Barakat’s autobiography of her childhood in Palestine and her desire to become a writer and be educated. Her dream is an inspiration to other females in her family.

Social justice advocates will enjoy this informational history of a white seminarian during the 1960s civil rights movement and his dedication to nonviolent protest. His courage and sacrifice will provide inspiration for future generations. Many historical photographs are included. Author’s Note, Timeline, Bibliography, Source Notes, Index.

Literary Merit: Good
Characterization: Good
Recommendation: Highly Recommended
Reading Level: ages 12 & up
A followup memoir to the 2007 book chronicling the author's childhood in Ramallah following the 1967 Six Day War, the reader is quickly drawn into Ibtisam's everyday activities, school, and family life, set against the turmoil of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict during the years of 1972-1981. Struggling to find herself in a society restrictive to its girls and surrounded by soldiers and conflict, Ibtisam knows there is more to life. A writer, she begins corresponding with pen pals and, encouraged to hone her writing skills by a magazine publisher, she sees the possibility of doors of opportunity opening for her future. When her mother returns to finish her own high school education, the reader sees the importance of equal rights and girls' education through the mother's words: leaving school for marriage felt "worse than death." This book is divided into five parts, correlating withe the five homes the family lived in and is full of struggle and fight and destiny. ( )