MARIAM'S DREAM

The catering company Soufra is born when a Palestinian refugee dreams of a way to empower women.

Mariam al-Shaar was born in Lebanon, but she isn’t a citizen—she is a generational refugee, born to Palestinian parents. She and the others who live in their Beirut camp have little work, little say, and little hope. But Mariam dreams of more. Together with the women of her community, she decides to create a kitchen where people can come to cook meals from their home countries and earn a living. As her business grows, so do Mariam’s ambitions of owning a food truck, but the challenges she faces as a refugee with few rights feel as imposing as the walls that surround her. Unbroken and unintimidated, Mariam fights for two years for the legal right to share the food of Soufra outside her camp. Though Boukarim doesn’t entirely clarify how Mariam succeeds, her account is a stirring one, demonstrating that one person can truly make a difference with the power of perseverance. Avedikian’s digitally created illustrations are colorful and full of movement, capturing the forward momentum of Mariam’s aspirations for a better future for those around her. An author’s note, information about refugees and refugee camps, and a bibliography offer readers the opportunity to learn more, while a beautiful visual food glossary spotlights the featured dishes.

Uplifting and highly inspirational.