Magid Fasts for Ramadan

by Mary Matthews

Book Overview

It is the first day of Ramadan, the month when good Muslims eat nothing and drink nothing all day, every day, from sunrise to sunset. Mama and Baba have told Magid he isn't old enough to fast, but... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0618040358
• ISBN13: 9780618040353
• Release Date: March 2000
• Publisher: Clarion Books
• Length: 48 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.2" x 6.8" x 9.0"
• Age Range: 10 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 5 to 7

Customer Reviews

a cute introduction for children

Set in modern Egypt, with subdued watercolors, the book tells the story of Magid, who at age 8, wants to fast for Ramadan. His older sister, 12, is fasting, why can't he? She glares at him when he voices his desire to fast like everyone else in the household. The story realistically shows some sibling antagonisms. The story shows a close 3 generation family, waking early to eat and pray, making it through the day, and watching for the evening lanterns to be lit by the muezzin. Magid feels great pride as he skips breakfast and then lunch. He shows his openness to various levels of obedience when his friend Gamal informs him that Gamal's family is not into fasting. Magid breaks his fast with a date, just as The Prophet did, and the next day he skips breakfast again. But when he gets caught, he learns an important lesson. Along the way we learn why they fast, read about their relatives in Cairo and Detroit, and understand more about the spirit of Ramadan.

A simple and sweet children's book concerning Islam

I bought this book for my sister's little girl. She has a Christian/American mother and a Muslim/Algerian father. I read the book myself before giving it as a gift. It is a very sweet book about a little boy and his family. The boy enjoys talking and learning about Islam with his grandfather who lives in the home with them. The child chooses to fast for Ramadan even though he is afraid his parents will not allow it because of his age. This a simple and sweet children's book that promotes understanding.

Good!

As a Muslim, I really liked this book, because it addresses typical Muslim issues. I thought it was very accurate, by the way; Islam does not require fasting until a person is past puberty. Fasting is required only for healthy adults (not the sick, pregnant, traveling, elderly, etc.), so -- although some Muslim children do enthusiastically try out a fast or two before puberty -- it's not a requirement and is not common. So I think this book was informative, representative of the Muslim experience, and empathetic. Recommended.

Good informative book.

I really appreciate this book for not just discussing Ramadan but bringing up some issues surrounding Ramamdan. It allows Muslims to be human and assists us in appreciating all the trouble they go through in order to worship God in their own way. I wish I could have known about this book for Ramadan this year, but I will use it next year in my classroom.