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L12_markmesserly's Reviews > Tasting the Sky: A Palestinian Childhood
Tasting the Sky: A Palestinian Childhood
by
by
--- This review is based upon the Feb. 2007 Kindle edition ---
This is an expressive memoir of the author’s experience as a child during the Six Days’ War of 1967. The narrative begins and ends with brief letters written in 1981. The opening letter recounts her experience at an Israeli checkpoint while riding a bus to Birzeit to collect letters from pen pals. In this opening reflection, Barakat is reluctant to answer questions about her childhood. Barakat was just over three years old when her family, living in the West Bank city of Ramallah in 1967, had to move because of the war. In addition to her mother and father, Barakat has two older brothers, Basel and Muhammad, and an infant sister Maha.
Barakat and her family fled their home to escape the Israeli bombing at the start of the war, and the narrative follows their journey to Amman, Jordan. During frequent moves to different shelters, including closed schools and homes generously shared to ease their plight, Barakat affectionately tempers the difficulties and terror of daily life with her love of Alef and Alef’s friends, the alphabet, and the education she desperately wishes to pursue.
The final section of the book is a response to the opening letter, returning the narrative to 1981. This brief letter reflects the cathartic effect of her recollection of her early childhood, a response to ideas posed in the opening letter. A poem gracefully completes the narrative.
This Kindle edition includes historical notes about the conflict. There is a list of recommended books relevant to Mideast issues, in addition to other web sites and organizations dedicated to resolving the complex issues of this difficult region.
Reviews suggest a grade level of seven and higher. The narrative provides opportunities to explore themes related to the Six Days’ War, and the larger issues pertaining to Mideast conflict. Since the narrative is eloquent and avoids extreme language, some 5th or 6th grade students may find it to be a suitable introduction to the topic. There are many rich examples of Palestinian culture, providing opportunities to explore traditions unfamiliar to some readers. There is one section pertaining to the circumcision of Basel and Muhammad that may require sensitivity to the maturity of younger readers or parental concerns.
This is an expressive memoir of the author’s experience as a child during the Six Days’ War of 1967. The narrative begins and ends with brief letters written in 1981. The opening letter recounts her experience at an Israeli checkpoint while riding a bus to Birzeit to collect letters from pen pals. In this opening reflection, Barakat is reluctant to answer questions about her childhood. Barakat was just over three years old when her family, living in the West Bank city of Ramallah in 1967, had to move because of the war. In addition to her mother and father, Barakat has two older brothers, Basel and Muhammad, and an infant sister Maha.
Barakat and her family fled their home to escape the Israeli bombing at the start of the war, and the narrative follows their journey to Amman, Jordan. During frequent moves to different shelters, including closed schools and homes generously shared to ease their plight, Barakat affectionately tempers the difficulties and terror of daily life with her love of Alef and Alef’s friends, the alphabet, and the education she desperately wishes to pursue.
The final section of the book is a response to the opening letter, returning the narrative to 1981. This brief letter reflects the cathartic effect of her recollection of her early childhood, a response to ideas posed in the opening letter. A poem gracefully completes the narrative.
This Kindle edition includes historical notes about the conflict. There is a list of recommended books relevant to Mideast issues, in addition to other web sites and organizations dedicated to resolving the complex issues of this difficult region.
Reviews suggest a grade level of seven and higher. The narrative provides opportunities to explore themes related to the Six Days’ War, and the larger issues pertaining to Mideast conflict. Since the narrative is eloquent and avoids extreme language, some 5th or 6th grade students may find it to be a suitable introduction to the topic. There are many rich examples of Palestinian culture, providing opportunities to explore traditions unfamiliar to some readers. There is one section pertaining to the circumcision of Basel and Muhammad that may require sensitivity to the maturity of younger readers or parental concerns.
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Reading Progress
January 18, 2012
– Shelved
January 19, 2012
–
Started Reading
January 19, 2012
–
Finished Reading
