A Map for Falasteen by Maysa Odeh
Can a place exist if it's not on a map? At school, Falasteen and her classmates are tasked with finding their families' home countries on a map, but no matter how hard she looks, Falasteen can't find Palestine. Confused, Falasteen turns to her family for answers. Her grandfather, grandmother and mama encourage her to see their homeland from a different perspective, and each of their stories helps her understand her people's history and her own place in the world.
Filled with beautiful, inspiring illustrations, this is a story of family, resilience and home always being where the heart is.
Can a place exist if it's not on a map? At school, Falasteen and her classmates are tasked with finding their families' home countries on a map, but no matter how hard she looks, Falasteen can't find Palestine. Confused, Falasteen turns to her family for answers. Her grandfather, grandmother and mama encourage her to see their homeland from a different perspective, and each of their stories helps her understand her people's history and her own place in the world.
Filled with beautiful, inspiring illustrations, this is a story of family, resilience and home always being where the heart is.
Can a place exist if it's not on a map? At school, Falasteen and her classmates are tasked with finding their families' home countries on a map, but no matter how hard she looks, Falasteen can't find Palestine. Confused, Falasteen turns to her family for answers. Her grandfather, grandmother and mama encourage her to see their homeland from a different perspective, and each of their stories helps her understand her people's history and her own place in the world.
Filled with beautiful, inspiring illustrations, this is a story of family, resilience and home always being where the heart is.
About the Author
Maysa Odeh is a Palestinian writer who grew up between Amman, Jordan and the United States. A Map for Falasteen was inspired by a conversation with her inner child; it answers the questions she was too shy to ask as a child of Palestinian refugees. Maysa lives in California with her daughter, Malak, who asks questions all day long in Arabic and English, and sometimes even in her sleep.
About the Illustrator
Aliaa Betawi is a self-taught Palestinian artist based in Alexandria, Egypt, who developed her craft by observing her gifted mother. She believes that every youngster deserves a childhood filled with magical, joyful memories, and this is what she works to give to all children, including herself. A Map for Falasteen was her opportunity to capture a memory of Palestine, a memory she could not enjoy as a Palestinian child in exile.
Praise for A Map for Falasteen
‘there is much to be learned from reading this touching and timely tribute’
- Children's Books Ireland’s Annual Reading Guide 2024
‘Written with sensitivity and care and inspired by the true story of the author’s maternal family, Falasteen learns how Palestine lives on in every Palestinian, in their food, traditions and, in their hearts. An important and timely read for all’
- Irish Examiner
'with descriptive text and beautiful illustrations, this timely book is heavy with sadness yet buoyed with hope. A powerful read-aloud that will invite important discussions'
- Booklist, Amina Chaudhri
‘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
Publisher: The O’Brien Press
Date Published: 22 October 2024
Paperback, 32 pages
ISBN: 9781788495554
