Kid Review: Wrestling Against Anger: Sulaiman’s Challenging Neighbour (Sulaiman Series, 4) by Aliya Vaughan

Sulaiman lives in a housing estate with his mother, father, and young sister Hannah. He is glad to take more responsibility and to help out, so is glad to be asked to go to the local store to get bread and milk. However, there is a man who has been hanging out in the area, yelling at passersby. He is older and doesn’t look particularly kempt, and he shouts his abuse at everyone. Sulaiman’s mother reminds him to be kind, and the idea of patience and self restraint is repeated by his judo teacher. When the man, Mr. Cartwright, yells at Sulaiman’s family when they are on their way home from the market, Sulaiman thinks that he might need to use his judo skills to protect his family. Instead, Mr. Cartwright falls and hurts himself badly. Sulaiman’s father is passing by the market, and insists that they all wait until the paramedics arrive. The mother gets a blanket from their apartment, and even though the man is still angry and shouting, they all wait. When help arrives, Sulaiman’s father wants to go to the hospital with Mr. Cartwright, in case he needs anything. The doctors think Mr. Cartwright has a broken hip, but it turns out to just be some high blood pressure and heart issues that could be helped by reining in his anger. He eventually warms to Sulaiman’s family after it is apparent that his own family situation was unfortunate. They invite their neighbor to join them at a charity fair on Christmas, and he surprises them by cleaning up well and being friendly. Sulaiman’s parents remind him that it is important to be kind to everyone, even those who seem to deserve it least.