Mariam's Dream
The Story of Mariam Al-Shaar and Her Food Truck of Hope
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- $8.99
Publisher Description
Mariam's Dream follows real-life freedom dreamer Mariam Al-Shaar, known around the world for building Soufra, a women-run kitchen in the Bourj Al-Barajneh refugee camp in Beirut, Lebanon.
This is a story about how one woman can make a huge difference.
Once Mariam decides to start a food business in the refugee camp where she’s spent her whole life, she must see her dream through.
She will need money.
She will need the right papers.
People will tell her it’s impossible.
They will tell her not to risk it.
But with the women of the camp behind her, she is determined to make it happen.
Discover the joys of cooking, the power of community, and the flavors of Palestine, Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon in this poignant story written for anyone who has ever felt walled in and dreamed of something more.
“Food and words have long been an important part of Palestinian resistance. This uplifting picture book perfectly utilizes both while sharing a story of hope and liberation in the face of injustice.” —Hannah Moushabeck, award-winning author of Homeland: My Father Dreams of Palestine
“Bravo! Mariam’s Dream teaches young readers what resilience means and works as an excellent, supportive example for kids’ own self-empowerment. At the same time, it blows apart stereotypes of subservient Arab women and the helplessness of refugees.” —Cathy Camper, award-winning author of Ten Ways to Hear Snow, Arab Arab All Year Long!, and the Lowriders series
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY BOOK FOR CHILDREN: Founded in 1948, Bourj Al-Barajneh has housed refugees from Palestine, Syria, and Iraq. Many have lived in this camp their entire lives—including Mariam Al-Shaar. To know Mariam's story, which grabbed international attention through the award-winning documentary Soufra, is to be reminded that one person can change the world. This picture book is a perfect resource for anyone eager to learn more.
INSPIRATIONAL WOMEN: More than the story of just one woman doing something extraordinary, this is the story of a woman building and leading a community of women to share their talents, connect to their roots, and do good for their community. This moving story of one refugee and how she mobilized others is a powerful way to start conversations about displaced communities around the world.
INFORMATIVE CONTENT: As part of her research, the author traveled to Lebanon to visit Soufra and meet Mariam in person. The book includes an author's note about this research, a discussion of refugees and refugee camps, a visual glossary of all the delicious food featured, and a select bibliography for curious readers.
Perfect for:Parents and gift-givers seeking stories of inspirational womenEducators looking for books about the refugee experienceReaders eager for stories about Palestinians, their food, and their displacement around the worldAnyone seeking multicultural and diverse children’s books for classroom or home library reference
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Born in a Beirut refugee camp, Mariam Al-Shaar (b. 1972) "will never be Lebanese./ She is Palestinian but may never go to Palestine./ Mariam is the daughter of refugees—/people who live between worlds." Though the camp walls "keep her from working,/ from growing, from dreaming," she nevertheless yearns to "do something, and she knows she can't do it alone." When she reaches out to the women of her camp, they express a love of cooking, "flavors from Palestine, Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon." The result is Soufra, a women-run food business operated within the camp that slowly, facing discriminatory setbacks, expands to a food truck. Though the creators only briefly touch on Al-Shaar's childhood, Avadikian's digital images employ bright hues along with textured splashes, swirls, and waves in this work about an individual who dared "to dream of a better tomorrow." Background characters are portrayed with various skin tones. An author's note concludes. Ages 5–8.
