Lines in the Sand: New Writing on War and Peace

by Mary Hoffman (Editor), David Kinnaird (Contributor)

Described by Publishing News as "one of the hottest books of [the 2003 Bologna Children's Book Fair]," this is a challenging and thoughtprovoking collection of new poetry and prose from some of the world's most prestigious and talented children's authors and illustrators, with an original cover by Jane Ray. 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 antiwar message and will serve as a cry for peace in these troubled times. All royalties will go to UNICEF to directly fund the bringing of aid to child victims of the war in Iraq. We feel very strongly that there is currently nothing 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 antiwar movement is in danger of being silenced in America. It will be appreciated by children 7 up and adults of all ages.

Genres: War

288 pages, Paperback

First published June 12, 2003

About the author

See also works published under Mary Lassiter

Mary Hoffman is a bestselling British author and reviewer, born in 1945. She is a true enthusiast of Italy and spends a lot of her time there, which shows in her Stravaganza novels: a series currently in publication. In total, she has written over 80 books, including the aforementioned Stravaganza series and the bestselling picture book, Amazing Grace. Mary is also the editor of a review magazine Armadillo for kids.

Watch the book trailer for David, Mary Hoffman's most recent novel

Reviews

[Georgiana]

A really good anthology of accessible poems and war stories for young adults.

Counting

When they do war
They forget how to count

They forget how to count
And that's how they do it.

They come
They kill

They kill
They go

They give us
No numbers
No names
They disappear them
They vanish them
It's how they do it.

They come
They kill

They kill
They go

Names are deleted
Numbers are un-counted
bodies are un-included
Faces are un-remembered
That's how they do it.

They come in
They flush out

They mop up
They take out

No numbers
No names

No names
No numbers

And it's worth it,
they say.
It's worth it.
Believe us, it's worth it
believe us.
Oh yes it IS worth it
if you forget how to count.
It IS worth it
if you forget the numbers.
It IS worth it
if you forget the names.
It IS worth it
if you forget the faces.
That's how they do it.

But
we're counting.
Watch us:
we're counting.
Listen:
we're counting.
And-

-we count.

Michael Rosen

This poem is dedicated to all the dead of all wars who are not counted. I can remember when the Vietnam war was going on, we never found out how many Vietnamese died. In the war against Afghanistan, whic we were told was "worth it," we never found out how many our leaders killed. There was every chance that as many innocent people died in that war as were killed in the twin towers. Now, after the war in Iaq, we may never find out how many Iraqis have died.

[Ann Jacobus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally published in the UK, this is an excellent anthology of poetry, short fiction and illustrations on the age-old, ever-present subject of war. Contributions are from top authors and illustrators and even some not-top authors (I'm proud to have a short story in here). An ideal classroom book.
Okay, so I'm biased.

[Inggita · Rating 4 out of 5]

this anthology of essays and poetry donated by authors is published to raise funds for UNICEF and the young victims of the Iraq war and to get people on the peace bandwagon amidst the war drum beatings of the "Iraq Invasion"

[Lydia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was boring for me..... But not everybody is in love with poetry and War, right? It is a really sad book, even if it takes time for me to truly understand. Just persist and your eyes will be filled with tears...Well thats what happened to me.