“A Map for Falasteen” by Maysa Odeh explores family, heritage, and the meaning of home

Picture Book • Heritage • Family • Identity • Cultural Pride

Author: Maysa Odeh

Illustrator: Aliaa Betawi

Genre: Picture book/ realistic fiction

Recommended Ages: 4 - 8

Summary:

Falasteen, a young Palestinian-American girl, loves maps. When her teacher asks each student to find their family’s country on a classroom map, she eagerly searches for hers—but Falasteen cannot find Falasteen. Confused and curious, she begins to wonder: “Can a place exist if it isn’t on the map?”

At home, she turns to her family for answers. Her grandfather tells her stories of olive trees that once shaded their village. Her grandmother describes the scent of jasmine drifting through open windows. Her mother speaks of memories, resilience, and the beauty that endures even when borders change. Through these stories, Falasteen begins to understand that her homeland is not defined by lines on a map, but by the people, traditions, and love that live within her.

With lyrical text and luminous illustrations, A Map for Falasteen takes readers on a gentle yet powerful journey through memory, displacement, and belonging. It is both a child’s discovery of identity and a universal reflection on what it means to carry home within you.

Why A Map for Falasteen Matters:

This book is deeply significant—both culturally and emotionally.

• Representation and Visibility: Few picture books center Palestinian voices, especially for younger readers. A Map for Falasteen gives children of Palestinian heritage a story in which they can see themselves and their families represented with dignity, warmth, and pride.

• Identity and Belonging: For all children, Falasteen’s journey opens conversations about identity, diaspora, and the many ways “home” can be defined. It helps young readers understand that maps can tell one version of a story, but not the whole one.

• Cultural Literacy: Through the perspectives of three generations, the book introduces young readers to Palestinian culture—its landscapes, foods, family ties, and traditions—in an age-appropriate, humanizing way.

• Social-Emotional Learning: The narrative gently guides children to think about empathy, heritage, and resilience. It’s an ideal resource for classrooms and libraries aiming to nurture global awareness and inclusivity.

• Intergenerational Storytelling: The family’s dialogue shows how history and identity are passed down through stories, not just geography—an important message for children navigating multiple cultures or family histories.

In a world where some stories are missing from maps and curricula, A Map for Falasteen is an essential reminder that places live on through memory, language, and love. It encourages young readers to listen, to ask, and to see that home is something we carry—no matter where we are.

My Thoughts:

A Map for Falasteen is one of those rare picture books that feels both tender and monumental. I was struck by how Maysa Odeh balances honesty with hope. The story begins with a simple classroom moment—a child searching for her homeland on a map—and grows into a layered reflection on memory, belonging, and the power of family storytelling.

This book invites readers to slow down and listen. The author doesn’t shy away from difficult questions, yet the narrative remains gentle enough for young readers to engage with. Aliaa Betawi’s art captures both the ache of displacement and the beauty of home remembered through color, texture, and light.

For librarians, A Map for Falasteen offers a meaningful opportunity to expand cultural representation in collections. It fosters empathy and awareness while giving space to Palestinian identity—an area still underrepresented in children’s literature. Most importantly, it reminds us that every child deserves to find their story somewhere on the library shelves, even if their country isn’t always found on the map.

Themes:

Identity and Belonging

• Falasteen’s journey reflects every child’s desire to understand where they come from.

• The story gently shows that identity is shaped by family, memory, and culture—not only geography.

Home and Displacement

• The question “Can a place exist if it’s not on a map?” becomes a metaphor for home that lives in the heart.

• The book explores how people carry their homeland within them, even when borders or politics erase it from maps.

Family and Intergenerational Storytelling

• Grandparents and parents pass down memories, traditions, and love through stories.

• Oral storytelling becomes a bridge that connects generations and preserves culture.

Representation and Visibility

• Highlights the importance of seeing Palestinian stories in children’s literature.

• Offers visibility to a culture often absent from mainstream books, helping all children learn empathy and respect.

Maps, Memory, and Perspective

• Encourages critical thinking about how maps are created and whose stories they tell.

• Teaches young readers that history and belonging can’t always be captured in lines and labels.

Resilience and Hope

• Despite loss and displacement, the family’s love and pride remain constant.

• The tone is hopeful, showing children that heritage can be a source of strength and joy.

Why this book is important for Diversity and Inclusion:

A Map for Falasteen is a deeply meaningful picture book that uplifts Palestinian identity, culture, and storytelling at a time when representation is especially vital. It honors family heritage, land, language, and memory in a way that gives Palestinian children a loving, dignified mirror of their experiences. For students new to this perspective, the book provides an empathetic window into a culture often misunderstood or absent in children’s literature. Odeh’s story encourages compassion, curiosity, and respect for global narratives, showing young readers that every culture deserves to be seen, valued, and understood.

Library Integration:

This book also aligns with AASL Standards under “Include” and “Explore,” supporting lessons that encourage students to recognize diverse perspectives and appreciate stories from around the world.

Programming Ideas for Librarians:

• Storytime Connection: Read aloud and invite children to mark where their families or favorite foods come from on a large map—then discuss how we can feel at home in more than one place.

• Map of Home Display: Create a collaborative art wall where students draw or write about what “home” means to them.

• Family Heritage Week: Pair the book with an event encouraging families to share objects, recipes, or photos that connect to their heritage.

• Book Talk Prompt: “What if your home wasn’t on the map—how would you keep its memory alive?”

In every way, A Map for Falasteen reminds librarians that the stories on our shelves can help children see themselves and understand others. It’s a quiet but powerful tool for empathy, identity development, and cultural inclusion

Librarian Reflection:

Reading A Map for Falasteen reminded me how deeply children’s books can hold entire worlds within just a few pages. Maysa Odeh has created a story that speaks softly, yet stays with you long after you close the cover. As a future librarian, I was struck by how the story begins with something so simple—a child searching for her homeland on a classroom map—and grows into a tender exploration of identity, memory, and belonging.

This book made me think about the importance of representation in our libraries. Every child deserves to find a story that reflects who they are, and A Map for Falasteen gives Palestinian children—and children of any background navigating identity—a place on the shelf. It also helps other readers see that “home” can mean much more than a point on a map or globe.

The illustrations by Aliaa Betawi are filled with warmth and emotion—sun-washed colors, olive branches, and family moments that feel alive with love. Together, the text and art remind us that even when borders are erased, stories endure.

For me, A Map for Falasteen is more than a book—it’s an invitation. It calls us to honor every child’s story, to listen when they ask questions, and to ensure that the world they see in the library reflects the beauty and complexity of the one they live in.