The Button Box

After being targeted by Islamophobic and antisemitic bullying at school, Ava and Nadeem use a magical button box belonging to Ava's Sephardic grandmother to travel back to 8th-century Morocco. They encounter Prince Abdur Rahman, an ancestor of Nadeem's who is fleeing for his life. By helping the prince reach Spain, they participate in the foundation of the Golden Age of Al-Andalus, a historical period defined by religious coexistence between Muslims, Jews, and Christians. SENSITIVE TOPICS: The book addresses modern-day religious discrimination and historical political violence (the Prince being hunted) with a direct but age-appropriate approach. The resolution is deeply hopeful, emphasizing that history is not just a series of conflicts but also a legacy of partnership. EMOTIONAL ARC: It begins with the heavy, isolating feeling of being bullied but quickly shifts into a fast-paced, high-stakes adventure. The emotional experience builds from vulnerability to agency and concludes with a profound sense of pride and belonging. IDEAL READER: A 4th or 5th grader who has come home upset because someone made fun of their holiday, their food, or their prayers, and who needs a story that validates their pain while giving them a heroic sense of self. PARENT TRIGGER: The opening scene features schoolmates using hateful slurs and excluding the protagonists, which may be difficult for parents to read if their child is currently suffering from similar treatment. PARENT PREP: The book is very accessible, but parents may want to look up 'Al-Andalus' or the 'Golden Age of Spain' to help explain the historical context of the ending. AGE EXPERIENCE: Younger readers (8-9) will focus on the magic of the cat and the excitement of the escape. Older readers (10-12) will better grasp the nuanced parallels between the historical alliance and their own modern friendships. DIFFERENTIATOR: It is one of the few books that specifically highlights the historical 'Convivencia' (coexistence) of Jewish and Muslim peoples, offering a rare and vital counter-narrative to modern conflict.