quoting of the Quran and more. The narrative is primarily Jewish, but the setting Islamic with athans being called and Salams being given. The book does have a lot of Jewish detail, but I don't think it was preachy, and the further uniqueness of Ladino words and culture I think would appeal to all readers no matter how familiar or unfamiliar they are with the two religions.
There are some questions that as an adult reader I wanted to know more about: how Nadeem and his mom are practicing Muslims in a strong Jewish family, how making sure history happened as it happened the first time sent the two kids back...then why were they sent there at all, is there going to be more button adventures, were their two cats or was it the same cat? Honestly, a lot of the more obvious fantasy plot holes were accounted for and done quickly and simply: how their clothes changed but the button remained, how they could speak the language, how confused their aunt would be when her real niece and nephew arrived, etc.. The writing quality kept it all clear for the reader, and did so without the pacing of the story suffering.
FLAGS:
Near death experience, magic, mention of killing, fear, deception, bullying, fighting, physical altercation, misogynistic assumptions.
TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:
This would be a great story to share if I return to the classroom. The history, the religions, the storytelling would provide so much to connect to and learn about. As a book club selection though, it would be too young for our middle school readers and ultimately too short. I would consider it for a read a loud with fourth and fifth grade.
May 18, 2022
"The Button Box" by Bridget Hodder and Fawzia Gilani-Williams is a lower MG mildly fantasy story about Ava and Nadeem, two Mexican-American children who are Jewish and Muslim, respectively.
Thanks to their grandmother's magical button box, they travel back in time to medieval Morocco, to play a pivotal role in the escape of the Umayyad Prince Abdul Rahman - he who would later go on to create Islamic Andalusia.
The book isn't bad in and of itself - it gives off very Magic Treehouse vibes (ahh elementary school memories lol). It's a unique way to introduce this little bit of history, and as this book is essentially about positive interfaith engagement, makes a point of highlighting how Jews and Muslims have shared history and coexistence in peace etc.
Personally, I felt that there was more emphasis on the Jewish element and how they saved the Muslim prince. It would also have been nice to bring up more about Muslim Spain and its accomplishments historically.
It was also never fully explained how Nadeem and Ava are family with different religious backgrounds - the implication was that Nadeem's family were born Muslims, not converts, but I would have really liked to see that explored a little more!
There's nothing really problematic, and it's a good enough story, but it didn't necessarily wow me. Good as a general history unit/ language arts resource, I'd say.
4/5 🌟
#Bookstagram #Muslimbookstagram #MG #lowerMG #interfaith #MuslimHistory #JewishHistory #WeNeedDiverseBooks #diversereads #OwnVoices #diverserepresentation
Thanks to their grandmother's magical button box, they travel back in time to medieval Morocco, to play a pivotal role in the escape of the Umayyad Prince Abdul Rahman - he who would later go on to create Islamic Andalusia.
The book isn't bad in and of itself - it gives off very Magic Treehouse vibes (ahh elementary school memories lol). It's a unique way to introduce this little bit of history, and as this book is essentially about positive interfaith engagement, makes a point of highlighting how Jews and Muslims have shared history and coexistence in peace etc.
Personally, I felt that there was more emphasis on the Jewish element and how they saved the Muslim prince. It would also have been nice to bring up more about Muslim Spain and its accomplishments historically.
It was also never fully explained how Nadeem and Ava are family with different religious backgrounds - the implication was that Nadeem's family were born Muslims, not converts, but I would have really liked to see that explored a little more!
There's nothing really problematic, and it's a good enough story, but it didn't necessarily wow me. Good as a general history unit/ language arts resource, I'd say.
4/5 🌟
#Bookstagram #Muslimbookstagram #MG #lowerMG #interfaith #MuslimHistory #JewishHistory #WeNeedDiverseBooks #diversereads #OwnVoices #diverserepresentation
March 30, 2022
What an enchanting and magical story. This one reminds me so much of the Magic Treehouse series and I simply fell in love with it.
I LOVE Ava and Nadeem and how their Granny Buena teaches, blends together and honors the different heritages and cultures.
The journey back in time and the adventure Ava, Nadeem and Ester get mixed up in is fun to read. Their courage and determination is inspiring. I cannot wait to share this with my grandbabies. They are going to love this one.
I sincerely appreciate the publisher and Books Forward for providing me with a review copy. All opinions expressed herein are mine and mine alone.
I LOVE Ava and Nadeem and how their Granny Buena teaches, blends together and honors the different heritages and cultures.
The journey back in time and the adventure Ava, Nadeem and Ester get mixed up in is fun to read. Their courage and determination is inspiring. I cannot wait to share this with my grandbabies. They are going to love this one.
I sincerely appreciate the publisher and Books Forward for providing me with a review copy. All opinions expressed herein are mine and mine alone.
April 20, 2022
This is a fun, short adventure for the lower end of the middle grade range, which packs adventure, addresses bullying and even hits upon history.
After being bullied for their religions, Ava, a Jew, and her cousin Nadeem, a Muslim, decide to ask Granny for advice. When she pulls out a button box and explains that the buttons inside have been collected for hundreds and hundreds of years, that's already amazing. But when they hear one hum, their curiosity shoots through the roof. When Granny lays down for a nap, they open the box and are soon zipped back into time.
The first pages dive right into the first issue, meeting Ava and Nadeem as they hesitate to tell their Granny what happened at school. Both come across as every day kids, and the Granny is one with quirks to love. While I did, at first, fear this might be a bit cliche on the bullying message, it quickly steers into a very unique and exciting direction. The tension and plot build steadily and smoothly, allowing the reader to sink into Ava and Nadeem in modern times before they are whisked away to the past. This makes sure there's a familiarity, which then keeps readers grounded and makes the past more natural.
This was an interesting way to glimpse back into history and an event, which most readers have probably never heard about. It takes a quick peek at Prince Abdur Rahman during a short section of his flight from the attempt to erase his entire family/bloodline, and that before he lands in Spain. Only a quick summary is given as to what is going on, and yet, it's enough to make the historic figure take root in readers' minds. Of course, the surrounding scenes and world do a great job at displaying how life might have been at that time, and it did this in a way, which made the historic characters come across as naturally as the modern ones. For those, who want a little more depth on the historic figure, there is a slightly more in-depth look at the end of the book.
The last purpose of this read surrounds the two religions: Muslim and Jews. Especially in modern times, it isn't unheard of to have mixed families, and this tale takes a look at that. It works well with the historical angle, too, since Abdur Rahman is known for supporting religious tolerance during his rule in Spain. The two authors have each put a section at the end of the book, which gives different glimpses into the two religions and offers some explanations as well as a little added history. It does emphasis that the two religions worship the same god...however, parents/guardians/caretakers might want to read through this themselves first, since it does offer an over-simplified view and explanation on what is actually a much more complex topic.
I definitely enjoyed how this tale flows and found it very well done, especially in how it presented so many themes in such an entertaining (and never preachy) manner. I received an ARC and found that it flowed very well.
After being bullied for their religions, Ava, a Jew, and her cousin Nadeem, a Muslim, decide to ask Granny for advice. When she pulls out a button box and explains that the buttons inside have been collected for hundreds and hundreds of years, that's already amazing. But when they hear one hum, their curiosity shoots through the roof. When Granny lays down for a nap, they open the box and are soon zipped back into time.
The first pages dive right into the first issue, meeting Ava and Nadeem as they hesitate to tell their Granny what happened at school. Both come across as every day kids, and the Granny is one with quirks to love. While I did, at first, fear this might be a bit cliche on the bullying message, it quickly steers into a very unique and exciting direction. The tension and plot build steadily and smoothly, allowing the reader to sink into Ava and Nadeem in modern times before they are whisked away to the past. This makes sure there's a familiarity, which then keeps readers grounded and makes the past more natural.
This was an interesting way to glimpse back into history and an event, which most readers have probably never heard about. It takes a quick peek at Prince Abdur Rahman during a short section of his flight from the attempt to erase his entire family/bloodline, and that before he lands in Spain. Only a quick summary is given as to what is going on, and yet, it's enough to make the historic figure take root in readers' minds. Of course, the surrounding scenes and world do a great job at displaying how life might have been at that time, and it did this in a way, which made the historic characters come across as naturally as the modern ones. For those, who want a little more depth on the historic figure, there is a slightly more in-depth look at the end of the book.
The last purpose of this read surrounds the two religions: Muslim and Jews. Especially in modern times, it isn't unheard of to have mixed families, and this tale takes a look at that. It works well with the historical angle, too, since Abdur Rahman is known for supporting religious tolerance during his rule in Spain. The two authors have each put a section at the end of the book, which gives different glimpses into the two religions and offers some explanations as well as a little added history. It does emphasis that the two religions worship the same god...however, parents/guardians/caretakers might want to read through this themselves first, since it does offer an over-simplified view and explanation on what is actually a much more complex topic.
I definitely enjoyed how this tale flows and found it very well done, especially in how it presented so many themes in such an entertaining (and never preachy) manner. I received an ARC and found that it flowed very well.
April 4, 2022
What a delightful, wonderful story! When cousins Ava and Nadeem are bullied for their faith - Jewish and Muslim respectively - they seek out their grandmother for advice. She in turn sends them to the family’s button box, and the timer travelling adventure begins! Loved this book for its adventure, strong sense of family, and positive messages around faith, kindness, acceptance and tolerance. The characters are wonderful and kids will delight in following this adventure that does a wonderful job of putting faith in historical context!
March 15, 2022
Heartiest gratitude to Netgalley, the authors and the publishers for proving me with an ARC.
Despite being cousins, Ava is Jewish and Nadim is Muslim, possibly the top two religions targeted for bullying by people of different faiths. The fact that they belong in same family but practice different religions doesn't help at all and the hateful behaviors of bullies at school *almost* reduce them to tears. They share the saddening events with their Granny Buena who lightens the mood by bringing out a mysterious button box and narrating fascinating stories of their ancestors, only to stop in the middle, leaving them unsatisfied. They sneakily try to figure out more about the box when by surprising turns of events, they go back in time in ancient Morocco, where they meet their ancestors. One of them happens to be Prince Abdur Rahman, member of Umayyad dynasty in Spain, fleeing for his life from the Abbasids. Ava and Nadim find themselves standing at a crucial point of the history. One wrong move can change the entire future. They might not even be born! Will they be able to blend with their extended family and save the day?
I read the book in less than 24 hours. It grabbed my attention from the very first line and by the time I finished, I knew without a doubt, it's gonna be categorized as one of the 'Oh My Goodness! What have I just Read's in my heart. Phenomenal, feel-good and fantastic story-telling with equally powerful and important concept have set this book apart, leaving a long lasting effect. I am just blown away by its magnificence and sheer brilliance.
Those who love historical fictions like me, you must read this! Filled with warmth, love & friendship, familial ties, exciting adventures, cultural and religious diversity, historical facts, this book will engage and speak to readers of all ages. I can't recommend it enough. I am buying a copy as soon as I can.
Despite being cousins, Ava is Jewish and Nadim is Muslim, possibly the top two religions targeted for bullying by people of different faiths. The fact that they belong in same family but practice different religions doesn't help at all and the hateful behaviors of bullies at school *almost* reduce them to tears. They share the saddening events with their Granny Buena who lightens the mood by bringing out a mysterious button box and narrating fascinating stories of their ancestors, only to stop in the middle, leaving them unsatisfied. They sneakily try to figure out more about the box when by surprising turns of events, they go back in time in ancient Morocco, where they meet their ancestors. One of them happens to be Prince Abdur Rahman, member of Umayyad dynasty in Spain, fleeing for his life from the Abbasids. Ava and Nadim find themselves standing at a crucial point of the history. One wrong move can change the entire future. They might not even be born! Will they be able to blend with their extended family and save the day?
I read the book in less than 24 hours. It grabbed my attention from the very first line and by the time I finished, I knew without a doubt, it's gonna be categorized as one of the 'Oh My Goodness! What have I just Read's in my heart. Phenomenal, feel-good and fantastic story-telling with equally powerful and important concept have set this book apart, leaving a long lasting effect. I am just blown away by its magnificence and sheer brilliance.
Those who love historical fictions like me, you must read this! Filled with warmth, love & friendship, familial ties, exciting adventures, cultural and religious diversity, historical facts, this book will engage and speak to readers of all ages. I can't recommend it enough. I am buying a copy as soon as I can.
April 7, 2022
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
This was a magical experience that allowed me to learn about different religions and cultures in a fun, educational story! Ava and Nadeem sound so close and are very adventurous kids. A unique, old button transports them back in time to save an ancestor from rivals. They work together to combat the “bullies,” both in the present and past. I’m not sure how accurate the scenarios would be, given I don’t have a background studying Judaism or Islam, but the story is a great starting point for discussion.
This was a magical experience that allowed me to learn about different religions and cultures in a fun, educational story! Ava and Nadeem sound so close and are very adventurous kids. A unique, old button transports them back in time to save an ancestor from rivals. They work together to combat the “bullies,” both in the present and past. I’m not sure how accurate the scenarios would be, given I don’t have a background studying Judaism or Islam, but the story is a great starting point for discussion.
August 26, 2022
Absolutely loved this multicultural time travel story for lower MG readers. The additional back matter will really enrich the reading experience for 3-4th graders who may not be familiar with the historical aspects of the story. In my opinion, this would make a great classroom read-aloud.
April 23, 2022
Cousins, Ava and Nadeem are being ridiculed by their 5th grade classmate for being Jewish and Muslim. As they are wondering what to do about the issue, their Granny Buena shows them a special button passed down from their ancestors who helped to save Prince Abdur Rahmann. Granny Buena begins to tell them the story of Ester, who aided Prince Abdur Rahmann in escaping ancient Morocco and finding his way to Spain to create a safe haven for Muslims, Jews and Christians. However, before Granny Buena can finish the story, Ava and Nadeem find out firsthand just how Prince Abdur Rahmann made his escape.
The Button Box is a middle grade historical adventure that is a lot of fun and incorporates the heritage of Muslim and Jewish culture. Ava and Nadeem face a common problem that Muslim and Jewish kids often face and come up with a very creative way to solve it once they experience life during Prince Abdur Rahmann's time. I loved the button and the cousin's cat, Sheba as time travel mechanisms and how Ava and Nadeem were able to integrate into ancient Morocco and learn about their history as well as their cultures through experiences in the past. Prince Abdul Rahmann was in fact a real person who helped to usher in the Golden Age for Muslims, Jews and Christians in Spain and I was glad to learn of his story. Ava and Nadeem learn valuable lessons from their journey to the past and are able to apply them to their present day in useful ways once they return. The Button Box is a fast-paced magical story tying together the shared Muslim and Jewish heritage and history.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
The Button Box is a middle grade historical adventure that is a lot of fun and incorporates the heritage of Muslim and Jewish culture. Ava and Nadeem face a common problem that Muslim and Jewish kids often face and come up with a very creative way to solve it once they experience life during Prince Abdur Rahmann's time. I loved the button and the cousin's cat, Sheba as time travel mechanisms and how Ava and Nadeem were able to integrate into ancient Morocco and learn about their history as well as their cultures through experiences in the past. Prince Abdul Rahmann was in fact a real person who helped to usher in the Golden Age for Muslims, Jews and Christians in Spain and I was glad to learn of his story. Ava and Nadeem learn valuable lessons from their journey to the past and are able to apply them to their present day in useful ways once they return. The Button Box is a fast-paced magical story tying together the shared Muslim and Jewish heritage and history.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
February 6, 2022
Digital ARC provided by Netgalley
Definitely 5 stars read for me. I enjoyed every page of the book and mostly due to the fact that the entire action is related to the Umayyad dynasty in Spain. It is such a nice middle grade that not only depicts a story and the connection between the members of a family with different religious history, but it also teaches children interesting and real historical notions and facts.
It is such a magnificent period in Spain’s history that kids will be fascinated to follow and interested at the end to know more about it.
Definitely 5 stars read for me. I enjoyed every page of the book and mostly due to the fact that the entire action is related to the Umayyad dynasty in Spain. It is such a nice middle grade that not only depicts a story and the connection between the members of a family with different religious history, but it also teaches children interesting and real historical notions and facts.
It is such a magnificent period in Spain’s history that kids will be fascinated to follow and interested at the end to know more about it.
March 30, 2022
I really appreciated how the author blends the importance of this social issue (bullying, accepting yourself) within a fantasy adventure that is intriguing and captivates you from the moment we hold the Button box. The story has so much more to tell and I cannot wait for a sequel!
February 8, 2022
I enjoyed this Middle Grade historical fiction novel and would recommend it to anyone with an interest in portal adventures. In addition to being a story about a time and place little explored in historical fiction, it is a much needed example of interfaith friendship and family. Ava and Nadeem are able to use what they learn in the past to repair the future. The book provides an important lesson about the the value of studying history and learning from it. The Button Box also reminds readers about the need for tolerance.
February 8, 2025
Gone in one sitting!
The plot was engaging with strong themes and the writing was very readable. I liked how the book sheds light on gender stereotypes and ancient history. I have some mixed feelings about the woo-woo magical realism and would have preferred more depth into the present timeline and bullying subplot, but this was an enjoyable read overall.
👩🏻 cherreading mood: Think matcha, Starbucks and me-time on a chill Friday night.
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC. I was approved in 2022 but failed to download the file in time, nothing like finding it at the library and finally clearing it off my shelf!
The plot was engaging with strong themes and the writing was very readable. I liked how the book sheds light on gender stereotypes and ancient history. I have some mixed feelings about the woo-woo magical realism and would have preferred more depth into the present timeline and bullying subplot, but this was an enjoyable read overall.
👩🏻 cherreading mood: Think matcha, Starbucks and me-time on a chill Friday night.
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC. I was approved in 2022 but failed to download the file in time, nothing like finding it at the library and finally clearing it off my shelf!
March 17, 2022
A beautiful interfaith fantasy story with time travel, a wise cat, and historical fiction woven through it!
Genre: Middle Grade
Ages: 9-12
Available: Amazon (preorder before April 1st)
Screening: this is a fantasy tale, so there are elements of time travel and mystical vibes, an ayah seemed slightly mistranslated
Nadeem and Ava are cousins. Nadeem is Muslim and Ava is Jewish. During an afternoon at their Granny’s, they stumble upon a special button in a button box. Their grandmother tells them the tale of their relative Ester and how she saved the prince Abd-AlRahman of Cordoba. While Granny is asleep, the kids are transported back in time and have to decide what to do. Do they stay as bystanders and witness injustice in history, or step in and become the heroes of their past?
I enjoyed reading this book and it is an adventurous kid-friendly tale with a lot of multi-cultural and multi-faith lessons. Ava is a Sephardic Jew (Jews from a North African/Mediterranean/Spanish background) and Nadeem a Muslim, and the book included prayers from both religions, parables, references, and beautiful mutual respect from all sides. I loved how all characters emphasized that their religions promote peace (Salaam, Shalom is said at some point) and that no matter who it is they see struggling, they are all obliged to help.
I liked the historical aspect and the useful information about Caliph Abd Al-Rahman of Cordoba and how he was the ruler of a golden age of Spain where Muslims and Jews lived side by side peacefully. I liked that this book showed both the Jewish and Muslim characters as heroes in their own right and shows the importance of standing up for justice, a lesson Ava and Nadeem both carry on back into their regular lives.
I loved the little details of Morocco and Morroccan culture, the little tidbits about Spanish history, and how Nadeem and Ava worked together as a team. I especially loved their granny and her parables.
A delightful tale and one sure to be useful for school age children of all backgrounds.
Genre: Middle Grade
Ages: 9-12
Available: Amazon (preorder before April 1st)
Screening: this is a fantasy tale, so there are elements of time travel and mystical vibes, an ayah seemed slightly mistranslated
Nadeem and Ava are cousins. Nadeem is Muslim and Ava is Jewish. During an afternoon at their Granny’s, they stumble upon a special button in a button box. Their grandmother tells them the tale of their relative Ester and how she saved the prince Abd-AlRahman of Cordoba. While Granny is asleep, the kids are transported back in time and have to decide what to do. Do they stay as bystanders and witness injustice in history, or step in and become the heroes of their past?
I enjoyed reading this book and it is an adventurous kid-friendly tale with a lot of multi-cultural and multi-faith lessons. Ava is a Sephardic Jew (Jews from a North African/Mediterranean/Spanish background) and Nadeem a Muslim, and the book included prayers from both religions, parables, references, and beautiful mutual respect from all sides. I loved how all characters emphasized that their religions promote peace (Salaam, Shalom is said at some point) and that no matter who it is they see struggling, they are all obliged to help.
I liked the historical aspect and the useful information about Caliph Abd Al-Rahman of Cordoba and how he was the ruler of a golden age of Spain where Muslims and Jews lived side by side peacefully. I liked that this book showed both the Jewish and Muslim characters as heroes in their own right and shows the importance of standing up for justice, a lesson Ava and Nadeem both carry on back into their regular lives.
I loved the little details of Morocco and Morroccan culture, the little tidbits about Spanish history, and how Nadeem and Ava worked together as a team. I especially loved their granny and her parables.
A delightful tale and one sure to be useful for school age children of all backgrounds.
November 21, 2023
This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
The Button Box is an interfaith historical fantasy in the vein of The Magic Treehouse Series. Ava is Jewish and her cousin Nadeem is Muslim, but they’ve never seen that as a problem. Unfortunately, some of the kids at school disagree, and those kids have made life difficult for both of them. But when Ava and Nadeem find a mysterious button, they are transported back in time to ancient Morocco. There they live out a historical adventure where Jews and Muslims work together, and they learn help the famed Prince Abdur Rahman so that he’s able to fulfill his destiny. Like I said, this book will definitely appeal to kids who enjoyed the Magic Treehouse books because it has the same feel, but it explores a more diverse history. I learned a lot about the language and culture of a group that I honestly didn’t even know existed, the Judeo-Spanish people. Hopefully kids will read this book and be inspired to learn even more!
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley for review. No compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
The Button Box is an interfaith historical fantasy in the vein of The Magic Treehouse Series. Ava is Jewish and her cousin Nadeem is Muslim, but they’ve never seen that as a problem. Unfortunately, some of the kids at school disagree, and those kids have made life difficult for both of them. But when Ava and Nadeem find a mysterious button, they are transported back in time to ancient Morocco. There they live out a historical adventure where Jews and Muslims work together, and they learn help the famed Prince Abdur Rahman so that he’s able to fulfill his destiny. Like I said, this book will definitely appeal to kids who enjoyed the Magic Treehouse books because it has the same feel, but it explores a more diverse history. I learned a lot about the language and culture of a group that I honestly didn’t even know existed, the Judeo-Spanish people. Hopefully kids will read this book and be inspired to learn even more!
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley for review. No compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
March 18, 2022
There are some good things about this book: good research into the history of Abd al-Rahman, who was real, and whom the children in the story help escape from Africa to Spain, which also happened in 755 CE. The kids in the book are both curious and respectful, and who doesn't love a cat that travels back in time with them to help complete their mission. I liked the button as the vehicle of time travel.
Those of us old enough to appreciate a grandmother's button box will enjoy the reference, but I'd be curious how many modern grandmothers keep a button box. I also found that closeness of the family with a Jewish grandmother and a Moslem grandson a little hard to believe. The authors also made a point of showing how the patriarchal society underestimated women, and in the end, a girl saved Abd al-Rahman from his enemies. Girl power yes, but again, a stretch to believe she steered a boat from the tip of Africa to Spain by herself.
Those of us old enough to appreciate a grandmother's button box will enjoy the reference, but I'd be curious how many modern grandmothers keep a button box. I also found that closeness of the family with a Jewish grandmother and a Moslem grandson a little hard to believe. The authors also made a point of showing how the patriarchal society underestimated women, and in the end, a girl saved Abd al-Rahman from his enemies. Girl power yes, but again, a stretch to believe she steered a boat from the tip of Africa to Spain by herself.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 22, 2022
You can read my full review on my blog, The Bookwyrm's Den, here.
Many thanks to Books Forward and Lerner/Kar-Ben Publishing for an eARC in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
Overall
As soon as I read the synopsis for this book, I absolutely knew I needed to read it! Have I mentioned lately how much I love diverse books? But diverse books that have a story to tell and that make me feel things. So of course The Button Box caught my eye, with two very different cousins who face the same modern problems have to work together to unravel their shared history and understand the beauty in the things they share as well as the things that make them different.
The Button Box is an adorable, heartwarming middle grade story about taking pride in your history. It celebrates family bonds, the differences that exist between us, and all the wonderful things that bring us together.
The story combines Judaism and Islam appreciation and history into one family in a way that is easy for middle graders to dive in and understand. It’s a great introduction for young readers who may not know much about either religion, and the authors weave a lot of history and culture in a way that not only teaches readers but will absolutely grab their attention.
My Thoughts
- Ava and Nadeem are utterly relatable middle grade characters: two kids just trying to live their best life, faced with bullying at school, who don’t entirely understand their history. I both love and don’t love the fact that a lot of middle grade readers will likely see themselves in Ava and Nadeem. Because bullying is bad, obviously. Unfortunately, it’s such a common thing that of course a lot of readers will relate to it, even if their bullying isn’t related to their religion, like it is for the cousins.
Part of what I love about how the authors approach this in The Button Box is that they’re not trying to change anyone’s minds about the bullying. Instead, the whole point is to change the protagonists’ perspectives. Bullying happens. It’s an unfortunate facet of life. Instead, Ava and Nadeem are taught the history of their family and why they should be proud in who they are and where they come from. It’s such a powerful message that I don’t see often in middle grade books that involve bullying. Most of those books talk about changing the bully’s mind or pit the bully as the villain, but in The Button Box, the bully is inconsequential and not given the time of day. Ava and Nadeem and the way they respond to the bullying is the most important thing, and that’s a narrative that I’m very fond of.
- The Button Box is filled with delightful tidbits of wisdom and snippets of culture that are as fun as they are unique. First, the children’s grandmother is absolutely full of wise sayings, which I love (even if the children roll their eyes at them, which okay, that’s fair, because don’t we all when our grandparents say weird things). I thought these were super fun, though. And maybe just a teensy bit trick kids into thinking about big concepts in ways they can easily digest and understand? Which I’m also a fan of.
Readers will also learn little bits of other religions and cultures while reading this, which I’m always a fan of! Kids (and adults . . . I speak for myself here, too!) tend to be fascinated with aspects of cultures they aren’t familiar with. I found it really interesting to see the different practices of faith and the different food and such!
- This book is an interesting mix of contemporary and historical fiction, as Ava and Nadeem are pulled into the past by a button (because what harm can come from a button, right?!). Readers will be introduced to ancient Morocco and some bits of culture, both religious and in general, which was very interesting. The authors really transport you to the past and paint a picture of ancient Morocco that was vivid and interesting. It’s a rather interesting time in Morocco, too. Prince Prince Abd al-Rahman (a.k.a. Prince Abdur Rahman) was a real man who brought Islam to Spain and established a kingdom that was safe for Jewish, Muslims, and Christians to live together and prosper.
That’s how the story ends, of course, but where Ava and Nadeem find themselves is in a tumultuous time in the past where the future of Prince Abdur Rahman is in question. He’s currently on the run from those who wish him harm. If he never makes it to Spain, the peaceful era he ushers in will never exist, but if any citizens of Morocco help him, it comes at a great threat to them and their families.
- The morals in this are utterly important ones: of history, of belonging, of working together, of doing what’s wrong, and of family. In short, this book has so many good messages packed into a historical adventure shell. I love when books have powerful messages without sounding preachy, and The Button Box definitely qualifies in that regard. It’s a book that would fit perfectly in classroom shelves and libraries, as it promotes acceptance and understanding, harmony, coexistence . . . and it’s just plain fun. What more could you really ask for?
Many thanks to Books Forward and Lerner/Kar-Ben Publishing for an eARC in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
Overall
As soon as I read the synopsis for this book, I absolutely knew I needed to read it! Have I mentioned lately how much I love diverse books? But diverse books that have a story to tell and that make me feel things. So of course The Button Box caught my eye, with two very different cousins who face the same modern problems have to work together to unravel their shared history and understand the beauty in the things they share as well as the things that make them different.
The Button Box is an adorable, heartwarming middle grade story about taking pride in your history. It celebrates family bonds, the differences that exist between us, and all the wonderful things that bring us together.
The story combines Judaism and Islam appreciation and history into one family in a way that is easy for middle graders to dive in and understand. It’s a great introduction for young readers who may not know much about either religion, and the authors weave a lot of history and culture in a way that not only teaches readers but will absolutely grab their attention.
My Thoughts
- Ava and Nadeem are utterly relatable middle grade characters: two kids just trying to live their best life, faced with bullying at school, who don’t entirely understand their history. I both love and don’t love the fact that a lot of middle grade readers will likely see themselves in Ava and Nadeem. Because bullying is bad, obviously. Unfortunately, it’s such a common thing that of course a lot of readers will relate to it, even if their bullying isn’t related to their religion, like it is for the cousins.
Part of what I love about how the authors approach this in The Button Box is that they’re not trying to change anyone’s minds about the bullying. Instead, the whole point is to change the protagonists’ perspectives. Bullying happens. It’s an unfortunate facet of life. Instead, Ava and Nadeem are taught the history of their family and why they should be proud in who they are and where they come from. It’s such a powerful message that I don’t see often in middle grade books that involve bullying. Most of those books talk about changing the bully’s mind or pit the bully as the villain, but in The Button Box, the bully is inconsequential and not given the time of day. Ava and Nadeem and the way they respond to the bullying is the most important thing, and that’s a narrative that I’m very fond of.
- The Button Box is filled with delightful tidbits of wisdom and snippets of culture that are as fun as they are unique. First, the children’s grandmother is absolutely full of wise sayings, which I love (even if the children roll their eyes at them, which okay, that’s fair, because don’t we all when our grandparents say weird things). I thought these were super fun, though. And maybe just a teensy bit trick kids into thinking about big concepts in ways they can easily digest and understand? Which I’m also a fan of.
Readers will also learn little bits of other religions and cultures while reading this, which I’m always a fan of! Kids (and adults . . . I speak for myself here, too!) tend to be fascinated with aspects of cultures they aren’t familiar with. I found it really interesting to see the different practices of faith and the different food and such!
- This book is an interesting mix of contemporary and historical fiction, as Ava and Nadeem are pulled into the past by a button (because what harm can come from a button, right?!). Readers will be introduced to ancient Morocco and some bits of culture, both religious and in general, which was very interesting. The authors really transport you to the past and paint a picture of ancient Morocco that was vivid and interesting. It’s a rather interesting time in Morocco, too. Prince Prince Abd al-Rahman (a.k.a. Prince Abdur Rahman) was a real man who brought Islam to Spain and established a kingdom that was safe for Jewish, Muslims, and Christians to live together and prosper.
That’s how the story ends, of course, but where Ava and Nadeem find themselves is in a tumultuous time in the past where the future of Prince Abdur Rahman is in question. He’s currently on the run from those who wish him harm. If he never makes it to Spain, the peaceful era he ushers in will never exist, but if any citizens of Morocco help him, it comes at a great threat to them and their families.
- The morals in this are utterly important ones: of history, of belonging, of working together, of doing what’s wrong, and of family. In short, this book has so many good messages packed into a historical adventure shell. I love when books have powerful messages without sounding preachy, and The Button Box definitely qualifies in that regard. It’s a book that would fit perfectly in classroom shelves and libraries, as it promotes acceptance and understanding, harmony, coexistence . . . and it’s just plain fun. What more could you really ask for?
February 14, 2022
After facing Islamophobia and antisemitism at school, Nadeem and Ava seek answers from their Granny Buena. She brings out their family's button box, and next thing they know, Nadeem and Ava are transported to ancient Morocco, tasked with helping to save the life of Prince Abdur Rahman. What will they experience and learn on their journey? Do they have a way to return back home?
Nadeem and Ava's story is one everyone should read. It pulls from true historical events, as Prince Abdur Rahman (Abd al-Rahman) really existed, and his life was in danger, just as in the book. It shows how people from different places in the world and people of different faiths work together for the greater good.
Ava and Granny Buena are Sephardic Jews, while Ava's cousin Nadeem is Muslim. The authors wrote these characters to share their identities and both the events throughout the book and the authors' note at the end taught me a lot, which I am thankful for.
I greatly enjoyed the depiction of ancient Morocco, the food, culture, scenery. It felt atmospheric and I really appreciated Nadeem's bewilderment at seeing this new place for the first time - that's exactly how I feel each time I travel somewhere new, somewhere that bears no resemblance to my hometown (or even country).
The writing really draws the reader in and does not let go. It's quite a short novel, so everything included is pertinent to the story, even if it may not seem to be that way at first. I would have loved more information, to gain more insight into the cultures and religions represented throughout, and to have a longer ending! No spoilers, but I would love to know what comes next!
If you love learning about different cultures, learning about history, travelling, reading about time travel, or just want to find a new diverse story to love, this one is for you. I highly encourage you to pick it up.
Rep: Sephardic Jews; Muslims; use of phrases in multiple languages including Hebrew, Arabic, and Ladino
CW: islamophobia, antisemitism
Rating system:
5 - absolutely love, little-to-no dislikes that did not impact my reading experience
4 - great book, minor dislikes that did have an impact on my reading experience
3 - good/decent book but for some reason did not hook me or there were some problematic things that just were not addressed or greatly impacted my reading experience
2 - is either a book I did not click with and did not enjoy, problematic aspects are not addressed and severely impacted my reading experience, or I DNF'd but think it has potential for others
1 - is very problematic, I would not recommend the book to anyone
Thank you to Netgalley and Kar-Ben Publishing for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. Expected pub date: April 1, 2022.
Nadeem and Ava's story is one everyone should read. It pulls from true historical events, as Prince Abdur Rahman (Abd al-Rahman) really existed, and his life was in danger, just as in the book. It shows how people from different places in the world and people of different faiths work together for the greater good.
Ava and Granny Buena are Sephardic Jews, while Ava's cousin Nadeem is Muslim. The authors wrote these characters to share their identities and both the events throughout the book and the authors' note at the end taught me a lot, which I am thankful for.
I greatly enjoyed the depiction of ancient Morocco, the food, culture, scenery. It felt atmospheric and I really appreciated Nadeem's bewilderment at seeing this new place for the first time - that's exactly how I feel each time I travel somewhere new, somewhere that bears no resemblance to my hometown (or even country).
The writing really draws the reader in and does not let go. It's quite a short novel, so everything included is pertinent to the story, even if it may not seem to be that way at first. I would have loved more information, to gain more insight into the cultures and religions represented throughout, and to have a longer ending! No spoilers, but I would love to know what comes next!
If you love learning about different cultures, learning about history, travelling, reading about time travel, or just want to find a new diverse story to love, this one is for you. I highly encourage you to pick it up.
Rep: Sephardic Jews; Muslims; use of phrases in multiple languages including Hebrew, Arabic, and Ladino
CW: islamophobia, antisemitism
Rating system:
5 - absolutely love, little-to-no dislikes that did not impact my reading experience
4 - great book, minor dislikes that did have an impact on my reading experience
3 - good/decent book but for some reason did not hook me or there were some problematic things that just were not addressed or greatly impacted my reading experience
2 - is either a book I did not click with and did not enjoy, problematic aspects are not addressed and severely impacted my reading experience, or I DNF'd but think it has potential for others
1 - is very problematic, I would not recommend the book to anyone
Thank you to Netgalley and Kar-Ben Publishing for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. Expected pub date: April 1, 2022.
April 4, 2022
Opening Line: "Don't tell Granny Buena, okay?"
After being bullied, called an awful name, and losing a button off her shirt at school, Ava implores her cousin Nadeem not to tell their Granny Buena. But Nadeem knows Granny will find out anyways because he can't keep a secret like that from his mom, who will ultimately tell Granny, so he tells Ava that she'll just end up having to confess everything to their Granny anyway. Granny Buena calmly listens to Ava's story and upon seeing her missing button, pulls out her button box, filled with generations of buttons from their Sephardic ancestors and begins to tell them the story of Prince Abdur Rahman. Following the story, Granny steals away to her room for a nap and the two cousins begin to explore the crystal button box further. Then the moment comes that oh so reminded me of the Magic Tree House series, which my kiddo and I loved reading together, and Ava and Nadeem are whisked away on a time traveling adventure to ancient Morocco where they come face to face with Nadeem's ancestor, Prince Rahman. The cousins are launched on an adventure into the past to help the prince escape to Spain.
In this post from Smack Dab in the Middle, Hodder explains how The Button Box became a collaboration between the two authors and explains what it's like co-authoring a book. It's really worth a read. The Button Box was a pretty quick read and a lovely own voices story. I enjoyed learning about Sephardic Jews and how much their culture is intertwined with Muslim culture. Not only does the story highlight the cross cultural, interfaith friendship between Ava and Nadeem, it equally represented both cultures, focusing on the commonalities they shared. There were references to daily life, preparing of food and customs for both. I also really love a story where I feel like I'm learning something new and especially one that incorporates another language, in this case the various Islamic phrases. There's even a nice glossary at the end of the book, as well as an author's note explaining Muslim faith, Judaism and specifically where Sephardic Jews descended from. The historical significance of Prince Abdur Rahman's reign is also explained. Overall, this was a wonderful story with positive messaging, and interesting characters. Granny Buena sounds wonderful, and I enjoyed her sayings and expressions, my favorite was that "everything in life needs an anchor." I hope to see more stories featuring Ava and Nadeem in the future.
**A huge thank you to Books Forward, and the publisher for my E-ARC**
After being bullied, called an awful name, and losing a button off her shirt at school, Ava implores her cousin Nadeem not to tell their Granny Buena. But Nadeem knows Granny will find out anyways because he can't keep a secret like that from his mom, who will ultimately tell Granny, so he tells Ava that she'll just end up having to confess everything to their Granny anyway. Granny Buena calmly listens to Ava's story and upon seeing her missing button, pulls out her button box, filled with generations of buttons from their Sephardic ancestors and begins to tell them the story of Prince Abdur Rahman. Following the story, Granny steals away to her room for a nap and the two cousins begin to explore the crystal button box further. Then the moment comes that oh so reminded me of the Magic Tree House series, which my kiddo and I loved reading together, and Ava and Nadeem are whisked away on a time traveling adventure to ancient Morocco where they come face to face with Nadeem's ancestor, Prince Rahman. The cousins are launched on an adventure into the past to help the prince escape to Spain.
In this post from Smack Dab in the Middle, Hodder explains how The Button Box became a collaboration between the two authors and explains what it's like co-authoring a book. It's really worth a read. The Button Box was a pretty quick read and a lovely own voices story. I enjoyed learning about Sephardic Jews and how much their culture is intertwined with Muslim culture. Not only does the story highlight the cross cultural, interfaith friendship between Ava and Nadeem, it equally represented both cultures, focusing on the commonalities they shared. There were references to daily life, preparing of food and customs for both. I also really love a story where I feel like I'm learning something new and especially one that incorporates another language, in this case the various Islamic phrases. There's even a nice glossary at the end of the book, as well as an author's note explaining Muslim faith, Judaism and specifically where Sephardic Jews descended from. The historical significance of Prince Abdur Rahman's reign is also explained. Overall, this was a wonderful story with positive messaging, and interesting characters. Granny Buena sounds wonderful, and I enjoyed her sayings and expressions, my favorite was that "everything in life needs an anchor." I hope to see more stories featuring Ava and Nadeem in the future.
**A huge thank you to Books Forward, and the publisher for my E-ARC**
Read
May 2, 2022“Ava found herself thinking that history was way more fascinating when you were connected to the ones who made it.”
When Jewish fifth-grader Ava and her Muslim cousin Nadeem find themselves the victims of an Antisemitic and Islamophobic bully at school, their Granny Buena decides to cheer them up by telling them a story about their ancestors. With the help of their familial button box, which has been passed down for generations, Granny Buena tells them about their Jewish ancestor’s, Ester ibn Evram, quest to help the Muslim Prince Abdur Rahman find safety from his enemies. After finding a thousand-year-old button in the box that belonged to Ester, Ava and Nadeem find themselves transported back in time to medieval Morocco, where they meet Ester, her family, and Prince Abdur. Can Ava and Nadeem help Ester bring Prince Abdur to safety and get back to their own time?
What a fun read! Chock-full of action, adventure, and culture, The Button Box has a little something in it for everyone. I really enjoyed Ava and Nadeem’s characters. I thought they were both incredibly funny and wise beyond their years. I also loved the bond between them. Whether it was dealing with their school bully or dealing with the fact that they’d just traveled back a thousand years in time, they had each other’s backs no matter what. Not only was The Button Box thoroughly entertaining, but it was incredibly educational as well. Ava and Nadeem’s religions were a huge aspect of the plot, and I loved getting to learn about them through their experiences and adventures. At the end of the book is a glossary of the Hebrew and Arabic words used throughout the story, as well as an author’s note that tells readers more about Sephardic Jews, Muslims, and the real Prince Abdur Rahman. I thought that the time-travel component of the story was a great way to get young readers interested in learning about different cultures.
(Pine Reads Review would like to thank the publisher for providing us with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change upon final publication.)
Follow us on TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @pinereadsreview and check out our website at www.pinereadsreview.com for reviews, author interviews, blogs, podcast episodes, and more!
When Jewish fifth-grader Ava and her Muslim cousin Nadeem find themselves the victims of an Antisemitic and Islamophobic bully at school, their Granny Buena decides to cheer them up by telling them a story about their ancestors. With the help of their familial button box, which has been passed down for generations, Granny Buena tells them about their Jewish ancestor’s, Ester ibn Evram, quest to help the Muslim Prince Abdur Rahman find safety from his enemies. After finding a thousand-year-old button in the box that belonged to Ester, Ava and Nadeem find themselves transported back in time to medieval Morocco, where they meet Ester, her family, and Prince Abdur. Can Ava and Nadeem help Ester bring Prince Abdur to safety and get back to their own time?
What a fun read! Chock-full of action, adventure, and culture, The Button Box has a little something in it for everyone. I really enjoyed Ava and Nadeem’s characters. I thought they were both incredibly funny and wise beyond their years. I also loved the bond between them. Whether it was dealing with their school bully or dealing with the fact that they’d just traveled back a thousand years in time, they had each other’s backs no matter what. Not only was The Button Box thoroughly entertaining, but it was incredibly educational as well. Ava and Nadeem’s religions were a huge aspect of the plot, and I loved getting to learn about them through their experiences and adventures. At the end of the book is a glossary of the Hebrew and Arabic words used throughout the story, as well as an author’s note that tells readers more about Sephardic Jews, Muslims, and the real Prince Abdur Rahman. I thought that the time-travel component of the story was a great way to get young readers interested in learning about different cultures.
(Pine Reads Review would like to thank the publisher for providing us with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change upon final publication.)
Follow us on TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @pinereadsreview and check out our website at www.pinereadsreview.com for reviews, author interviews, blogs, podcast episodes, and more!
May 28, 2022
✨ Review ✨ The Button Box by Bridget Hodder and Fawzia Gilani-Williams
If your kids like the concept of Magic Treehouse books (time travel books for kids), this will be right up their alley. Hodder and Gilani-Williams create something up this alley but way more inclusive. Jewish fifth-grader Ava and her Muslim cousin Nadeem discover a crystal box of really old buttons that their Grandma claims dates back hundreds of years in their family. Ava and Nadeem travel back in time to help Prince Abdur Rahman escape Morocco to (what we now know as Spain), where he helped launch a golden age of religious tolerance and academic discovery.
The writing is super accessible with lots of great cultural detail from both historic and contemporary times, writing inclusively across cultures and religions, bringing in a bit of Hebrew, Arabic, and Ladino, as well as speaking to the origins of Sephardic Jews. I learned a lot about a time and place I didn't really know much about!
While I read this one without my 8yo, I think he would have really enjoyed it and had lots of questions about what we read. It's also a great chance to discuss religious and cultural tolerance and inclusion with your kids.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: middle grade fantasy, historical fiction
Location: contemporary time and ancient Morocco
Reminds me of: Magic Treehouse Books
Pub Date: out now!
Read this if you like:
⭕️ time travel - blending fantasy and historical fiction
⭕️ interfaith stories
⭕️ mysterious cats
⭕️ interesting idioms / phrases across languages
Thanks to Kar-Ben Publishing and Books Forward for an e-copy of this book!
If your kids like the concept of Magic Treehouse books (time travel books for kids), this will be right up their alley. Hodder and Gilani-Williams create something up this alley but way more inclusive. Jewish fifth-grader Ava and her Muslim cousin Nadeem discover a crystal box of really old buttons that their Grandma claims dates back hundreds of years in their family. Ava and Nadeem travel back in time to help Prince Abdur Rahman escape Morocco to (what we now know as Spain), where he helped launch a golden age of religious tolerance and academic discovery.
The writing is super accessible with lots of great cultural detail from both historic and contemporary times, writing inclusively across cultures and religions, bringing in a bit of Hebrew, Arabic, and Ladino, as well as speaking to the origins of Sephardic Jews. I learned a lot about a time and place I didn't really know much about!
While I read this one without my 8yo, I think he would have really enjoyed it and had lots of questions about what we read. It's also a great chance to discuss religious and cultural tolerance and inclusion with your kids.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: middle grade fantasy, historical fiction
Location: contemporary time and ancient Morocco
Reminds me of: Magic Treehouse Books
Pub Date: out now!
Read this if you like:
⭕️ time travel - blending fantasy and historical fiction
⭕️ interfaith stories
⭕️ mysterious cats
⭕️ interesting idioms / phrases across languages
Thanks to Kar-Ben Publishing and Books Forward for an e-copy of this book!
March 13, 2022
This review is based off of an ARC from NetGalley & Kar-Ben Publishing.
Ava is Jewish & Nadeem is Muslim, which is just: beautiful. I love diverse stories, I love #ownvoices stories, & I am Here For It. ALSO I have a weakness for time-traveling adventures & stories set in the middle ages, ESPECIALLY if it's anywhere not-Britain.
This story was really nice. Now, I know 'nice' is a bland adjective, but really. The world has been so filled with hate & violence it was nice to read something that's filled with warmth, & family, & community, & kid's fighting to do Good Things in the world. To choose healing instead of harm. Like. I'm almost tearing up thinking about it.
The story is fun, adventurous, and while there are stakes, it never gets too scary. You know the protagonists are going to be safe & I could sit back and enjoy the story without worrying about Terrible Things Happening.
I also really appreciated that: 1) The bully will be held accountable & Granny Buena let the kid's have autonomy & agency in making their own decisions about how the situation could best be solved. 2) There is inclusion of phrases in other languages, which some of you will already know, is One Of My Favourites.
I absolutely loved this. I want more adventures with Ave and Nadeem, & would absolutely recommend it.
Ava is Jewish & Nadeem is Muslim, which is just: beautiful. I love diverse stories, I love #ownvoices stories, & I am Here For It. ALSO I have a weakness for time-traveling adventures & stories set in the middle ages, ESPECIALLY if it's anywhere not-Britain.
This story was really nice. Now, I know 'nice' is a bland adjective, but really. The world has been so filled with hate & violence it was nice to read something that's filled with warmth, & family, & community, & kid's fighting to do Good Things in the world. To choose healing instead of harm. Like. I'm almost tearing up thinking about it.
The story is fun, adventurous, and while there are stakes, it never gets too scary. You know the protagonists are going to be safe & I could sit back and enjoy the story without worrying about Terrible Things Happening.
I also really appreciated that: 1) The bully will be held accountable & Granny Buena let the kid's have autonomy & agency in making their own decisions about how the situation could best be solved. 2) There is inclusion of phrases in other languages, which some of you will already know, is One Of My Favourites.
I absolutely loved this. I want more adventures with Ave and Nadeem, & would absolutely recommend it.
August 26, 2022
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.
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.
March 30, 2022
Initially, when I realized that this was not a graphic novel [I am not sure why I thought it was], I was disappointed. THEN I started to read and got sucked into the story of Ava and Nadeem and the Button Box of their grandmother and I didn't want the story to end. It was so wonderful to read a story of cousins, raised in different faiths, that still love and adore and respect each other and how they learn even more to work together to deal with a bully AND to to deal with what happens when they touch a magical button.
This is the perfect story of older children and all middle-grade children. It is full of magical realism mixed with very real things that children are dealing with on a daily basis. I see kids going back to this book over and over again and having really great discussions with their parents about their families pasts and how to deal with all the troubles that they face today. So well done.
Thank you to NetGalley, Bridget Hodder, Fawzia Gilani-Williams, Harshad Marathe [Illustrator] and Kar-Ben Publishing for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is the perfect story of older children and all middle-grade children. It is full of magical realism mixed with very real things that children are dealing with on a daily basis. I see kids going back to this book over and over again and having really great discussions with their parents about their families pasts and how to deal with all the troubles that they face today. So well done.
Thank you to NetGalley, Bridget Hodder, Fawzia Gilani-Williams, Harshad Marathe [Illustrator] and Kar-Ben Publishing for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 7, 2022
I was honored to write a blurb for this early middle grade time-travel story. Bridget Hodder and Fawzia Gilani-Williams paint a portrait of cousin/friends that reminded me of Portia and Julian exploring GONE AWAY LAKE in Elizabeth Enright's classic MG novel. The genuine affection that Ava and Nadeem (she is Sephardic Jewish and he is Muslim) have for each other leaps off the page and into history as they journey to a key episode in their family's past. Their beloved grandmother's button box, and the button that carries Ava and Nadeem back in time, is a metaphor for how a family's treasured objects carry stories about their history. I'm inspired to get out my own button box and see what stories might be waiting for me there!
Here is the blurb in full:
"I cheered for time-traveling cousins Ava and Nadeem during their meet-the-ancestors adventure. This exciting cross-cultural story will have young readers at the edge of their seats, clamoring for more Button Box escapades. A perfect choice for MAGIC TREEHOUSE fans who are transitioning to middle grade novels."
Here is the blurb in full:
"I cheered for time-traveling cousins Ava and Nadeem during their meet-the-ancestors adventure. This exciting cross-cultural story will have young readers at the edge of their seats, clamoring for more Button Box escapades. A perfect choice for MAGIC TREEHOUSE fans who are transitioning to middle grade novels."
May 20, 2022
Best friends, Ava and Nadeem, have been confronted numerous times by a bully at their school due to their race and heritage. Ava is Sephardic Jewish and her cousin Nadeem is Muslim. Their different religions and cultures have never kept them from being best friends and they don’t understand why others treat them so harshly. A visit to Granny Buena offers them a chance to right the wrongs laid out many years before their time.
Fans of the Magic Tree House series of books will love THE BUTTON BOX for its magic and time travel. Two kids and a cat with a mysterious gem on her collar have to travel back in time to help save a Muslim Prince from his enemies. When Ava and Nadeem find a special button in Granny Buena’s button box and it causes the gem on Sheba the cat’s collar to glow, they find themselves in a hypnotic trance and are soon transported back 1,000 years ago in time. There they meet ancestors who were pivotal in the prince’s escape to Spain.
This story is based on actual historic events but also touches on the current climate of racism and hatred toward Muslims and Jewish people. The authors hope writing this story will inspire our younger generation to make changes in the way we think and treat others and stop this cycle of hate. THE BUTTON BOX would make for a great classroom read-along or literature circle for older-elementary-aged readers. There are a few illustrations throughout the book to bridge the gap for children new to chapter books.
Fans of the Magic Tree House series of books will love THE BUTTON BOX for its magic and time travel. Two kids and a cat with a mysterious gem on her collar have to travel back in time to help save a Muslim Prince from his enemies. When Ava and Nadeem find a special button in Granny Buena’s button box and it causes the gem on Sheba the cat’s collar to glow, they find themselves in a hypnotic trance and are soon transported back 1,000 years ago in time. There they meet ancestors who were pivotal in the prince’s escape to Spain.
This story is based on actual historic events but also touches on the current climate of racism and hatred toward Muslims and Jewish people. The authors hope writing this story will inspire our younger generation to make changes in the way we think and treat others and stop this cycle of hate. THE BUTTON BOX would make for a great classroom read-along or literature circle for older-elementary-aged readers. There are a few illustrations throughout the book to bridge the gap for children new to chapter books.
June 4, 2022
The button box is a beautiful story of learning to stand up for what’s right while encouraging peace, love, and harmony. Ava, a Sephardic Jew and her cousin, Nadeem, a Muslim are facing bullies at school and struggling to know how to deal with it.
When their grandmother hears of what’s happening, she shares a mysterious button box that sends the cousins on a time-traveling adventure. Sent hundreds of years back in time to a pivotal moment in their ancestors’ history, they must figure out a way to stave off persecution and save the life of a Muslim prince.
This story is written for the younger side of Middle Grade, and so delightfully weaves this story without getting overly complicated. It reads quickly—I read it in a day. The message is clear that we must all strive for peace, while standing up for what’s right and defending our friends of different beliefs. It’s a message the world so desperately needs right now. I highly recommend this!
When their grandmother hears of what’s happening, she shares a mysterious button box that sends the cousins on a time-traveling adventure. Sent hundreds of years back in time to a pivotal moment in their ancestors’ history, they must figure out a way to stave off persecution and save the life of a Muslim prince.
This story is written for the younger side of Middle Grade, and so delightfully weaves this story without getting overly complicated. It reads quickly—I read it in a day. The message is clear that we must all strive for peace, while standing up for what’s right and defending our friends of different beliefs. It’s a message the world so desperately needs right now. I highly recommend this!
June 3, 2022
Yes, please, to more magic for short chapter books. Yes, please, to a reimagining of Magic Treehouse with Brown kids. Yes, please, to families with blended religions -- in this case Muslim and Sepharidic Jews. Yes, please, to solid and interesting historical fiction that opens up our eyes to tolerant societies of the past. Yes, please, to thoughtful responses to bullying and to empowering bystanders. Yes, please, to authors writing about their heritage and collaborating to enrich a story. Yes, please, to language representation -- Ladino, Hebrew, Arabic. Yes, please, to a wider representation of history -- in this case, the rich heritage of North Africa and the Spain. Yes, yes, yes, and thank you. I'm so glad this book exists.
July 28, 2022
I don’t know if it’s because there were so few books for Jewish tweens published when I was young, but I love reading books for this age group. Not only are numerous books being published, but the works are really impressive in depth and breadth. Since I’ve enjoyed them so much, I think other adults might feel the same. Maybe parents or grandparents and tweens can form their own book clubs and discuss these works and others. What if synagogues offered book clubs for tweens? With the right leader, they might be a huge success.
See the rest of my review at https://www.thereportergroup.org/past...
See the rest of my review at https://www.thereportergroup.org/past...
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