Melanie Karren

Dr. Mary Warner

English 112B

10 December 2008

Annotated Bibliography

A Voice for the Young Women of the Middle East

The young women of the Middle East have been silent for far too long. It is important that the stories of their lives be told. The Iraq War and the War on Terrorism has brought attention to the countries of the Middle East. Almost daily there is an article in the paper about the Taliban, Shiites, Sunnis, suicide bombings, car explosions, and loss of life. Today the ancient lands of the Middle East are struggling under the heavy weight of poverty, oppression, war, and religious fanaticism. The countries of Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Palestine, and Kuwait are torn apart by terrorist bombings, religious factions, power struggles, and war.

What do we know about the young women who live in the Middle East? What is their story? What is life like for them in the region of the world that is considered the cradle of civilization? When my Marine son returned from an eight month deployment in Iraq he had hundreds of pictures to show his family about his time spent in Al Fallujah, Al Mad, the Anbar Province, and surrounding areas. Although, the pictures of the NM" (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) vehicle, and the men he served with were interesting to see, what captured my attention most was the pictures of the Iraqi women and girls. I wanted to know more about the lives of the faces captured on film

What is life like for the women riding in the back of the truck with the dogs, and sheep? I wonder if they question that they have to ride in the open bed of the truck in the scorching sun, temperatures reaching 130 degrees while their male counterparts ride in the air‑conditioned, dust free cab or is this just an accepted way of life for them. What thoughts play through the mind of the young woman peering out from beneath her hijab, as she spends her days and nights in the desert herding camels? Does she wish for more out of life? Or like Shabanu does she love her life in the windswept desert? I will never have the opportunity to meet and talk with these women and young girls. The best way for me to get a further glimpse into their lives is to read informative literary non‑fiction, or well‑written personal experiences about young women in the Middle East.

The women and young women of the Middle East are crying out for understanding, their voice has been silenced in the patriarchal ideologies of their world and in literature. Zora Neale Hurston wrote, "There is no agony like bearing an un‑told story inside you" (157). There is a great need for authors to write the stories of young women in the Middle East to make us eyewitnesses to their saga and enrich our understanding of this conflicted, mysterious land and people. Naomi Shihab Nye as quoted in Literature for Today Young Adults shares When I write about the Middle East, or anywhere else on earth, the poem or story is only trying to shine a little light on human realities which exist for all people in the world, not just some of us ... (57) I chose the theme of giving voice to the young women in the Middle East for my annotated bibliography to try to shed some light on the realities of life that young women throughout the Middle East face. When I look at the picture of the majestic, young camel herder in Iraq I will think of the fortitude and spirit of the young women portrayed in the collection of books from my annotated bibliography.

Abdel‑Fattah, Randa. Does My Head Look Big in This? New York: Orchard Books, 2005.

The main character is a teenage girl named Ama! Mohamed Nasrullah Abdel‑Hakim. Ama! is an Australian born Muslim‑Palestinian who attends a preparatory high school in Melbourne. This book is not about a young women living in the Middle East, but she is Muslim and has to deal with prejudice. Ama! decides to wear her hajib the first day of her junior year in High School. She is proud of her culture, yet she doesn't really want to stand out. The story takes place in 2002 just one year after the 9/11 attacks when a lot of anti‑Muslim sentiment exists. This book is helpful to show how difficult it is to stand out as a Muslim in another culture. The story would appeal to teenagers struggling with their own identity. Through wit and humor it helps break stereotypes, and gives valuable insight on what it means to be a Muslim.

Barakat, Ibtisam. Tasting the Sky: a Palestinian Childhood. New York: Farrar, 2007.

The author recounts her childhood growing up in war torn Palestine during the Six‑day war and its frightening aftermath. Her family flees Palestine and goes to Jordan where they remain as refugees for more than four months. They return to their devastated homeland, and are forced to endure great hardships. This book is written from the child‑like perspective of the author; which makes the experiences she and her family had to go through even more difficult and heart wrenching. Although this book is about war it contains some hope that people will be able to come to an understanding of peace. Tasting the Sky provides a glimpse into a little known culture; it was awarded the School Library Journal Best Books Award. This book can help us learn more about conflicts in the Middle East between the Palestinians and Israelis.

Hosseini, Khaled. A Thousand Splendid Suns. New York: Riverhead Books, 2007.

This is a moving story that chronicles the last thirty years in Afghanistan, from the Soviet invasion, through the reign of the Taliban, to post Taliban re‑building efforts. This story is told through the lives of two women, Mariam and Laila. They are strong courageous women who overcome many obstacles. Their love of family helps them struggle to survive in difficult situations. It is a very compelling novel; the story‑telling keeps you in suspense. The author is Afghani born and deals accurately with the terrible circumstances in Afghanistan especially for women. You feel emotionally connected to the women in the story, so when awful things happen to them it is very powerful and you develop empathy for all women in Afghanistan.

Jarrar, Randa A Map of Home. New York: Other Press, 2008.

A recently published book about a young rebellious girl named Nidali who is the daughter of an Egyptian‑Greek mother and a Palestinian father. Nidali was born in Boston and then raised in Kuwait until she was thirteen and her family was forced to flee during the Iraqi invasion. Nidali's father, Waheed is rather overbearing; he stresses education and wants her to become a professor. Waheed attempts to live out his dreams vicariously through Nidali. His education in Palestine was interrupted because of war and he had to move to Egypt. This book shows how the turmoil of war impacts lives. Growing up in the Middle East Nidali and her family had to endure bombings, soldiers with guns, check‑points, and other military action. The book also demonstrates the constant shifting of power in the Middle East. This could not be a book taught in school. It is funny, edgy, and sometimes charming, but it is difficult to overlook the crude language.

Latifa. * Forbidden Face: Growing Up under the Taliban: A Young Woman 's Story. New York: Talk Miramax Books, 2003.

The book starts on September 27, 1996 the day after the white flag of the Taliban is flown over Kabul. Latifa is sixteen years old when the Taliban begins its rule in Afghanistan. The book is an auto‑biographical account of the five year period that Latifa and her family lived under Taliban rule before they were lucky enough to be able to flee the country. Before the Taliban took over Latifa and other women in Afghanistan had relative freedoms. Under Taliban rule women especially faced numerous restrictions; they were not able to leave their own home without being accompanied by a male guardian. Latifa's story is about extreme oppression, sexism, and restricted freedoms under Taliban rule and how they affected her life. Latifa shares her views from an Afghani perspective of the September 11th terrorist attacks on the United States. This book is important because it provides valuable eye‑opening information about the restrictive reality of life in Afghanistan, and a different less shocking view of 9/11 from the perspective of someone who was suffering under the rule of the Taliban. McCormick, Patricia. Sold. New York: Hyperion, 2006.

Lakshmi is a thirteen‑year old girl from a small mountain village in Nepal that is sold into prostitution and forced to work in a brothel named "Happiness House". Lakshimi's life becomes a nightmare as she fights towards earning her freedom back. Courage and a strong will to survive help Lakshimi endure her life as a sex slave. Even though, it is a work of fiction it is based on excellent research and survivor interviews of young women who have faced similar situations. This book brings to light a real problem facing young women throughout the world. Sold can be a source of hope, and teach young women that they can have power over their life even in extreme conditions. (Information taken from The Allan Review, "Clip and File Book Reviews" Fall 2007 volume 35).

Qamar, Amjed. Beneath My Mother's Feet. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2008.

Nazia is a fourteen‑year old girl living in contemporary Pakistan. Nazia is a good "beti" (dutiful daughter), who attends school and is promised to many her cousin. Nazia's father is independent, yet compassionate, and loyal to her family. The book, Shabanu is a winner of many awards including the Newbeny Honor Book, and ALA Best Book for Young Adults. It is one of the first books giving voice to young women of the Middle East. Suzanne Fisher Staples says that the scenes in the story are based on stories that the women of Pakistan told her about themselves or someone they knew. Shabanu is a groundbreaking novel preparing the way for other novels about Middle Eastern young women.

Staples, Suzanne Fisher. Under the Persimmon Tree. New York: Farrar, 2005.

The story is told from the perspective of two different narrators. Najmah is a young Afghan girl whose family is destroyed during the 2001 Afghan War. Najmah sets off to Pakistan to try to find her father and brother after her mother is killed. While she is in Pakistan she meets Nusrat an American woman married to a missing Afghan doctor. While Nusrat waits for her husband to return she sets up a school for refugee children under the persimmon tree in her yard. The events in this book are also based on true life stories from women in the Middle East as told to Suzanne Fisher Staples when she worked in Afghanistan and Pakistan. This novel reveals intimate detailed information not found in a newspaper that provides a deep insight into the problems and culture of the Middle East at war.

Other Works Cited

Madison, Soyini D., ed. The Woman That I Am: The Literature and Culture of Contemporary Women of Color. New York: T. Martin's Press, Inc., 1994.

Nilsen, Alleen Pace, Kenneth L Donelson. Literature for Today's Young Adults 8th ed., New York: Pearson Education, Inc., 2008.