Skip to main content Skip to search Skip to search

Children's Fiction Friendship

My Friend Jamal

by (author) Anna McQuinn

illustrated by Ben Frey

Publisher
Annick Press
Initial publish date
Sep 2008
Category
Friendship, Muslim, Emigration & Immigration
  • Hardback

    ISBN
    9781554511235
    Publish Date
    Sep 2008
    List Price
    $17.95
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9781554511228
    Publish Date
    Sep 2008
    List Price
    $8.95

Add it to your shelf

Where to buy it

Recommended Age, Grade, and Reading Levels

  • Age: 4 to 7
  • Grade: p to 2
  • Reading age: 4 to 7

Description

Jamal and Joseph were born in the same hospital in the same month. Now they’re best friends. The two like to play at one another’s homes. Joseph’s mom knows Jamal can’t eat pork sausages because he’s Muslim. She knows, too, that he can’t have ice cream because of his eczema. Some things that happen at Jamal’s house are a lot different from Joseph’s: the food his mother prepares, the way they sit to eat, and the special clothes they sometimes wear. Jamal and Joseph like to play superheroes and cheer their favorite basketball stars. They even say they’re going to sign with the same team when they grow up.

A poignant story about a childhood friendship where unfamiliar cultures meet, My Friend Jamal lets readers sample the differences and recognize the powerful bond that draws two boys together. The visuals, which marry photography and original art, are wonderfully playful and imaginative.

About the authors

Editorial Reviews

“A useful title for discussing friendship or the reasons for emigrating.”
—School Library Journal, 06/08

School Library Journal

“What’s great in this book . . . is that the friendship celebrates not only connections but also rich diversity.”
—Booklist, 06/08

Booklist

“Superb.”
—Resource Links, 06/08

Resource Links

Other titles by

Other titles by