Children of the Stone City: An Inspiring Novel of Family, Loss, and Resistance

by Beverley Naidoo

Children of the Stone City

Genres: Middle Grade, Childrens, Fiction

240 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2022

About the author

Beverley Naidoo was born in South Africa on 21 May 1943 and grew up under apartheid. As a student, she began to question the apartheid regime and was later arrested for her actions as part of the resistance movement in South Africa. In 1965 she went into exile, going to England. She married another South African exile; they have two children.

Reviews

[Hayley Bennett · Rating 2 out of 5]

2⭐️ Based on plot alone, this book would not be rated highly. As a person who has never played an instrument, I could not resonate at all. However, the core message of equality for all children, given the conflict currently taking place in the Middle East, is a powerful one. Thought-provoking and topical.

[Daniel Corbett · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was a well written book however, it is a bit out of my comfort zone and as a result I didnt enjoy it as much as some people may have.

[Mark Buxton · Rating 4 out of 5]

What worked:
The book immediately shares the division between cultures within Stone City as the main characters, Adam and Laila, are identified as lesser citizens called Nons. The Permitteds are entitled people and they even have their own language. Every year, Adam’s father must complete an application requesting the Permitteds to allow his wife to remain with the family and not be sent back to her hometown outside the Stone Wall. She’s not even allowed to hold a paying job due to her upbringing. Adams’s father fights to protect the rights of Nons as Permitteds constantly try to steal away the homes of his neighbors. This conflict is amplified when the father dies leaving no one to provide for the family and protect the Nons from the injustices they face.
Music plays a big role in the plot as Adam loves to play the violin. His father always wanted him to pursue his interest in music so his mother and grandmother continue to encourage his violin lessons even after his father’s death. Playing his grandfather’s violin called Jabari motivates Adam even more after he learns of its history. Practicing the instrument calms him and provides him with a way to escape the stress and complications of his life as a Non. It also creates problems as the Permitteds and Permitted police are suspicious about how a young Non boy can possess such a fine violin. Adam hopes and dreams that playing Jabari may provide a solution to many of his problems.
The author compassionately develops Adam’s character as the story focuses on the emotional hardships of his life and the fragility of peace in the city. The situation is compared to a small event creating an avalanche. Potential dangers lurk whenever Adam encounters any Permitteds so traveling to and from school always becomes an unpredictable adventure. His “cousin” Zak is more impulsive and free-spirited so spending time with him is more exciting but also more precarious. Adam tries to be an obedient son but circumstances on the streets make this challenging. His mother’s pending permit, an uncle’s house stolen by the Permitteds, an upcoming concert, skirmishes with Permitted boys, and an arrest by the Permitted police overwhelm Adam and force him to focus on his music further. His turmoil and confusion will be shared by readers.
What didn’t work as well:
Much of the plot surrounds Adam’s experiences and problems as a Non and the pace may be slower than young readers like. Much of the later parts of the plot deal with legal and political There’s plenty of drama to hold their interest though as the Permitteds never let readers forget who has the power. The plot’s resolution is ambiguous and readers may want more clarity on some issues.
The Final Verdict:
What the story lacks in action is made up for in drama. The injustices described within it mirror some cultures in the world and all readers should be affected emotionally and feel the anger and frustration. Overall, the book touches on a range of feelings and I recommend you give it a shot.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Renton Highlands Children's Audio

This is a story of the prejudice and cruelty experienced by Palestinian kids in an Israeli city. It's anonymized a bit -- the city is the Stone City, and the people are Permitted or Nones. The author drew it from people she met while on a grant from some art thing from Britain. The two kids are almost angels and their family is super nice, and then some Permitted kids tell some lies and the boy almost loses everything (his friend is sent to jail for three years, or until he is 16, because he was tortured until he signed a confession in a language he doesn't understand, so our hero gets off easy).

I had some quibbles -- like why on earth they didn't bring the friend to the lawyer before turning him over to the thuggish police; maybe he still would have given in to torture but at least he would have been prepared for the psychological stuff. I can see how there is no attempt to show any other side -- how would the kid know it? He only knows what he is told. So it is very authentic and distressing, and also I think doesn't really show a full picture.

[Judy Wollin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story casts light on the lives of Palestinians. The people and the story location are not named, but the events make it clear who and where the story is located.
Adam and Leila live contentedly with their parents and grandmother. They are loved and encouraged to be the best children and students they can be, especially with their music. Their world is turned on its head when their father dies unexpectedly. Their mother does not have a permit to live on this side of the wall and may be sent to the other side at any time. Adam devises a plan to get his mother a permit, but it relies on him playing a solo at the upcoming concert.
The children are told to be careful and not to come to the attention of the ruling people; however, a chance encounter results in Adam being arrested and jailed. How can he play if he’s in jail. He must be courageous, but that is very hard for a child in jail. Can Adam play at the concert?
This story reflects people's lives in an occupied city and raises important questions about why things are the way they are. It is an intense read recommended for readers ten years and older, including adults.

[Zaina Nawash · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing.

I have been reading for 7 years now and i chose this as my fav book, i read the book in a day and i cant help but cry each time i read it, especially as a palestinian is reflects a lot to whats going on there, what happened to Zak happened to thousands of palestinian kids, what happened to Hala happened to thousands of palestinian mothers, i just love this book and i love the message it sends to the reader.

I really think everyone should read it.

[Raven Blake · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book tells the story of young Palestinian siblings and the destruction of their security and traditions. It is thought-provoking and emotional. While the pace is slow at the start, it improves and I wanted to keep reading to know what would happen to Zak. But for me it relies a bit too heavily on the notion of music as an escape or universal language - great if you feel like that about music, but harder to relate if not.

[Stacy B · Rating 3 out of 5]

No matter what era you write about, or language that is used, there will always be the haves and have nots....I feel there was a lot that was left out, not clarified, or explained the more I kept reading....

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus or Netgalley

[Leo · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Charlie Pennell · Rating 4 out of 5]

extremely relevant especially in recent years

[Michelle Kidwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Children of the Stone City
by Beverley Naidoo
Pub Date 04 Oct 2022 |
HarperCollins Children's Books, Quill Tree Books
Children's Fiction | Middle Grade



I am reviewing a copy of Children of the Stone City through HarperCollins Children’s Books, Quill Tree Books and Netgalley:




From Carnegie Medal Winning Author Beverly Nairobi comes the story of Adam and his sister Leila, they are Nons, second class citizens, who live under the permitted ruling class. Despite the fact that their life in Stone City being filled with family, stories, and music, they must carefully follow the rules, have all paperwork on hand, and never, ever do anything to anger a Permitted. When their father unexpectedly dies, they are even restricted in how they are allowed to grieve.




It isn’t long before Adam and Leila are back in school, practicing music, but after Adam’s friend Zak plays a bold prank on a group of Permitted boys, and Adam is implicated in Zak’s “crime,” Adam knows their lives will never be the same again.




I give Children of the Stone City five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

[TBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found "Children of the Stone City" to be a thought provoking, balanced story about a city divided, told though the eyes of siblings Adam & Liela. Within the novel there is;
Joy, told though the love of music, friendship, community & a skateboard.
Grief, with the sudden loss of their father.
Injustice, Adam hatches a plan to ensure their mother's permit is renewed.
Conflict - when Adam & his close friend Zac are wrongfully accused of a crime, after a prank goes wrong & their fight for justice.
Woven throughout the story are memories of their father & their Grandma's stories from the "time before" to inspire their own reactions & choices.
Although the ending, isn't a "happy ever after" - it gives hope & a voice to those effected by injustice.

[Israa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy. The allegory set up in this historical fiction novel reminds me of the Palestine-Israeli conflict and the injustices caused by apartheid. The themes of prejudice, social justices, and hope can all be discussed. While some characters celebrate Easter, there isn’t anything religious. I appreciate that this is a clean novel that I can use for novel study or book clubs. While the ending is only semi-happy, the story is timely and realistic. I will be purchasing copies for our school library.

[Dorthe Svendsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

En unik forfatter jeg har funnet her. Har lest første bok og denne, og merker allerede at jeg må få i meg alt som finnes av henne. Hun ble anbefalt på Engelskstudiet for pedagoger også, så det er en del for pedagoger å hente i bøkene hennes. Vil anbefale å lese etterordet først, da det er så unikt inspirerende, med tanke på den pågående krigen. Da forstår en også motivasjon og inspirasjon til fortellingen, og kan lett dra den ned til Palestina-Israel krigen som skjer nå. Vakker og fæl og viktig fortelling!

[Mel · Rating 3 out of 5]

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