Maysa Odeh
Maysa Odeh is a Palestinian writer who grew up between Amman, Jordan and the United States. Her debut picture book was written during the assault on Gaza in 2021, which sparked a conversation between herself and her inner child. A Map for Falasteen answers the questions she was too shy to ask as a child of Palestinian refugees. What is a homeland? Where do you find it? How can you be sure it’s there when you can’t see it? Maysa resides in California with her daughter who asks questions all day long in Arabic and English, and sometimes even in her sleep.
Books By Maysa
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
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