This book this book this book! I could not put it down. Thoughts about what would become of Waseem were a constant and this book was woven together marvellously. I love how it depicts a Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon and the steadfastness of the Palestinian people displaced from their land and yet bound to it, inextricably, nonetheless. There is also disability representation in here as well and I thought it was overall well done. One aspect of it that I found especially well done was how the author depicted Waseem’s family depriving him of the autonomy to choose how he lived and what happened to his body. It really is emblematic of the continued marginalization of disabled people and reemphasizes the need to promote the self-determination of disabled people, and to reject their infantilization. So many thoughts of this book and I loved it!

Fair warning, you will need tissues while ready this book.
Waseem is the main character that is living with inability to walk or move his tongue well. He struggles with his disabilities that are made even more difficult due to the fact the he's living in a Palestinian camp in Lebanon. Life in that camp is brutal at times and it was hard to read. But there was also beauty and laughter in Waseem's life. His friendship with Ameena is his anchor and the two of them share a lovely dream of going back to their homeland. The writing in this novel was rich and colorful, and the characters were fully fleshed out with their own distinct voices.

This is one of the most hopeful things I've read all year.

Waseem has a disability due to which he can barely walk or talk, and he's stuck in this crowded Palestinian camp in Lebanon. His best friend Ameena is basically the opposite of everything you'd expect. She neither pities him nor walks on eggshells around him. She's actually kind of a smartass, which makes their friendship feel so real. They spend their days dreaming about Palestine, this place they've never been but somehow feel like home.

There are parts of the story that'll wreck you. Life in the camp is brutal. But Taha somehow manages to show you all these tiny moments of joy that just exist alongside the pain. Like when Waseem's making sarcastic comments about the camp drama, or when Ameena's teasing him about something ridiculous. It reminded me that people find ways to laugh even when everything sucks.

The writing doesn't feel like it's trying too hard, which makes this an easy and enjoyable read. Taha just tells you what's happening without getting all preachy about politics. Sure, the situation is messed up, but she's more interested in showing you who these people actually are. Waseem's story is indeed one of determination and transformation. By the end, I was completely invested in these characters and their impossible dream.

If you like books about family dynamics, community, friendship, sacrifice, resilience, and healing that don't sugar-coat reality but also don't leave you totally depressed, definitely check this out.