By Anonymous
1 min read
By Anonymous
An Inverness schoolgirl has taken inspiration from a Michael Morpurgo book to write her own version of the Middle East conflict - from the Israeli perspective.
Now, Mr Morpurgo has promised to read 12-year-old Emily Reid's book, A Dream for Peace, to children in Israel and the Palestinian areas.
His own book, The Kites are Flying, is about a journalist who meets a Palestinian boy in the West Bank on one side of the Israeli-built security wall.
But Cauldeen Primary School pupil Emily wanted to know more about a minor character, Abia, an Israeli girl in a wheelchair, the survivor of a Palestinian bombing which killed her mother. Abia watches the Palestinian character, Said, from the other side of the West Bank security barrier.
Headteacher George Glass said: "I suggested that she researched the girl in the story and then write her own story from Abia's perspective."
Emily said: "I had to read the book very carefully to find out what the boy said about Abia, so I could be true to the story.
"I wanted to show that even though the two seem to be enemies, they have the same hopes and dreams for peace. I love writing, it is my favourite subject."
Emily, who Mr Glass describes as "an exceptionally gifted writer", took a week to write and illustrate her book. She now plans to pursue a career as an author or a foreign correspondent. She said: "I'd like to visit Israel and Palestine, but when I'm older."
Her school will publish and sell the book. Copies are also being put in the National Library of Scotland.
Emily sent a copy to Michael Morpurgo who replied: "I love A Dream for Peace. Thanks so much for sending it. I shall keep it and read it to the children when I go to Palestine and Israel."
The pupils at Cauldeen read the Morpurgo book as part of a British Council twinning programme with schools across the world. Their twin schools include ones in Lebanon, Afghanistan and Gaza.
From Emily Reid's book:
"I wheeled my wheelchair outside all by myself today! Papa says that I am getting stronger every day and that I am just like mama because I never give up. Papa is now wheeling me outside every day and my brother usually comes out as well to play football with his friends but I like to watch the boy fly his kites. Today there was someone with him which is strange because he is usually alone."