An Act of Love

by Alan Gibbons

Overview

Childhood friends Chris and Imran celebrate the Millenium as inseparable blood brothers, they are both seven years old. But by 2011 their lives have taken very different paths. One has joined the Army and served in Afghanistan, the other is a potential jihad recruit. They are no longer friends, and there are bitter wounds between them which remain unhealed. Will their childhood bond be strong enough to overcome an extremist plot?

In a highly-charged, honest and life affirming story, told in flashback from both Chris and Imran's viewpoint, Alan Gibbon's cleverly explores the very real issue of terrorism that affects everyone today.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781444003680
Publisher:	Hachette Children's Group
Publication date:	06/02/2011
Sold by:	Hachette Digital, Inc.
Format:	eBook
File size:	1 MB
Age Range:	9 - 11 Years

About the Author

Alan Gibbons is a full-time writer and a visiting speaker and lecturer at schools, colleges and literary events nationwide, including the major book festivals. He lives in Liverpool with his wife and has four grown up children. He travels globally and is known the length and breadth of the country for his high profile Campaign for the Book and school visits.

Visit his website at http://www.alangibbons.com, read his blog at http://alangibbons.net, follow him on Twitter at https://twitter.com/mygibbo, Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/alan.gibbons.35 and Flickr at http://www.flickr.com/people/71279646@N08.

Alan Gibbons is a full-time writer and a visiting speaker and lecturer at schools, colleges and literary events nationwide, including the major book festivals: Edinburgh, Northern Children's Book Festival, Swansea, Cheltenham, Sheffield and Salford. Alan is a key supporter of a high-profile, nationwide campaign to champion libraries and librarianship and to reevaluate government commitment to educational spending. He lives in Liverpool with his wife and four children. Alan is an honorary CILIP member.

Visit Alan's website at www.alangibbons.com, read his blog at alangibbons.net, follow him on Twitter @mygibbo, Facebook www.facebook.com/alan.gibbons.35 and Flickr www.flickr.com/people/71279646@N08.

Editorial Reviews

A highly charged and life-affirming story ... cleverly explores both sides of an emotive and important issue—Liverpool Echo

This, for once, is a young adult novel genuinely meriting the description 'thought-provoking'.—School Librarian

The most powerful YA book that I have read this year ... beautifully written ... the sharpness of prose and utterly skillful storytelling should make this book a must-read for young men and women all across Britain—Catherine Johnson, Armadillo

A moving account of friendship broken and repaired by the complications of social justice, and has relevance beyond the specific story it tells—Books For Keeps

Grapples head-on with the problems of terror, race and religion—Carousel

From the Publisher

05/01/2014
Gr 8 Up—Mates Chris and Imran have been inseparable since childhood. But as they approach adolescence, their friendship is strained by escalating discord in their community between the peaceful Muslim population and right-wing activists who try to antagonize them. Imran is the victim of subtle and overt acts of racism, some of which Chris is oblivious to. Over time, Imran develops a bitter anger related to the worldwide mistreatment of Muslims and eventually becomes involved with extremists. Meanwhile, Chris has drifted away from Imran; he joins the army and finds himself fighting in Afghanistan. Eventually, facing a bomb that is scheduled to be detonated at a ceremony recognizing returned veterans, both boys must look inward and recover some trust in each other in order to make a decision that could potentially save lives. The non-linear plot of this novel is well developed and successfully builds momentum. Chapters switch between alternating viewpoints, offering readers a balanced understanding of each protagonist. Characters are skillfully constructed; the protagonists are realistic and likable, with relatable motivations and concerns. The complexities of racial tension are sensitively explored—particularly the various groups' differing responses: elders in this Muslim community preach tolerance and understanding whereas the sons become increasingly indignant about the injustices. This will certainly provoke conversation about friendship, war, and how societies should deal with prejudice. This book will also serve as an excellent curriculum tie-in for units on recent history and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.—Julie Hanson, Chicago Public Library

School Library Journal