Project Reflection

I think that overall, this set of texts represents Arabs in a positive and diversified way. Each of the books has a different theme, but I think a main theme that relates all of them is the idea of family. Especially the three books “Sami and the Time of the Troubles,” “Sitti’s Secrets” and “Magid Fasts for Ramadan.” Each of these stories, although about completely different things, all relates to the importance of family in the Arab culture. Other themes that cross all of these selections are bravery, generosity, love and faith. I think that all of the books represent Arabs, no matter what religion they practice, as people who face struggles but who are positive and strong through these struggles. Also, with all of the religious turmoil happening in the Middle East, I was happy to feel that when I was reading these stories, they did not focus on religion necessarily. “Magid Fasts for Ramadan” and “Muhammad” are both clearly to inform the reader about Islam, but they do not do so in a way that “promotes” a certain religion as being better, or the “right” one. Although from context you can guess or possibly figure out what religion the characters are in the other three books, the text does not specifically mention it. This allows the reader to see the bigger theme of a positive look at the Arab culture and its people, rather than trying to make a religious statement or blame the underlying problems of what the characters are going through in these stories on religion. All of these texts are engaging and are accompanied by beautiful pictures that help the reader to visual what life might be like in the Middle East. The article that I found compliments the texts well, and I think that the criteria that was mentioned for picking good Arab literature was found in these books.

I would consider myself somewhat of an insider because of certain experiences that I have had due to my Lebanese heritage. Reading these books, especially “Sitti’s Secrets” literally made me smile in parts because I found them so easy to relate to. I never had these experiences with Arab literature growing up, but it is definitely something that I want to give my future students. I want books in my classroom that will help them relate to their own culture or identity. I would put any of these stories in my future classroom to share with students because I think in somehow, all of these books represent the Arab people and Arab culture in a very positive and teachable way.