Reviewed by Paige Pagan Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author: Written in the tradition of The Diary of Anne Frank and The Diary of Adrian Mole, Aged 13 ¾, this insightful middle grade novel teases out serious themes such as war and politics, immigration and racism, classism and labor, genderism, and more through the lens […]
Habibi
Review Source: Independent Book Author: An educator wrote: While I love Naomi Shihab Nye’s 1997 book Habibi, it may be helpful to add a disclaimer that it uses the ‘Jews and Arabs’ formula. Also, although the storyline begins to explore ways in which the Oslo Accords did not live up to the initially high hopes […]
Eleven Words for Love: A Journey Through Arabic Expressions of Love
Reviewed by Makai Kellogg and Magy Youssef Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author: Eleven Words for Love: A Journey through Arabic Expressions of Love, by Palestinian-Egyptian author Randa Abdel-Fattah, is summarized on the back cover: A lyrical narrative of a Palestine family in exile explores universal bonds of family, loyalty, and friendship through the […]
The Arabic Quilt: An Immigrant Story
Reviewed by Karen Leggett Abouraya Book Source: African Access Book Author: Egyptian-born author Aya Khalil has focused her picture book on immigrant children who may love the traditions of their family and homeland, but seek desperately to fit into their American world. On her first day in third grade in a new school, Kanzi hears […]
The Night Before Eid: A Muslim Family Story
Reviewed by Heba F. El-Shazli Reviewed Source: Africa Access Book Author: The holy month of Ramadan is a special time of the year for every Muslim family around the world. The end of Ramadan is joyfully celebrated with a holiday named Eid El Fitr, which celebrates the end of a month of fasting from sunrise […]
Sitti’s Bird: A Gaza Story
Review Source: This Week in Palestine Book Author: Written and illustrated by Palestinian artist Malak Mattar, Sitti’s Bird: A Gaza Story is a sensitive and heartwarming story of how a little girl in Gaza finds strength and hope through her discovery of painting. Growing up in Gaza, Malak Mattar was like a lot of other children her age. […]