The Power of Goodness: Art and Stories for a Culture of Peace

Gr 5 Up—This is a collection of Chechen stories, essays, and art created by children ages six to 20 who were inspired by their own experiences in their war-torn country. The pieces were first compiled in 1995 as the Russians invaded Chechnya. These tales feature primarily Muslim figures. The stories are meant to be a resource for children growing up amid war and conflict, to reassure them that peace is possible. The selections offer an interesting glimpse of a lesser-known country and conflict, but, unfortunately, they lose some of their power because the writing is often uneven and the stories lack depth. A more thorough introduction to Chechnya's history would be helpful to readers who are unfamiliar with the country. The illustrations by Chechen children and teens are thoughtful and a nice counterbalance to the heavy topics of the entries. Without historical context and more refined storytelling, this collection is not likely to appeal to readers.