THE BEST EID EVER, written by Asma Mobin-Uddin, illustrated by Laura Jacobsen. (Honesdale, PA: Boyds Mills Press, 2007) The Eid al-Adha (“feast of the Sacrifice”) is the biggest holiday in the Islamic calendar, but this year Aneesa’s parents are in far away Saudi Arabia making the pilgrimage to Mecca. At the mosque, Aneesa meets two young girls, refugees who have just arrived in the U.S from their war torn country. Aneesa and her grandmother come up with a plan to help the girls celbrate and make it the best Eid ever. This book will help students understand the importance of the Eid celebration, as well as the important themes of charity and helping the less fortunate.
The Middle East Outreach Council established the Middle East Book Award in 1999 to recognize books for children and young adults that contribute meaningfully to an understanding of the Middle East. Books are judged on the authenticity of their portrayal of a Middle Eastern subject, as well as on their characterization, plot, and appeal for the intended audience. Awards are announced in November for books published during the period from January of the previous year through September of the current year. For the purposes of this award, “The Middle East” is defined as the Arab World, Iran, Isreal, Turkey, and Afghanistan.
THE BEST EID EVER is a Middle East Outreach Council Elementary Level Award Winner.
