Balcony on the Moon

Balcony on the Moon: Coming of Age in Palestine by Ibtisam Barakat is a memoir picking up where Tasting the Sky left off, although this is a stand alone book. It follows her through her adolescence in Palestine from 1972-1981 as she dreams of being a writer and helps her mother pursue her dream of graduating from high school.

This is a wonderful look into a culture not often represented in literature. Barakat is determined to follow her dreams despite all the adversity facing her and her family and all displaced Palestinians. A great read.

Elsewhere, Home

Elsewhere, Home is a collection of short stories by one of my favorite African authors, Leila Aboulela,  Aboulela writes with experience about Muslim immigrants from Sudan and Egypt living abroad in Scotland and London and the challenges that they face, the longing for home which never really goes away.

Beautifully realized, these are stories that will help bridge the gap between very different cultures. A great read that couldn't be more timely.

Light From Other Stars

Light From Other Stars by Erika Swyler is a wonderful novel about a young girl growing up in a small Florida town, watching Space Shuttles launch and determined to go into space herself one day. Both her parents are scientists and her father is working on an invention that will have ramifications for the whole town.

Traveling back in forth in time and space, Swyler has crafted a fantastic story about the relationship between parents and their children, the responsibility and accountability of science, the joy and wonder of the unknown, as well as an exploration of friendship, love, loss and grief.

An awe-filled adventure for those willing to suspend their disbelief and enjoy the ride.