The Button Box
After Jewish fifth-grader Ava and her Muslim best friend Nadeem are called hateful names at school, Ava’s Granny Buena rummages in her closet and pulls out a glittering crystal button box. It’s packed with buttons that generations of Ava’s Sephardic ancestors have cherished. With the help of Granny’s mysterious cat Sheba, Ava and Nadeem discover that a button from the button box will take them back in time. Suddenly, they are in ancient Morocco, where Nadeem’s ancestor, Prince Abdur Rahman, is running for his life. Can Ava and Nadeem help the prince escape to Spain and fulfill his destiny, creating a legendary Golden Age for Muslims, Jews and Christians?
| Format | Your Price | Add |
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978-1-7284-2397-5
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$7.99 | |
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978-1-7284-5210-4
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$22.99 |
Author: Bridget Hodder
Bridget Hodder began her career as an Aztec archaeologist, translating ancient stories. Then she realized she had her own tales to tell. She is Sephardic, the daughter of a Holocaust survivor, and a graduate of Mount Holyoke College, UCLA and Vanderbilt University.
Author: Fawzia Gilani-Williams
Fawzia Gilani was born and raised in England where she became a teacher. She is the author of many children’s books and an international educational consultant with a PhD in children’s literature and character development. She is a Global Representative for the International Positive Education Network and works for the Abu Dhabi Education Council. She spends her time in the United Arab Emirates, Ohio, and England with her daughter and husband.
Illustrator: Harshad Marathe
Harshad Marathe is an illustrator and storyteller. He has an M.F.A. from the School of Visual Arts in New York City, and has illustrated many books. He has backpacked all over the world. He lives in India.
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The Button Box
After Jewish fifth-grader Ava and her Muslim best friend Nadeem are called hateful names at school, Ava’s Granny Buena rummages in her closet and pulls out a glittering crystal button box. It’s packed with buttons that generations of Ava’s Sephardic ancestors have… View available downloads →
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Behind The Button Box: A Time-Travelling, Cross-Cultural Adventure
The Button Box is a new middle-grade novel about cousins, one Jewish and one Muslim, who travel back in time to ancient Morocco. Below, co-authors Bridget Hodder and Fawzia Gilani-Williams discuss their hopes for the book, what inspired them, and more. Where did you get the inspiration… View →
Reviews
Association of Jewish Libraries
“The Button Box is engaging historical fiction with important messages for young people. The reader is encouraged to be an upstander in the face of hatred and bigotry.” – Association of Jewish Libraries
Karuna Riazi
“A profoundly inspiring look at interfaith love and courage that will thrill and move readers. Timely and timeless.”—Karuna Riazi, author of the Gauntlet series
Laura Shovan
“This exciting cross-cultural story will have young readers at the edge of their seats, clamoring for more Button Box escapades. A perfect choice for fans of The Magic Treehouse series who are transitioning to middle-grade novels.”—Laura Shovan, coauthor of Sydney Taylor Notable Book A Place at the Table
Jewish Book Council
“The authors construct a world filled with color and texture that will spark the interests of young readers of today. "—Jewish Book Council
Kirkus Reviews
“Both the modern and medieval characters are presented in emotionally charged language as unique individuals with strong personalities.” —Kirkus Reviews STARRED