{"product_id":"in-my-mothers-footsteps-mona-hajjar-halaby-9781800196124","title":"In My Mother's Footsteps: A Palestinian Refugee Returns Home | Mona Hajjar Halaby","description":"\u003cp style=\"color: #000000; font-size: 1.05rem; line-height: 1.6;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA moving and heartbreaking journey of a daughter discovering her Palestinian roots and recovering her mother's beloved past.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"color: #4a0e17; border-bottom: 2px solid #4a0e17; padding-bottom: 4px; margin-top: 24px;\"\u003eA Fifty-Nine Year Journey Home\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"color: #000000; line-height: 1.6;\"\u003eIn 1948 Jerusalem, Zakia was forced to flee the only home she had ever known as war ripped through leafy streets and bustling spice-filled souqs. Taking just one suitcase, she believed she would be able to return soon, only to realize within weeks that she was permanently barred from her homeland.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"color: #000000; line-height: 1.6;\"\u003eDecades later in 2007 California, Mona grew up immersed in her mother's vivid memories of Palestine—imagining the muezzin's call to prayer and the medley of church bells. When Mona accepted an opportunity to teach conflict resolution in Ramallah, she embarked on a personal pilgrimage to find her mother's home in militarized and occupied Jerusalem. Sustained by cherished letters from her mother detailing the winding cobblestone alleys of the Old City, Mona eventually holds her mother's hand as they finally visit Jerusalem together, witnessing a return after fifty-nine years of exile.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"color: #4a0e17; margin-top: 20px;\"\u003eKey Memoir Themes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"color: #000000; line-height: 1.6;\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical Displacement:\u003c\/strong\u003e Captures the profound personal and collective disruption of the 1948 exodus from Jerusalem.\u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIntergenerational Memory:\u003c\/strong\u003e Examines how letters, oral history, and shared stories transmit cultural identity and longing across generations.\u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReconciliation and Return:\u003c\/strong\u003e A poignant testament to family bonds, resilience, and the emotional complexity of returning to a lost homeland.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"color: #4a0e17; margin-top: 20px;\"\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"color: #000000; line-height: 1.6;\"\u003eMona Hajjar Halaby is an educator, writer, and conflict resolution specialist whose personal journey bridges California and Palestine. \u003cem\u003eIn My Mother's Footsteps\u003c\/em\u003e reflects her deep dedication to preserving family history and illuminating the enduring human realities of the Palestinian diaspora.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"color: #4a0e17; border-bottom: 2px solid #4a0e17; padding-bottom: 4px; margin-top: 28px;\"\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdetails style=\"margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 12px; border: 1px solid #dcdcdc; border-radius: 4px; background-color: #fafafa;\"\u003e\n    \u003csummary style=\"font-weight: bold; cursor: pointer; color: #4a0e17;\"\u003e1. What time period does the memoir cover?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 0; color: #000000; line-height: 1.5;\"\u003eThe narrative spans from the 1948 displacement in Jerusalem through decades of exile, culminating in Mona's journey to Ramallah and Jerusalem in 2007.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\n\u003cdetails style=\"margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 12px; border: 1px solid #dcdcdc; border-radius: 4px; background-color: #fafafa;\"\u003e\n    \u003csummary style=\"font-weight: bold; cursor: pointer; color: #4a0e17;\"\u003e2. Who are the central figures of the book?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 0; color: #000000; line-height: 1.5;\"\u003eThe memoir centers on author Mona Hajjar Halaby and her mother, Zakia, whose letters and lived memories form the emotional backbone of the return to Jerusalem.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\n\u003cdetails style=\"margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 12px; border: 1px solid #dcdcdc; border-radius: 4px; background-color: #fafafa;\"\u003e\n    \u003csummary style=\"font-weight: bold; cursor: pointer; color: #4a0e17;\"\u003e3. What narrative style does the author use?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 0; color: #000000; line-height: 1.5;\"\u003eHalaby combines memoir, historical reflection, and epistolary elements, incorporating correspondence from her mother to weave a deeply intimate narrative.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"color: #4a0e17; margin-top: 20px;\"\u003eReader Targeting\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRead This If You Enjoy...\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"color: #000000; line-height: 1.6;\"\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003ePoignant memoirs of cultural heritage, displacement, and diaspora.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eNarratives exploring Middle Eastern history, family resilience, and modern Jerusalem.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eBooks in the vein of \u003cem\u003eThe Bookseller of Kabul\u003c\/em\u003e or \u003cem\u003eThe Beekeeper of Aleppo\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"color: #4a0e17; margin-top: 20px;\"\u003eProduct Specifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; margin-top: 10px;\"\u003e\n    \u003ctbody\u003e\n        \u003ctr style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\"\u003e\n            \u003cth style=\"text-align: left; padding: 8px; color: #4a0e17; width: 35%;\"\u003eTitle\u003c\/th\u003e\n            \u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; color: #000000;\"\u003eIn My Mother's Footsteps: A Palestinian Refugee Returns Home\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\"\u003e\n            \u003cth style=\"text-align: left; padding: 8px; color: #4a0e17;\"\u003eAuthor\u003c\/th\u003e\n            \u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; color: #000000;\"\u003eMona Hajjar Halaby\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\"\u003e\n            \u003cth style=\"text-align: left; padding: 8px; color: #4a0e17;\"\u003ePublisher\u003c\/th\u003e\n            \u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; color: #000000;\"\u003eBookouture\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\"\u003e\n            \u003cth style=\"text-align: left; padding: 8px; color: #4a0e17;\"\u003ePublication Date\u003c\/th\u003e\n            \u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; color: #000000;\"\u003eMay 18, 2023\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\"\u003e\n            \u003cth style=\"text-align: left; padding: 8px; color: #4a0e17;\"\u003eEdition\u003c\/th\u003e\n            \u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; color: #000000;\"\u003eReprint Edition\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\"\u003e\n            \u003cth style=\"text-align: left; padding: 8px; color: #4a0e17;\"\u003eFormat\u003c\/th\u003e\n            \u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; color: #000000;\"\u003ePaperback (Softcover)\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\"\u003e\n            \u003cth style=\"text-align: left; padding: 8px; color: #4a0e17;\"\u003eDust Jacket\u003c\/th\u003e\n            \u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; color: #000000;\"\u003eIssued without dust jacket\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\"\u003e\n            \u003cth style=\"text-align: left; padding: 8px; color: #4a0e17;\"\u003eISBN-13\u003c\/th\u003e\n            \u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; color: #000000;\"\u003e9781800196124\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\"\u003e\n            \u003cth style=\"text-align: left; padding: 8px; color: #4a0e17;\"\u003eISBN-10\u003c\/th\u003e\n            \u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; color: #000000;\"\u003e1800196122\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\"\u003e\n            \u003cth style=\"text-align: left; padding: 8px; color: #4a0e17;\"\u003ePage Count\u003c\/th\u003e\n            \u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; color: #000000;\"\u003e320 pages\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\"\u003e\n            \u003cth style=\"text-align: left; padding: 8px; color: #4a0e17;\"\u003eDimensions\u003c\/th\u003e\n            \u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; color: #000000;\"\u003e8.5 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\"\u003e\n            \u003cth style=\"text-align: left; padding: 8px; color: #4a0e17;\"\u003eWeight\u003c\/th\u003e\n            \u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; color: #000000;\"\u003e14.1 oz\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\"\u003e\n            \u003cth style=\"text-align: left; padding: 8px; color: #4a0e17;\"\u003eLanguage\u003c\/th\u003e\n            \u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; color: #000000;\"\u003eEnglish\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\"\u003e\n            \u003cth style=\"text-align: left; padding: 8px; color: #4a0e17;\"\u003eBISAC Categories\u003c\/th\u003e\n            \u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; color: #000000;\"\u003eBIOGRAPHY \u0026amp; AUTOBIOGRAPHY \/ Cultural, Ethnic \u0026amp; Regional; HISTORY \/ Middle East \/ Palestine\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n            \u003cth style=\"text-align: left; padding: 8px; color: #4a0e17;\"\u003eCondition\u003c\/th\u003e\n            \u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; color: #000000;\"\u003ePre-Owned \/ Very Good\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003c!-- JSON-LD Schema --\u003e\n\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\/\",\n  \"@graph\": [\n    {\n      \"@type\": [\"Book\", \"Product\"],\n      \"@id\": \"https:\/\/bustdownbooks.com\/products\/in-my-mothers-footsteps-mona-hajjar-halaby-9781800196124#book\",\n      \"name\": \"In My Mother's Footsteps: A Palestinian Refugee Returns Home\",\n      \"author\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Person\",\n        \"name\": \"Mona Hajjar Halaby\"\n      },\n      \"publisher\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n        \"name\": \"Bookouture\"\n      },\n      \"datePublished\": \"2023-05-18\",\n      \"isbn\": \"9781800196124\",\n      \"gtin13\": \"9781800196124\",\n      \"sku\": \"1800196122\",\n      \"bookFormat\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\/Paperback\",\n      \"bookEdition\": \"Reprint\",\n      \"numberOfPages\": 320,\n      \"inLanguage\": \"en-US\",\n      \"countryOfOrigin\": \"United States\",\n      \"genre\": [\n        \"BIOGRAPHY \u0026 AUTOBIOGRAPHY \/ Cultural, Ethnic \u0026 Regional\",\n        \"HISTORY \/ Middle East \/ Palestine\",\n        \"Biography: historical, political \u0026 military (BMHP)\"\n      ],\n      \"description\": \"In My Mother's Footsteps: A Palestinian Refugee Returns Home (9781800196124) by Mona Hajjar Halaby is a memoir chronicling the author's journey returning to Palestine to retrace her mother's life and the deep emotional and historical legacy of displacement. 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