Bibliography:
Nye, Naomi Shihab. 1997. HABIBI. New York City, NY: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. ISBN 0-689-80149-1.
Plot Summary:
Habibi is the story of a young fourteen year old girl named Liyana who moves with her parents and younger brother, Rafik, from St. Louis to Jerusalem. Her father moved to the United States when he was a young man and he always knew he'd want to move his family to Jerusalem to get to know his family and understand where they come from. Liyana is welcomed with open arms by relatives who speak a different language than her but everything Liyana has known is just a memory compared to what her new life is like now. Liyana befriends a Jewish boy, Omar, who helps her overcome being homesick but their friendship is frowned upon because he is Jewish and she Palestinian.
Critical Analysis:
This books is really amazing, I feel like it's a story many young girls will enjoy reading because Liyana is such a lovely character but there so much truth in the writing about Jerusalem, the relationship between the Jews and Palistinians, as well as many of the strange "rules" that exist that Liyana is so foreign to. I also love the relationship Liyana and Rafik have, it's a wonderful brother sister relationship. They aren't mean to one another, they truly care for eachother and that is nice to see depicted in a book.
As I began this book I wondered if we'd find out why Liana's father, Poppy, left Jerusalem. I love how the story was told as an extra credit paper that Liana writes. From an adults perspective as you read the paper Liana writes you can tell there is so much more that Poppy witnessed just based on adult knowledge of what occures in the middle east but Poppy told Liana information that was age appropriate for her and her class. I love that he wanted more for himself and that eventhough his family wasn't happy with his decision he knew it was best for him.
One part of the story I found to be so odd but also one I can identify with is when Poppy and the family are visiting his extended family for the first time after their arrival and towards the end of the evening family members start asking for things. I wonder if that is common in such poor countries if a family member educates themselves and does well that family and friends will ask for that person to buy them things. I know this is common with family members in the United States when one does well and others are poor that they feel comfortable to openly ask for things, I find it odd but it does happen.
When Uncle Zaki, Poppy's elder brother, asked for Liyana's hand in marriage for his son and Poppy said "We do not embrace such archaic customs, and furthermore, does she look ready to be married? She's fourteen years old," was a point in the story that if I were in Poppy's shoes I would be thinking my country hasn't changed enough to validate moving the family to Jerusalem. That was shocking, I can't imagine being Liyana in that situation nor Poppy and having to realize just how different American customs are compared to customs in the Middle East.
Naomi Shihab does a wonderful job describing Jerusalem and the old buildings. But I especially love how she describes the woman's clothing, "thick fabrics, purple, gold and navy blue, and stitched brightly with fabulous, complicated embroidery." But then it's so strange they are wearing jelly style shoes that are "plastic, slip-on shoes in pastel colors." I always appreciate books that do a wonderful job describing surroundings and people that I am not familiar with, it's wonderful she does this.
I wish the author, Naomi Shihab Nye, would have put some background information about herself at the end of the book like many authors do. I can tell based on her Awknowledgements section that she does have family from Jerusalem if not herself personally but I cannot tell fully what her background is. I would like to know how much of a personal influence the author's life has on this story, it's so wonderful it would be really interesting.
Review Awards and Excerpts:
ALA Best Book for Young AdultsHabibi is the story of a young fourteen year old girl named Liyana who moves with her parents and younger brother, Rafik, from St. Louis to Jerusalem. Her father moved to the United States when he was a young man and he always knew he'd want to move his family to Jerusalem to get to know his family and understand where they come from. Liyana is welcomed with open arms by relatives who speak a different language than her but everything Liyana has known is just a memory compared to what her new life is like now. Liyana befriends a Jewish boy, Omar, who helps her overcome being homesick but their friendship is frowned upon because he is Jewish and she Palestinian.
Critical Analysis:
This books is really amazing, I feel like it's a story many young girls will enjoy reading because Liyana is such a lovely character but there so much truth in the writing about Jerusalem, the relationship between the Jews and Palistinians, as well as many of the strange "rules" that exist that Liyana is so foreign to. I also love the relationship Liyana and Rafik have, it's a wonderful brother sister relationship. They aren't mean to one another, they truly care for eachother and that is nice to see depicted in a book.
As I began this book I wondered if we'd find out why Liana's father, Poppy, left Jerusalem. I love how the story was told as an extra credit paper that Liana writes. From an adults perspective as you read the paper Liana writes you can tell there is so much more that Poppy witnessed just based on adult knowledge of what occures in the middle east but Poppy told Liana information that was age appropriate for her and her class. I love that he wanted more for himself and that eventhough his family wasn't happy with his decision he knew it was best for him.
One part of the story I found to be so odd but also one I can identify with is when Poppy and the family are visiting his extended family for the first time after their arrival and towards the end of the evening family members start asking for things. I wonder if that is common in such poor countries if a family member educates themselves and does well that family and friends will ask for that person to buy them things. I know this is common with family members in the United States when one does well and others are poor that they feel comfortable to openly ask for things, I find it odd but it does happen.
When Uncle Zaki, Poppy's elder brother, asked for Liyana's hand in marriage for his son and Poppy said "We do not embrace such archaic customs, and furthermore, does she look ready to be married? She's fourteen years old," was a point in the story that if I were in Poppy's shoes I would be thinking my country hasn't changed enough to validate moving the family to Jerusalem. That was shocking, I can't imagine being Liyana in that situation nor Poppy and having to realize just how different American customs are compared to customs in the Middle East.
Naomi Shihab does a wonderful job describing Jerusalem and the old buildings. But I especially love how she describes the woman's clothing, "thick fabrics, purple, gold and navy blue, and stitched brightly with fabulous, complicated embroidery." But then it's so strange they are wearing jelly style shoes that are "plastic, slip-on shoes in pastel colors." I always appreciate books that do a wonderful job describing surroundings and people that I am not familiar with, it's wonderful she does this.
I wish the author, Naomi Shihab Nye, would have put some background information about herself at the end of the book like many authors do. I can tell based on her Awknowledgements section that she does have family from Jerusalem if not herself personally but I cannot tell fully what her background is. I would like to know how much of a personal influence the author's life has on this story, it's so wonderful it would be really interesting.
Review Awards and Excerpts:
ALA Notable Children's Book
Jane Addams Book Award
New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age
American Bookseller"Pick of the Lists"
Judy Lopez Memorial Award for Children's Literature
Texas Institute of Letters Best Book for Young Readers
Connections:
- I think it would be really fascinating to read a story such as this one and have adults from other countries come in to discuss their personal experiences living in those countries with children. It's important for children to hear about other cultures
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