DisplacedIn this gripping and eye-opening novel, two Syrian refugee teens trying to make a living on the street corners of Beirut must decide how far they’re willing to go to make a home for their family in an unwelcoming country. Thirteen-year-old Hadi Toma and his family are displaced. At least that’s what the Lebanese government calls them and the thousands of other Syrian refugees that have flooded into Beirut. But as Hadi tries to earn money to feed his family by selling gum on the street corner, he learns that many people who travel the city don’t think they’re displaced—they think that they don’t belong in this country either. Each day he hears insults, but each day he convinces himself they don’t matter, approaching the cars again and again. He hardly dares to dream anymore that this might change. But then Hadi meets Malek, who has been instructed to work on the same corner. Malek, who talks about going to school and becoming an engineer. But Malek is new to the streets, and Kamal, the man who oversees many of the local street vendors, tells Malek he must work the corner…alone. And people who don’t follow Kamal’s orders don’t last long. Now Hadi is forced to make a choice between engaging in illegal activities or letting his family starve. Can the boys find a way out of their impossible situation, or will the dream of something greater than their harsh realities remain stubbornly out of reach? |
Contents
Section 1 | 87 |
Section 2 | 112 |
Section 3 | 135 |
Section 4 | 159 |
Section 5 | 205 |
Section 6 | 216 |
Section 7 | 240 |
Section 8 | 241 |
Section 9 | 246 |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
Aliya asked Baba Beirut better bought brothers called cars corner cross DEAN HUGHES DISPLACED don’t drivers drugs everything eyes face father feel felt finally Garo gave give Hadi knew Hadi’s hand happen hard head heard hope hospital idea intersection It’s Kamal keep Khaled knew laughed leave live looked Malek Mama morning mother moved never night nodded pain pounds pulled rain Rashid reached Risers Samir seemed sell side sisters sitting smiled someone sometimes sorry sound stand started stay stepped stopped street sure Syrian talk tell Thank things thought thousand told took tried trouble trying turned understand usual voice waited walked watched woman wondered worried worse