Visits to the Middle East – book for grades 7+?

One good source for things like this is Nancy Pearl’s Book Lust To Go, which has books for different countries.  Excellent resource.  You do have to read the descriptions, sift a little, and look over a choice for appropriateness as she was not exactly writing for the homeschool mom, but it’s a terrific little book that has given me lots of ideas that turned out well.  Here are some books from the Middle East I’ve particularly liked, although I’d recommend looking them over if handing to a pretty young teen: Jasmine and Fire, A Bittersweet Year in Beirut by Salma Albednour; I also have read and liked The Dressmaker of Khair Khana; Day of Honey; A Memoir of Food, Love, and War is excellent but there is some language towards the end–I mentioned it in my review of the book but can’t remember the specific words.  Author is Anna Ciezadlo.  The Places In Between by Rory Stewart is about the author’s travels on foot in Afghanistan; it is really very good!  My Father’s Paradise:  A Son’s Search for His Jewish Past in Iraq by Ariel Sabar was very, very good if a little bit odd (he recreates or reimagines conversations between his ancestors.)  I have a LOT of books on Iran if that is part of the region, and also a few books from Israel/Palestine that I read to get a broader sense of perspective.  I also have a thing for Armenian massacre stories.  So if you want anything along those three lines also, let me know!

Even After All This Time:  A Story of Love, Revolution, and Leaving Iran by Afschineh Latifi

Journey from the Land of No:  A Girlhood Caught in Revolutionary Iran by Roya Hakakian (a Jewish girl, different perspective from the others)

Saffron Sky:  A Life Between Iran and America by Gelerah Asayesh

Lipstick Jihad:  A Memoir of Growing Up Iranian in America and American in Iran by Azadi Moaveni (I did not like this one quite as well as the other three; some descriptions of parties and a few other things that are less appropriate.)

The Good Daughter: A Memoir of My Mother’s Hidden Life by Jasmin Darznik

Funny in Farsi:  A Memoir of Growing Up Iranian in America , Firoozeh Dumas.  This one takes place less in Iran than many of the others, but it is a fun and delightful read anyway

I don’t know that I’d recommend it for young girls, but I avoided Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi for years just because of the reference to Lolita, a book I will never ever read.  But I’m glad I did finally read it; it did have a discussion of this book, much of which I skipped, but there was a lot more in here that was worthwhile

To See and See Again: A Life in Iran and America by Tara Bahrampour

Neither East Nor West:  One Woman’s Journey Through the Islamic Republic of Iran by Christiane Bird

In case you think I’m totally nuts for reading all these, well, I suppose I might be.  It’s one of my “fascinating spots”–reading stories of women who have lived in both Iran and the west.  Can’t really explain it.  

Armenian:

Not Even My Name:A True Story by Thea Halo

Children of Armenia:  A Forgotten Genocide and the Century-long Struggle for Justice by Michael Bobelian.  This was good but more of a composite account; a broader picture than Not Even My Name but less readable and personal.

Christie,

I would love to know some of your lists for the younger forms when you finish compiling them. We are finishing up the Visits to Africa series in our co-op this year. While we haven’t voted on exactly which region we’ll be covering next year, I have started compiling some resources for the SCM Middle East tract with hopes that we’ll select that module. All our kids are 6th grade and younger, so we aren’t in the position of needing associated books for the older ages. We did end up using some additional living books for the Africa module, so I know it would be helpful to know what you all come up for the Middle East. I have a feeling you’ll have your plans in place before we do. We won’t start planning until May/June for next year. Thank you for the consideration.

since it has not been mentioned yet, i will add The Road from Home: the story of an Armenian Girl  by David Kherdian.  it has been awhile since i read it (Newberry Honor book) but it was my first introduction that an armenian massacre had ever happened. never learned about that in school!:)  anyway, well written, personal, true biography about the author’s mother’s childhood in Turkey pre-massacre and until she finally came to America in the 1920’s as a young women. I found it fascinating..probably some intense scenes ( i honestly dont remember)…i read it as a young adult.

Christie,

Thank you! I’ll definitely pass on our syllabus when we create it. We paired the mapping exercises with a rap song this last year, but I don’t know if that is something you would consider doing in your co-op or not. I’ve already found a few possible songs to add as a supplement. I’ll send you my Pinterest board when I add some more things to it. I do a lot of brainstorming on there.