Jerusalem's status as the holiest city to Jews, Christians and Muslims alike, has long made it a battleground. But Podwal (A Sweet Year
) uses lyrical language and radiant paintings to go to the heart of what makes this sacred place so special. He incorporates the unique role of the sky in Jerusalem's history, whose history also traces the three religions born here, symbolized by the star, cross and moon/crescent. A star in the sky announced Jesus' birth; the Jerusalem skies did not rain during daylight for seven years so that the great Jewish temple could be built, and Muhammad rode through the sky "on a flying horse,/ then reached heaven/ on a stairway of light." Jerusalem is also believed by some to be the origin of every breeze, cloud, rainbow and sunrise on Earth. Thought-provoking, inspirational and informative, Podwal's text is buoyed by stylish, energetically textured paintings in vibrant hues. Readers will be left pondering Podwal's overarching idea: "Perhaps possessing Jerusalem is like trying to own the sky." All ages. (Aug.)
