IN THE LIBYAN CITY of Ghadames, Malika watches her merchant father depart on one of his caravan expeditions. She too yearns to travel to distant ci...
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reviews
Mar 07, 2011
akibird
rated it: 
The Shadows of Ghadames by Joelle Stolz (2004)
Historical Fiction, 118 pages
Ghadames, a city in Libya near Algeria and Tunisia, is changing along with its customs and gender roles. Caught between the past and the future at the end of the nineteenth century, Malika, a girl on the brink of adulthood, is bothered by some of the cultural restrictions of women and yet scared of her unknown future and womanhood. Built on tradition and religious beliefs, Ghadames holds two unique cities—th More...
Historical Fiction, 118 pages
Ghadames, a city in Libya near Algeria and Tunisia, is changing along with its customs and gender roles. Caught between the past and the future at the end of the nineteenth century, Malika, a girl on the brink of adulthood, is bothered by some of the cultural restrictions of women and yet scared of her unknown future and womanhood. Built on tradition and religious beliefs, Ghadames holds two unique cities—th More...
Dec 01, 2008
Liane
rated it:
Genre: Junior fiction. Realistic.
Reading Level: Fluent
Topics & Themes: Women's life, rights, and regulations in Libya (Middle East). Coming of age story for Malika: secondary for her brother, Jasim.
Curricular Use: Independent.
Social: Introduction to other cultures' family structure: non-traditional family (for Americans) Husband has two wives.
Literary Elements: Conflict/tension of Bilkisu and Meriem, the two wives with different viewpoi More...
Reading Level: Fluent
Topics & Themes: Women's life, rights, and regulations in Libya (Middle East). Coming of age story for Malika: secondary for her brother, Jasim.
Curricular Use: Independent.
Social: Introduction to other cultures' family structure: non-traditional family (for Americans) Husband has two wives.
Literary Elements: Conflict/tension of Bilkisu and Meriem, the two wives with different viewpoi More...
Jun 20, 2010
Jen Bigheart
rated it: 
Read thui book for my Multicultural class. I enjoyed the overall story and theme, but there were issues. One, the story went along and then it was over. Ending seemed terribly rushed. Two, Malika refers to the stranger as handsome and feeling guilty about it several times. Malika is 11 and the stranger has a full beard and mustache. Is this normal? Was I to be freaked out? How old was the stranger? Seemed unnecessary. Lastly, the realization that womens roles were changing was far to convenient.
More...
May 11, 2010
K.
rated it:
Fascinating life of women in a Muslim city about 1900. Probably not "classic" material--but definitely a great little book that gives some insight into a completely foreign culture.
I gave it four stars because I'm not sure but that the author didn't put a little bit of modern "sensibility" into her characters--but what do I know, it just felt that way. It took away a little from the authenticity.
Wouldn't buy it, but it might be a runner-up for the gi More...
I gave it four stars because I'm not sure but that the author didn't put a little bit of modern "sensibility" into her characters--but what do I know, it just felt that way. It took away a little from the authenticity.
Wouldn't buy it, but it might be a runner-up for the gi More...
Sep 18, 2010
Ollie
rated it: 
This story takes place in the Libyan city of Ghadames at the end of the nineteenth century. The heroine, Malika, is dreading her twelfth birthday because according to Berber customs, she will be close to marriageable age and confined to the world of women. In Ghadames that means restriction to the rooftops, "a city above the city, an open sunny town for women only, where . . . they never talk to men."
Malika does not want to be isolated to the rooftops she longs to live be More...
Malika does not want to be isolated to the rooftops she longs to live be More...
Nov 11, 2009
Amy
rated it:
This book wouldn't interest guys much, I don't think. It's a coming of age tale of a girl at the end of the 19th century in Libya.
The beginning of the story we are introduced t her mom, her father, her half-brother, and her brothers mother, all of whom live together. She tells her story as though living with two mothers is delightful. We find later on that it has been a rough road for the two women to be married to the same man.
The author does a nice job explaining the traditions More...
The beginning of the story we are introduced t her mom, her father, her half-brother, and her brothers mother, all of whom live together. She tells her story as though living with two mothers is delightful. We find later on that it has been a rough road for the two women to be married to the same man.
The author does a nice job explaining the traditions More...
Jul 11, 2007
Vicki
rated it:
Stolz, Joelle, (1999). Temerson, Catherine (trans, 2004). The Shadows of Ghadames. Delacorte Press.
At the end of the 19th century in the city of Ghadames in southern Libya, 11-year-old Malika’s life is beginning to change. On the brink of adulthood, she is no longer allowed to walk in public and is restricted to traveling on the rooftops of the city buildings. A mysterious stranger comes into the women’s lives while Malika’s father is away on business, and Malika’s respect for the w More...
At the end of the 19th century in the city of Ghadames in southern Libya, 11-year-old Malika’s life is beginning to change. On the brink of adulthood, she is no longer allowed to walk in public and is restricted to traveling on the rooftops of the city buildings. A mysterious stranger comes into the women’s lives while Malika’s father is away on business, and Malika’s respect for the w More...
Oct 22, 2009
Krista the Krazy Kataloguer
rated it:
I liked this book for its depiction of the life of women in Libyan society at this time. Malika defies the order of society when she hides the stranger, thus violating numerous "laws". I imagine that such social restriction can be both smothering and comforting to women, and I admire those with the courage to defy it.
I especially liked how they traveled from rooftop to rooftop and did a lot of things on the roof. Made me wish my roof was flat!
Highly recommen
I especially liked how they traveled from rooftop to rooftop and did a lot of things on the roof. Made me wish my roof was flat!
Highly recommen
Jan 23, 2011
Dotty
rated it:
At the end of the nineteenth century in Libya, eleven-year-old Malika simultaneously enjoys and feels constricted by the narrow world of women, but an injured stranger enters her home and disrupts the traditional order of things.
I liked the book. I really wanted the relationship with Malika and the young man to continue. Wouldn’t a sequel be nice to have the young man return when Malika is a bit older.
I liked the book. I really wanted the relationship with Malika and the young man to continue. Wouldn’t a sequel be nice to have the young man return when Malika is a bit older.
Feb 16, 2010
L11-Mary
rated it:
So far I am really enjoying this book. I am not normally into this type of literature, however this book was great! It was an easy read but reall ymade you feel for the main character Malika. She is a youung girl in Lybia, women have no rights, they are not to go outside or have an education. When her father leaves on a trip, a strange man is found wounded outside. When they try to save him Mlika realizes that this stranger is going to foever change her life.
Feb 06, 2010
Ginger
rated it:
Set near the end of the 19th century, this short novel tells the story of a Muslim girl whose strong desire is to learn to read and write. The secret powers of women, granted by their seperation from male society, are explored in a little adventure the girl shares with her mother and her father's second wife. A strong title for girls.
Apr 20, 2011
Jenny
rated it:
Malika watches her father leave on a trading caravan, leaving her mother, Bilkisu, the second wife, and her brother Jasim alone. A fugitive man is rescued and hidden on the rooftops, the world of women, who are forbidden the streets. What does the future hold for a girl restless behind the walles of Ghadames?
Jan 02, 2010
Kristy
rated it:
Super interesting translated story that won the Batchelder in 2005. Set in the 19th century - The Shadows of Ghadames tells the story of a 12-year-old girl who is on the brink of womanhood and will then be quarantined to the rooftops of her Libiyan town with the other wormen. Beautiful - descriptive.
Jun 18, 2010
Pksoper
rated it:
What a delightful little book! I learned about life in Libya at the end of the 19th century. Malika (nearly 12) learns more about the narrowed life of a woman in the city. Men walk in the streets; women walk on the flat rooftops of the city.
This book is a gem.
This book is a gem.
Dec 23, 2008
Lisa
rated it:
Coffee should be savored with your eyes shut, so that its subtle perfume spreads in your mouth and rises up to your nostrils." pg 72
"Womens bodies are like books; you have to know how to decipher them." pg 75.
This is the story of a Berber girl, Malika, who lives with her family in Ghadames. Her father goes on a journey, and his second wife takes in a strange man at night. Despite the customs of the time, and her mother's initial resistence, Abdelkarim tea More...
"Womens bodies are like books; you have to know how to decipher them." pg 75.
This is the story of a Berber girl, Malika, who lives with her family in Ghadames. Her father goes on a journey, and his second wife takes in a strange man at night. Despite the customs of the time, and her mother's initial resistence, Abdelkarim tea More...
Feb 24, 2010
Coralie
rated it:
This was a sweet, easily read book about a young girl's life in Libya during the late 18th century. Nothing earthshattering, but a glimpse into another culture. This would be a good book for a less accomplished reader.
Feb 02, 2011
Sandy
rated it:
Life for women isn't easy in other countries. This is a really good YA novel for girls to learn about life in the Middle East.
Oct 06, 2009
The Batchelder Award: Association For Library Service to Children: American Library Association
Dec 18, 2011
Julie
rated it: 
not a great read and I usually like historical fiction. sibling rivaly, coming of age, learning to read when girls aren't supposed to. relegation to rooftops. yawn...
Apr 19, 2008
Lora
rated it:
A great look into another culture. Even though this is historical fiction, it really doesn't read like it. It was really fascinating viewing another culture and in particular their view of women. It really brought up feelings and anger in me that I didn't know was there. I would love to teach this book in an elementary or middle school classroom. It just screamed curriculum integration to me. I enjoyed reading it.
Jun 20, 2008
Laurel
rated it:
This is not the type of book I would ordinarily pick up, but I found it compelling in taking you to another time and place where girls were worse than second-class citizens. I thought the author painted a vivid picture of the culture and history of the community and presented an empathetic character. Give it a try!
Jul 21, 2008
Andi
rated it:
A sweet, quick little book about a girl growing up in the middle east. I found the author's 21st century attitudes were imposed upon the characters in the book. I found that slightly unrealistic and off-putting, but for the most part it's a good read.
