Daniel and Ismail

"Peris renders both boys in black-and-white against a colorful background, quietly emphasizing their similarities and evoking the constraints of their communities. The story's gentle emphasis on the power of play to bridge difference is relatable and persuasive." -Publishers Weekly

"Daniel and Ismail . . . tells the story of two boys, one Palestinian and one Jewish, who overcome their parents' objections to form a friendship on the soccer field. The plot subtly acknowledges that a new generation will have to figure out how to make peace and that it is possible for children to lead us." -Miriam Udel, The New York Times

"...An alter-na-tive fable, one where the joy of friend-ship and the com-fort-ing dreams of their inte-ri-or lives allows Daniel and Ismail to ignore the hatred which threat-ens them.... The book's end-ing is reas-sur-ing, although not with-out a touch of sad-ness. Jew-ish and Pales-tin-ian chil-dren play togeth-er, both on the field and in their dreams of the future. There is no men-tion of the adults who react-ed with hor-ror at the spon-ta-neous com-pan-ion-ship of two boys with a soc-cer ball on a beau-ti-ful day. Daniel and Ismail is high-ly rec-om-mend-ed for chil-dren and will also be of inter-est to adults who are hope-ful about the future." -Emily Schneider, Jewish Book Council

"A multilingual story (Arabic, English, Hebrew) of hope, soccer and friendship between a boy in Israel and a boy in Palestine. A timely and delightful book-perfect for helping children understand larger conflicts. The bright illustrations and artful layout of the text bring an upbeat mood to the pages." -Jen Kraar, City of Asylum Bookstore (Pittsburgh, PA)

-- Emily Schneider * Jewish Book Council *

"Daniel and Ismail . . . tells the story of two boys, one Palestinian and one Jewish, who overcome their parents' objections to form a friendship on the soccer field. The plot subtly acknowledges that a new generation will have to figure out how to make peace and that it is possible for children to lead us."

-- Miriam Udel * The New York Times *