HABIBI by Naomi Shihab Nye

Nye, N. S. Habibi. New York: Simon & Schuster. 1997. ISBN 0689801491.

Naomi Shihab Nye is an Arab-American and has written a beautiful story with the authenticity of her own autobiographical experiences. Protagonist Liyana and her family move from St Louis, MO, USA, to her father’s homeland, Jerusalem, at a pivotal time in her adolescence.  Feeling very much a stranger in a strange land, Liyana must adjust to a new home, new friends, new food and new family that she cannot even communicate with because of a new language.  The political climate and new customs create huge and sometimes dangerous challenges.   For example, her father informs her that she will have no need for short shorts in her new homeland.  She also learns that dating and kissing have a whole new set of rules.  She frets, “With her luck she had been born into the only nonkissing culture, just when it started feeling like a valuable activity.” (Page 57)  If male/female relationships are not different enough in the two cultures, complications ensue when she begins a young romance with a Jewish boy at a time when Jewish and Palestinian relations are precarious to say the least. 

Nye infuses the story thoroughly with the sights, sounds, and smells of one who has lived in The West Bank at just the same age as Liyana.  Additionally she shares the feelings Liyana experiences with such a masterful use of imagery and economy of words that I immediately recognized Nye’s poetic expertise.  At times I felt like I was reading a verse novel.  Most chapters are very short and uniquely titled, and many begin with a quote or line of poetry.  

I appreciated very much seeing modern Jerusalem through Nye’s story, especially as I am hoping to see Jerusalem for myself this coming July.  Coincidentally, I also drove through St Louis for the first time three days ago.  I appreciated the fair-handedness Nye gives to each culture-- American, Arab, Israeli-- not vilifying any, yet not holding back on the violence, cruelty, prejudice, and injustice that must be faced within every individual.  Members of each culture are presented as human beings who would like to live in peace.  The overriding hope that I came away with after reading, is that peace is possible though one bridging relationship at a time.

Habibi has been deservedly recognized and awarded numerous times.  You will find Habibi on prestigious lists for these awards: ALA Best Book for Young Adults, ALA Notable Children’s Book, Jane Addams Book Award, and Texas Institute of Letters Best Book for Young Readers, to name a few.

Nye is also very well known for her work in the poetry world and has won numerous awards for her own poetry as well as the promotion of multicultural poetry.  She is a living example of bridge-building between cultures by using her unique heritage to be a peacemaker, spokesperson, and enthusiast for multicultural understanding.  I would recommend this book for young teens and for anyone who seeks peace and understanding with all people.  School Library Journal claims, “Habibi succeeds in making the hope for peace compellingly personal and concrete.”  I would add my Amen to that.