Nine-year old Mohammed, a Palestinian-American, is trying to navigate his way through his first week at a new school in a new city. He’s dealing with bullies and the intense curiosity of his classmates. At the same time he makes friends with another boy facing the same challenges and together they strategize their survival at school. Meanwhile, at home, Mohammad’s grandmother Sitti sees her grandchildren struggling to adapt. She decides to help them by sharing the story of her youth, growing up in Jerusalem and then a refugee camp in Bethlehem before coming to the United States. This is a heartwarming story of burgeoning cultural awareness and gaining a sense pride for family heritage amid the trials and travails of middle school life in America.
Being the new kid is always hard, but try starting the year with a name like Mohammed Omar Mohammed Abu Srour, with a homemade lunch of humus and za’atar. On top of that, on the very first day of school, a kid tells his older hijab-wearing sister to “go back where you came from.” Mohammed and his sister love their grandmother, but she thinks her stories about life in Palestine will help them with their problems. What does Grandmother’s ancient history have to do with classroom bullies? She never learned to read and Mohammed can’t even find Palestine on a map. Feels like fourth grade’s going to last forever.
Brenda –
From The Arab American National Museum Book Award Readers/Judges:
“Old Enough to Know” by Alice Rothchild is a powerful and compelling book that sheds light on the Palestinian experience and gives voice to those who have been displaced by war. Through a collection of moving personal stories, Rothchild skillfully weaves together narratives that educate, heal, and advocate for justice. Her well-developed characters humanize the conflict in the Middle East providing a platform to share stories and experiences. By giving voice to Palestinians and others affected by war, Rothchild helps readers empathize with the struggles and challenges faced by these communities. While highlighting the longing and desire to return to their native land, Rothchild highlights the racism and discrimination Arab American and immigrants face as they work to start new lives in a new country all the while trying to preserve their own language, food, culture, and identities.
“Old Enough to Know” serves as an important contribution to Arab American literature highlighting the diverse perspectives and voices within the community. Through storytelling, Rothchild breaks down stereotypes and misconceptions, fostering understanding and compassion among readers and amplifying the voices of those whose history has been forcibly rewritten and at times deliberately erased.
“Old Enough to Know” is a much-needed book that educates and heals through the power of storytelling. It is a compelling and insightful read that sheds light on the complexities of the Palestinian experience and contributes to a deeper understanding of the human cost of war and colonization. This book should be placed on the shelves of libraries and bookshelves everywhere. It serves as a reminder to all readers of the need for acceptance, understanding, and peace and the importance of learning from history. of the impacts of war and colonialism and to anyone interested in learning more about Palestine and the resilience of the Palestinian people.