Against the Tide
Will be published approx. on 9. February 2027
Book
Hardback
104 pages
978-1-64421-566-1 (ISBN)
Description
A young Palestinian girl supports her family by becoming the first ever fisherwoman in Gaza in this uplifting middle grade novel about finding courage in the face of adversity.
Inspired by a true story--perfect for readers of Other Words for Home, A Long Walk to Water, Amina's Voice, and Persepolis.
Against the Tide follows fifteen-year-old Yusra, whose family is changed forever after the death of her older brother by an Israeli missile, and the collapse of a tunnel between Gaza and Egypt, which leaves her father permanently wheelchair-bound.
For a long time, Yusra is forced to beg for handouts from neighbors, but with the encroaching restrictions of an occupied Gaza, Yusra reaches a breaking point. Soon, an idea comes to her: to fix up her father’s fishing boat and take up his line of work. She becomes the first and only fisherwoman in Gaza, where she must abide by the rules imposed on their trade.
One day, when Yusra accidentally goes past the designated three-mile zone where she is allowed to fish, she encounters the Israeli navy. She must stand up for herself and negotiate a peaceful solution. Based on the true story of a young Palestinian girl named Madelein Callab, Against the Tide is not only a middle grade story of resilience, but also a lesson on how the courage of one person can transform the world. Includes illustrations by Palestinian artist Aya Ghanemeh.
Inspired by a true story--perfect for readers of Other Words for Home, A Long Walk to Water, Amina's Voice, and Persepolis.
Against the Tide follows fifteen-year-old Yusra, whose family is changed forever after the death of her older brother by an Israeli missile, and the collapse of a tunnel between Gaza and Egypt, which leaves her father permanently wheelchair-bound.
For a long time, Yusra is forced to beg for handouts from neighbors, but with the encroaching restrictions of an occupied Gaza, Yusra reaches a breaking point. Soon, an idea comes to her: to fix up her father’s fishing boat and take up his line of work. She becomes the first and only fisherwoman in Gaza, where she must abide by the rules imposed on their trade.
One day, when Yusra accidentally goes past the designated three-mile zone where she is allowed to fish, she encounters the Israeli navy. She must stand up for herself and negotiate a peaceful solution. Based on the true story of a young Palestinian girl named Madelein Callab, Against the Tide is not only a middle grade story of resilience, but also a lesson on how the courage of one person can transform the world. Includes illustrations by Palestinian artist Aya Ghanemeh.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Seven Stories Press,U.S.
Target group
Children/juvenile
US School Grade: Fifth Grade and over, Interest Age: From 10 years
Product notice
sewn/stitched
Cloth over boards
Illustrations
5-7 DRAWINGS
Dimensions
Height: 210 mm
Width: 140 mm
Weight
567 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-64421-566-1 (9781644215661)
Copyright in bibliographic data is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or its licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Taghreed Najjar is a Palestinian-Jordanian author of over 50 books for children and young adults. She has been awarded the Etisalat Prize for Arabic Children’s Literature, and was shortlisted three times. She is also the founder of Dar al-Salwa publishing house.
Elisabeth Jaquette is a translator from Arabic. She is the Executive Director of Words Without Borders and former Executive Director of the American Literary Translators Association. Her work has been nominated for the Booker International Prize, National Book Award, Warwick Prize for Women in Translation, TA First Translation Prize, and Best Translated Book Award.
Aya Ghanameh is a Palestinian illustrator, writer, and designer from Amman, Jordan. She is the author/illustrator of the picture book, These Olive Trees (Viking Books, 2023), and the illustrator of Dear Muslim Child by Rahma Roodah (Balzer + Bray, 2024), and Everything Grows in Jiddo's Garden by Jenan A. Matari (Interlink, 2025). Aya graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design and works as a designer for a U.S. children's book publisher.
Elisabeth Jaquette is a translator from Arabic. She is the Executive Director of Words Without Borders and former Executive Director of the American Literary Translators Association. Her work has been nominated for the Booker International Prize, National Book Award, Warwick Prize for Women in Translation, TA First Translation Prize, and Best Translated Book Award.
Aya Ghanameh is a Palestinian illustrator, writer, and designer from Amman, Jordan. She is the author/illustrator of the picture book, These Olive Trees (Viking Books, 2023), and the illustrator of Dear Muslim Child by Rahma Roodah (Balzer + Bray, 2024), and Everything Grows in Jiddo's Garden by Jenan A. Matari (Interlink, 2025). Aya graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design and works as a designer for a U.S. children's book publisher.