In-Person and Virtual Book Event: "Ida in the Middle," A Young Adult Novel About Palestine by Nora Lester Murad

Sunday, November 13, 2022
2:30 PM 4:30 PM 14:30 16:30

Palestine Museum US 1764 Litchfield Turnpike, Suite 200 Woodbridge, CT, 06525 United States (map)

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Please click here to register for this event.
This is a Hybrid Event, meaning you can attend virtually via Zoom or, in-person, at the Palestine Museum US, in Woodbridge, CT, USA. You can register on Zoom and decide later how you want to attend.
Doors open at 2:00; the program begins at 2:30 PM US EDT; 9:30 PM Palestine Time.

Author Nora Lester Murad will be on site at the Palestine Museum US to talk about the book and sign copies for buyers.

About the Book
Join this discussion about challenges Palestinians face in US schools with Palestinian educators Luma Hasan, Sawsan Jaber, and Mona Mustafa, followed by a book signing by author Nora Lester Murad, whose novel, “Ida in the Middle,” addresses the themes of belonging, place and voice, including in schools.

Palestine is taboo in many US schools, harming the identity development of Palestinian students, undermining the professional efficacy of Palestinian teachers, and cheating non-Palestinian students out of information and understanding they need to relate across lines of difference and act as constructive US and global citizens. Those committed to teaching Palestine in schools, both Palestinian and non-Palestinian need community support, professional development, quality curricular materials and excellent fiction and nonfiction books that resonate with kids.

Nora learned about the challenges facing Palestinian students and teachers while researching her young adult novel. She decided to use the book launch to spearhead conversations about teaching Palestine, and to cooperate with educators to develop tools and resources to support teaching. One resource is a 6-week curriculum using “Ida in the Middle” in social studies and English classes. Another is a framework to help librarians and teachers evaluate books involving Palestine. Nora continues to identify and develop teaching resources, which she shares on the book’s website at www.idainthemiddle.com.

This conversation among an expert group of professional Palestinian educators grew from this research and advocacy. Join us for a discussion about the experience of Palestinian students and teachers in US schools. Learn about the wide range of resources being developed to support teaching about Palestine and how allies can help uplift Palestinian books and narratives in schools.

About Author
Nora Lester Murad is a writer, educator and activist who married in to a Palestinian family and raised three daughters in Jerusalem and Ramallah. Her young adult novel, “Ida in the Middle,” (Crocodile/Interlink) is about a Palestinian-American girl’s search for belonging and her political voice (see www.idainthemiddle.com). Nora co-authored “Rest in My Shade” and edited “I Found Myself in Palestine” (both from Interlink). While living in Palestine, Nora co-founded Dalia Association, Palestine’s community foundation, and Aid Watch Palestine, an aid accountability initiative. She now lives in Massachusetts where she organizes around the teaching of Palestine in schools, among other social justice issues, and teaches international humanitarian affairs. Nora is a policy member of Al-Shabaka, The Palestinian Policy Network and posts her writing at www.noralestermurad.com.

About the Panelists
Luma Hasan is a Palestinian-American activist, New Jersey public schools Social Studies educator, and curriculum specialist. For over 7 years she has been teaching and providing curriculum and professional development resources centered around anti-bias, anti-racist, liberation and decolonizing frameworks. She has also led and facilitated student-centered youth participatory action research programs throughout Central Jersey. To fuel the fight for solidarity and collective liberation, Luma is also an avid baker, plant collector, and DIY enthusiast.

Dr. Sawsan Jaber, a global educator with over 20 years of experience, currently teaches English at East Leyden High School in Franklin Park, IL. As founder of Education Unfiltered Consulting, Sawsan works with schools around the country on curriculum mapping, strategic planning, custom tailoring a social justice curriculum for schools, and anti-bias training. She is the Board Director of Our Voice Alliance (OVA), which is charged with amplifying the voices of teachers of color to create more equity for students of color, and is a founder of the Arab American Education Network (AAEN). Sawsan’s research focuses on engaging students in equity work and advocating for Arab and Muslim students.

Mona Mustafa is a Palestinian educator born in the United States. A graduate of Rutgers University, she majored in political science and international affairs with a concentration in Middle Eastern studies. She went on to become a certified teacher through Rutgers University’s Urban Teacher Education Program. Mona has been a teacher for the past ten years working primarily in Alghazaly High School , a private Islamic school based in Wayne, New Jersey. This summer she taught in the “I Know I Can” Summer Academy at Ramallah Friends School in Palestine. She is currently working as a high school teacher of history and Arabic language and culture in Paterson, New Jersey.