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Kaliska

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A Stone in My Hand

by Cathryn Clinton

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Reading for the 2nd time

read in November 2015

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Kaliska said: " Gaza City mid civil war is a place or turmoil, panic and fear for anyone let alone eleven year old Malaak Abed Atieh. A quiet young girl who only finds comfort in speaking to her pet bird Abdo. Her family of 3 waits a month patiently for word about t Gaza City mid civil war is a place or turmoil, panic and fear for anyone let alone eleven year old Malaak Abed Atieh. A quiet young girl who only finds comfort in speaking to her pet bird Abdo. Her family of 3 waits a month patiently for word about their father, where he is and if he will return home safe. Just as many families during this time would have felt having fathers leaving for work in the time of war, they are worried and sickened that he could be being held prisioner in Israel just as Malaak Adeb Atieh does. She climbs to the top of her building every night and sits with her pet bird awaiting and praying for her father. As the days go on the war between Palestinians and Israelis worsens and the family loses hope in their fathers safe return. Sadness overwhelms Malaak when her mother tells her that her father is dead. Enraged her brother tries to fight back by joining a group of rebels that are Anti-Israelis. Malaak and her family worry for her brothers safety as well as their own.

This story brought to life the way civilians and children feel in times of war, where they are faced with violent acts everyday and pray for safety and peace around them.This is different than many other textbooks and news articles because they are more likely to look at matters like this from a professional point of view. Malaak could be just another civilian and statistic to them and its hard for the public reading to relate. I was personally drawn to the innocence of Malaak and her on going hope that her father would be alive. I also found that her brothers bravery towards fighting with the rebels admirable. How just a young boy can fight for what he believes in and not be scared of that really stood out to me.
I found symbolism in Malaak's pet dove Abdo, it showed the very innocence of civilians that are caught in the middle of a civil war. Represents hope and peace that the innocent civilians only want but are unsure how to achieve.
I think this book shows the view point of children and innocent families in the middle of a civil war very well. It's an emotional story of love for family, lust for peace and freedom and the lives of the innocent in times of war. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a glimpse of life in a war torn country. ...more "

Dec 01, 2015 03:54PM · see review