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Habibi Audiobook
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(3.01) - 1,040 listener ratings
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For 14-year-old Liyana Abboud, life in St. Louis, Missouri is perfect. She loves shopping in the nearby stores and walking down streets where she knows everyone. Even better, she has just had her first kiss. But her father is moving the family to Jerusalem-the land where he was born. Suddenly Liyana finds herself a stranger in a threatening world. Shopkeepers bargain in odd-sounding languages, soldiers roam the neighborhoods with guns, and kissing in public can be downright dangerous. At home with her family she is still Habibi-Precious. But to everyone else, she is only a half-American, half-Arab nobody. As the days stretch into months, Liyana wonders if she will ever find a place in her father's mixed-up homeland. Naomi Shihab Nye's richly poetic prose won a Jane Addams Book Award and was an American Bookseller "Pick of the Lists." Christina Moore's moving performance will make listeners laugh and cry-and view the world from a whole new perspective.
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"How I wish I could write like this... she even mentioned Diane Ackerman's Natural History of the Senses - clinching that this was a book for me. This and Zazoo are definitely my favorite books of late. Beautiful and unusual, Habibi and Zazoo each capture such unique, strong, rich personalities - both of character and place. Ah - and the theme/element of poetry is important in each... There is a quote on the back of the cover from the New York Times review which says "Gives a reader all the sweet richness of a Mediterranean dessert." Hard to say it better."
— Nikki (5 out of 5 stars)
Habibi Listener Reviews
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" This book begins somewhat slowly and seems predictable at first, but it introduces the reader to a side of the Middle East not seen in the media or in textbooks. Students will learn such facts as the difference between an Arab and a Palestinian, and about the complexities of the relationships they share with one another and their homeland. The story is told from a very unique perspective in that the main character has lived her entire life in America before her family moves to Israel. "
— Kristyan, 2/20/2014 -
" Could have been good had I not have to have done dialectical notes for every page. "
— Emma, 1/20/2014 -
" it was a boring book but that's just my opinion>>> "
— JACLYN☻☺☻☺☻☺☻☺☻♥♥♥, 1/9/2014 -
" I wouldn't recommend Habibi to those who don't like boring or just chill books, but enjoy adventures, mysteries, violence, romance, etc, then, no, I would not recommend this book. When I first saw this book, I thought, not really knowing what the word 'Habibi' meant, this would be another one of those violent books. But something about this word told me that I shouldn't have bad feelings, which I didn't. The main characters girl is Liyana, a 14 year old girl who transitions from one place to another smoothly. What I mean by the word 'smoothly' is Liyana's family had an ironic move which means moving to another country. Well, Liyana refuses to move but is forced to, with her family, however, she doesn't find her new "place" horrible. If you're wondering why I put quotes around the word "place", the book will show you what I mean, but all readers have different opinions so don't mark my words. "
— Luna, 12/30/2013 -
" It gave a good message, i suppose, but her poems are so much better, and i have read far better books. "
— Veronica, 11/11/2013 -
" This is one of the most boring books i have ever read, itis also in the BOB list. "
— 15chiavh1, 11/10/2013 -
" If your looking for a good book this is the book for you! This book is about a Liyanna and her family moving from America to another country to live by her fathers family. This book is also about how a war is going on by their new home and how she struggles throughout the story and her and her family's journey. Hope you enjoy the book! "
— Amanda, 11/8/2013 -
" Beautifully written in rich, poetic detail. I thought this was a wonderfully mature and thoughtful young-adult novel that effectively explored themes such as political conflict, love, family and bi-culturalism. "
— Tahira, 11/3/2013 -
" Great story, great view of the culture. "
— Caroline, 10/15/2013 -
" Read this for a school report! It wasn't that bad... "
— Natalie, 8/16/2013 -
" This was okay. A cute story set against a backdrop that's important to read about. It was okay, quiet, but not really my thing, so I won't be reading it again. "
— Odette, 5/15/2013 -
" I love this book. It describes the emotions of a girl who comes from from two totally different backgrounds. She lives in the US and has to move to Israel. Beautifully written. "
— Meghna, 1/21/2013 -
" This is a beautifully written, sweet story. The writing alone is like poetry! "
— Naomi, 9/21/2012 -
" Fun and interesting book that shares open minded accepting attitudes and ways of life. Other than the ending, I really liked the book. Worth reading for sure. "
— Collette, 7/9/2012 -
" really interesting perspective of a a Arab-American girl who moves to Jerusalem with her family. Loved the narrator's voice. A little disappointed in the ending,but I'm not sure why. A must read for anyone who likes YA fiction. "
— Katie, 5/22/2012 -
" i meet tha author an i luv the book tha beginning and ending is tha best in my opinion. "
— Ciara, 1/1/2012 -
" I did not have a chose to read Habibi. It was required for 6th grade english. Habibi was ok, just not entirely interesting. "
— Miranda, 4/16/2011 -
" Could have been good had I not have to have done dialectical notes for every page. "
— Emma, 4/14/2011 -
" I think this book showed me a new view of the side to be an "immigrant" in another country. <br/>The characters were easy to understand and to interpret. "
— Luise.neukirch, 3/25/2011 -
" Fun and interesting book that shares open minded accepting attitudes and ways of life. Other than the ending, I really liked the book. Worth reading for sure. "
— Collette, 3/13/2011 -
" really interesting perspective of a a Arab-American girl who moves to Jerusalem with her family. Loved the narrator's voice. A little disappointed in the ending,but I'm not sure why. A must read for anyone who likes YA fiction. "
— Katie, 2/17/2011 -
" This is one of the most boring books i have ever read, itis also in the BOB list. "
— 15chiavh1, 1/7/2011 -
" This is a wonderful book filled with wisdom about peace, diversity and religion! Perfect early middle grade read! "
— Michelle, 7/26/2010 -
" You can tell she's a poet. It's a surprisingly sensitive treatment of an overly sensitive topic without being confusing or vague. I think my 7 and 8 students will love it. "
— Nicole, 7/21/2010
About Naomi Shihab Nye
Naomi Shihab Nye is an acclaimed, multiaward–winning author of thirty books who describes herself as a “wandering poet,” having spent decades traveling the country and the world, leading writing workshops and inspiring students of all ages. She was named a Young People’s Poet Laureate for 2019–2021 by the Poetry Foundation.
About Christina Moore
Christina Moore is an actress and Earphones Award–winning audiobook narrator. As an actress, she is best known for her roles in the television series That ’70s Show, Hawthorne, and 90210. She is a founding member of Bitches Funny, an all-female sketch group that has performed in New York City and Los Angeles.