  | Map for Falasteen Author: Odeh, Maysa | |
| Price: $23.98 | ||
Summary:
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.
| Illustrator: | Betawi, Aliaa |
| Accelerated Reader Information: Interest Level: LG Reading Level: 3.80 Points: .5 Quiz: 554057 |
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (+) (08/15/24)
School Library Journal (+) (00/01/25)
Booklist (+) (10/01/24)
The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
Full Text Reviews:
Booklist - 10/01/2024 *Starred Review* When the teacher asks her students to point to the map of the world and talk about where their families are from, Falasteen cannot find Palestine on it. The teacher tells her she thinks “there's no such place.” Thus begins a search that will resonate with thousands of children and the adults who will be forced to confront the question “Why isn’t Palestine on the map?” Falasteen turns to the adults in her life—a loving intergenerational community—who are prepared with accessible yet realistic explanations about their homeland and history. (More information can be found in the back matter.) The illustrations add specific details, such as a prayer mat, framed photos, and scenes of forced displacement of families. One particularly powerful image depicts a woman carrying her home on her back. While Falasteen learns of the destruction of Palestine, she also learns that she can turn to people and experiences to find the country itself: it's in a key from their old home, the bread that Teta bakes, the beat of the dabke drum, and most importantly, it's in the people who survive and thrive. 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. - Copyright 2024 Booklist.
