Lines in the Sand: New Writing on War and Peace

Mary Hoffman and Rhiannon Lassiter

Average Rating 9/10 (1 Review)

Described by Publishing News as "one of the hottest books of [the 2003 Bologna Children's Book Fair]" and by the London Sunday Times as "an uplifting and impassioned collection that goes beyond ephemeral politics to broaden children's understanding of their own and others' history and to encourage them to aspire to a better world," this is a challenging and thought-provoking collection of new poetry and prose from some of the world's most prestigious and talented children's authors and illustrators. They were inspired by their feelings about the conflict in Iraq, though the wars covered range from a 13th Century Crusade, through the earlier wars of the 20th Century, to more recent conflicts in Bosnia, Afghanistan, Nigeria and Kosovo, right up to what was happening in Iraq in 2003.

With over 150 poems, stories and pictures about war and peace, Lines in the Sand offers hope for the future. Perfect for use in schools to help educate children when dealing with the topic of war, each contribution depicts a strong anti-war message and will serve as a cry for peace in these troubled times.

There is currently nothing else available to children and their parents and teachers that deals so articulately with the atrocities of war and how they affect children the world over. This is an important book in a time in which the anti-war movement is in danger of being silenced in America. It will be appreciated by children 8 and up and adults of all ages.

Review by Paul Lappen (190304) Rating (9/10)

Review by Paul Lappen
Rating 9/10
This is a group of new short stories, poems and pictures, from all over the world, on the subject of war and peace. They cover the gamut, from the Crusades of the 13th century, to both World Wars, the Middle East, Africa, Kosovo, the Falkland Islands and both Gulf Wars. The contributions focus mostly on the point of view of those who are on the receiving end of the bombs and bullets.

My favorite piece in the book, called "Give Peace a Chance," tells the story of the end of apartheid in South Africa in language that any young person can understand. Another must-read piece, "Eco-Wolf and the War Pigs," is an allegory for the younger reader. I am not much of a poetry lover, but I really enjoyed the poems in this book.

Is "extraordinary" too strong a word? Not in this case. As far as history class in school is concerned, the average young person may think that there hasn't been a war since 1945. This book is very highly recommended for just such a young person who is becoming aware of the wider world out there. It's also recommended for older people.
Paul Lappen (19th March 2004)