Food is most definitely a cultural bridge. We all have foods that we love and yet feel like we have to defend from others. (For me, that was egg salad sandwiches growing up. I was bullied in Kindergarten over their smell and I don't think I ate another one for ten years.)

This story is of two girls who bring two vastly different sandwiches to school. They think the others is disgusting, but only because it is something that they have not tried. Once they do.......a new world is opened up not just to them but to the whole school.

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Like all best friends, Lily and Salma do everything together: They draw pictures, play on the swings, jump rope and eat lunch together. But Lily eats a peanut-butter–and-jelly sandwich while Salma eats a hummus-and-pita sandwich. Each girl thinks the other’s looks yucky! When they say so, the friendship splits, schoolkids take sides and someone yells FOOD FIGHT! Salma and Lily feel ashamed, especially when they are called into the principal’s office. The next day they sample each other’s sandwiches and declare them delicious. They go to the principal’s office again, this time with an idea to share—a gatefold depicts a long picnic table overflowing with ethnic food and happy kids. Tusa’s whimsical illustrations spice up the story. Her large, vivacious drawings contribute character and comic touches, especially to the food fight, but there is one notable omission in this story of cultural understanding: Absent from the picnic table’s array of flags identifying ethnicities (which include Iceland, Greece and Mexico among others, in addition to the United States and Jordan) is the Israeli flag—a hugely sad missed opportunity. (author’s note) (Picture book. 4-7)

I believe this books touches on an important topic such as food. It teaches children to have respect for other people's culture. I think this book is perfect for children who are curious about other cultures and how to act when something looks unfamiliar. ( )

Good can come out of bad! Put aside your differences! This is a really good book for students to understand the concept of different is good and friendship can and will come out of differences. ( )

Selma and Lily are two best friends who find themselves in a huge fight over whose lunch is better. The fight escalates until the whole school is involved! The friends learn to look past their differences and remain friends. I thought the book does a great job at naming what each girl felt, and teaches the reader to do the same. ( )