Journey of the Midnight Sun

January 1, 2022
In Inuvik, a town 200 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle, a makeshift trailer mosque is no longer adequate for the growing Muslim community. The cost of building "a bigger one so far north" is prohibitive, so the Winnipeg-based Zubaidah Tallab Foundation steps in to help. Based on a true story, this picture book describes the remarkable project, from fundraising and building the mosque in Winnipeg to transporting it to Inuvik more than 4,000 kilometers away. The mosque's long-distance journey is fraught with perils and challenges that require the efforts of many people to overcome. Road signs and power lines have to be moved to accommodate the oversized semitrailer conveying The Midnight Sun Mosque over back roads and country highways as it struggles to make it to the last Hay River barge crossing of the season before the winter freeze. Ghare's scenic, digital illustrations do the heavy lifting in this intriguing story narrated in straightforward, spare text. The artwork depicts racially and ethnically diverse communities of Muslims and non-Muslims in both locales. Roman Catholic clerics and Gwich'in First Nations elders are present at the official opening of the new mosque. A short introduction and author's note provide additional details for consideration and discussion. A simple, celebratory story of community collaboration and religious tolerance. (Picture book. 3-6)

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February 15, 2022
Preschool-Grade 2 In this picture book based on a true story, Afzal chronicles the collaborative efforts undertaken to ensure that an Islamic community has a place of worship in one of the northernmost towns of Canada's Arctic. With financial aid from a charity, a prefabricated mosque is built in Winnipeg, Manitoba; it then travels 4,000 kilometers to Inuvik, in the Northwest Territories. As the Midnight Sun crosses the country on a semitrailer, many people, from the work crews on job sites to other drivers sharing the road, go the distance to offer a helping hand. Simple, declarative sentences have the immediacy and resoluteness of a logbook: "Power lines had to be lifted. Bridges had to be widened." Ghare's multipanel digital illustrations cinematically capture the epic journey--on land and water--and the challenges overcome en route. The town of Inuvik welcomes the mosque's arrival with an interfaith feast and celebration. Author's notes share additional background information as well as personal experiences and reflections. An uplifting, effectively delivered account of acceptance, support, and solidarity.

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April 1, 2022

PreS-Gr 1-This title tells the true story of a pre-built mosque that was shipped to a growing Muslim community near the Arctic Circle. It was too expensive to build a mosque in Inuvik, a rural region of northwest Canada, so the community asked for one to be sent to them from Winnipeg. The mosque was driven from nearly the very south to the very north of the country, and required many accommodations along the way. All ends well, with the people being able to worship every day in their new mosque. The story is almost set like a graphic novel with sparse text and the action occurring mostly through illustrations, sometimes set as panels on the page. The buildings, animals, and scenery are particularly striking, and the spreads convey just how massive an undertaking this was. Young readers will like seeing the efforts of people helping the mosque and the amazed seals watching the boat tugging it along in the water. Both the author and illustrator are Muslim, and the author's note explains why this story is special. It's epic, and an example of strong faith and community. VERDICT This may need some booktalking, but readers will quickly sink into an adventure that combines architecture, logistics, cartography, and very likely a lot of prayers.-Elissa Cooper

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