Many Windows
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A short story collection by Rukhsana Khan
with Elisa Carbone and Uma
Krishnaswami
Illustrated by Patti Gallinger
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Published in US & Canada by Napoleon Publishing
208 pg, Softcover
$12.95 USD
ISBN 9-781894-917568
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"Through our many windows
Look and you will see
A world of celebrations
In one community."
A collection of linked short stories about six
friends from five different faiths--Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism,
Judaism and Islam. Each story centres on the characters' religious
celebrations culminating in a story arc that accentuates the beauty of
their diverse community. Includes five non-fiction pieces explaining
each of the celebrations. This book was written with contributions from
Uma Krishnaswami and Elisa Carbone. For more information about them
please see their websites:
www.umakrishnaswami.com and
www.elisacarbone.com
"Many Windows is a collection of short stories,
sensitively written and focusing on six classmates of different faiths
and cultures, sharing friendship and a love of basketball. Each story is
one student's personal experience, yet they are tied together as the
classmates relate to each other... Intriguing and told from the young
character's point of view, these stories should appeal to the beginning
chapter book reader. The subject matter can be used as a source of
reference and discussion throughout the year as various celebrations
occur. This text should prove a useful addition to an elementary school
library collection."
-Resource Links-
" ...Many Windows was authored by the three
writers--Rukhsana Khan, Elisa Carbone and Uma Krishnaswami. This
collection of short stories includes an appendix which briefly explains
the roots of the five faiths discussed in the book. Readers will learn
interesting information about Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, Judaism and
Christianity.
The aim of this book is to promote understanding among various faith
communities in a time of global turmoil... The three writers are friends
who represent three different faith communities--a Muslim, a Christian
and a Hindu...All in all, this book is a wonderful way to promote
religious tolerance through "many windows!" Highly
Recommended"
-CM Magazine-
"TJ’s narrative snapshots open and close the circle of
interlinked stories. The new kid in town, TJ is anything but ready to
make friends. On the contrary: unable to connect, he is suspicious of
people’s motives, and ready to take down anyone who crosses him.
The other five kids in the book are friends, in and out of school.
Deepa, Natalie, Jameel, Stephanie and Benjamin, whose religious
backgrounds are different, love to play basketball together, but since
their friend Bani moved away they have had to play it “two to three.”
…With chapters focusing on each of the six kids and an information
section on the religious celebrations they observe (Ramadan and Eid ul
Fitr, Diwali, Hanukkah, Buddha’s Birthday, Christmas), the book ends
with the kids playing basketball - finally three on three again -
suggesting that TJ is finally ready to make friends and embrace his new
community.
Many Windows is a book that will introduce children to the importance of
being part of a community whose members respect and value one another–a
gentle and crucial message our youth would benefit from finding in other
contemporary stories."-Paper Tigers-