Books
A Map for Falasteen
A Map for Falasteen is recipient of the Jane Addams Foundation Honor Award, the Arab American Book Award and the Muslim Book Reviewers Judges’ Award. It is a Kirkus Best Book of 2024 and a Booklist Editors Choice of 2024.
★ "[A Map for Falasteen] fills a gap in representations of the Palestinian diaspora, offering a much-needed insider’s perspective. . . . A haunting, powerful, and crucial tale of culture and identity."
—Kirkus, starred review
★ “While Falasteen learns of the destruction of Palestine, she also learns that she can turn to people and experiences to find the country itself. . . . With descriptive text and beautiful illustrations, this timely book is heavy with sadness yet buoyed by hope. A powerful read-aloud that will invite important discussions."
—Booklist, starred review
★ "Betawi renders Falasteen's immediate surroundings in yellows and oranges that give way to deep-blue remembrances, while Odeh sensitively narrates this double debut about a family's culture and homeland."
—Publishers Weekly, starred review
Upside Down Iftar
Malak can’t wait to help her grandmother make iftar for their family. But when they decide to make makloubeh, everyone has a favorite ingredient to add, and Malak isn’t sure how they’ll fit it all in! This iftar is sure to be one to remember!
Packed with warm, vibrant illustrations and the beautiful chaos of a bustling kitchen, Upside Down Iftar is a heartwarming celebration of family, food, and culture.
★"What begins as a traditional family recipe becomes a reflection of love and compromise."―School Library Journal
"A vibrant, soulful feast of tradition, identity, and love."―Kirkus
A Trip For Falasteen
In this picture book follow-up to A Map for Falasteen, young Falasteen journeys to Palestine for the first time, experiencing both the beauty and unexpected challenges of being in her homeland.
Falasteen and her parents are on their way to Palestine just like Falasteen has always dreamed!
First, she needs a passport, which has her looooong name written on it. Then, they start their journey, which is far from easy—the plane ride is almost as long as her name; there's a scary guard at the border crossing, who turns Baba away; and it's hard for Mama and Falasteen to figure out which streets they're allowed to drive on.
But when they finally arrive in Baba's village, Falasteen makes a new friend—and when he hears her long name, he tells her about grandfather, and her great-grandfather, and her great-great-grandfather, who all lived here and whose names she carries with her. And Falasteen finally starts to feel at home.