A Map of Home

    A Map Of Home is a coming of age story in which Nidali heads towards adulthood, and learn the beauty yet ugly truth about the world. From the start of the novel, Nidali already learns that the world isn't perfect and all rainbow from the reveal of the non-cliche, picture-perfect way in which her parents met each other. As we follow her journey, we learn very quickly that Nidali experiences the ugly parts of the world at a young age. In Kuwait, a war causes her family to flee to Egypt, and Nidali is forced to deal with the struggles of life. Along with dealing with the turmoil of war, and constantly having to move homes; Nidali experiences struggles with her identity. Born to a Palestinian father, and an Egyptian mother, Nidali battles unfamiliar backgrounds, along with trying to reason with her strict father's expectations.
    In her new neighborhood, she meets a boy by the name of Fakhr, and she begins her first romantic relationship. We can see that Nidali is growing up, and starting to leave her innocence as she explores romantic relationships. During this time, she experiments with her sexuality, and masturbation, followed by feelings of guilt. Nidali is learning more about herself and becoming conscious of the world around her. In Egypt, she is aware of the stricter rule in society concerning public display of affection and such as she warns Fakhr to not kiss her in public again during their reunion. Nidali also moves a lot throughout the novel, having to adapt to new environments and leaving behind the people she already built special bonds with. This is in a way, also a part of lessons about life that she learns throughout her life, that some people are temporary.
   As Nidali's family pack their bags and move again, we follow Nidali to her reaching adulthood and figuring out what it is she wants to do with her life.  In America, Nidali is yet faced again with struggles, this time, having to adapt from an eastern to western life. Texas public high school allowed her to experience being a teenager as she develops a crush on a boy named Omar, and mingle with new friend group. During this period of her life, tensions with her father increase, and she tries to break from her father trying to control her life. She learns of how different her peers live compare to herself, expressing her anger to her parents that she wants to have more freedom. We also see her running away from home for the first time, showing teenage rebellion against her strict home life, as she tries to negotiate with her parents to give her more freedom. She learns that she wants to become a writer, and had a hard time convincing her parents, especially her father, to allow her to attend Boston University. In the end, we finally see Nidali going off to college, and in a foreshadowing scene of her catching a pen, pursuing her dreams to become a writer.

   A Map Of Home tells the story of Nidali, a girl who grew up in a tough situation due to political changes and having to adapt to new environments. It is certainly a coming of age story where a girl remains optimistic through various struggles in her life, leading up to her adulthood.