Son of Hamas

 
Son of Hamas, by Mosab Hassan Yousef

ISBN:  9781414333083
Carol Stream, Ill:  SaltRiver, 2010

Subject addressed - This is an autobiography of Mosab Hassan Yousef, the son of Sheikh Hassan Yousef, one of the original founders of the Palestinian terrorist group, Hamas.  The story is complex, but the outline of his life is fairly simple.  He was raised in a loving home with a burning awareness of the Israeli enemy in his back yard, building walled communities, the Settlements, that his people considered illegal according to a peace agreement signed before he was even born.  He was a dedicated believer in jihad, or Muslim Holy War, when he was arrested by the Israelis, thrown into prison, and tortured.  A very strange thing happened then.  He was approached by the Shin Bet, the very Israeli secret agency that arrested him, asking if he'd be interested in becoming a spy for Israel.  This is the story of his journey through constant life-threatening situations after deciding what to do with such an audacious offer.

Critical Evaluation - This book is engrossing.  It is an autobiography, and so unapologetic in its bias in fact presentation.  Taking Yousef at his word or not, it is an amazing story of a childhood and young adulthood surrounded by and experiencing horrible violence and then choosing a very, very different road.  It is co-written with Ron Brackin, and the style is straightforward with no sentimentality, but the simple presentation of facts is terrifying and engrossing on its own, much like some of Dave Eggers's work.

Reader's annotation - Yousef is the son of one of the founders of one of the world's deadliest terror organizations, and when he was asked to spy for the other side, he knows he is being asked to betray everyone, most especially his hero, his loving father.
Information about the author - In addition to the information already given, Yousef became a Christian, a awful blasphemy in his family's eyes, and took Jesus's teachings of compassion and love for ones enemy quite literally.  He says that this is what has sustained him while separated both geographically and emotionally from his family.  His work was responsible for the thwarting of many suicide bombings and other terrorist attacks.  He is currently living in exile in the United States, but hopes to return to Palestine when there is peace.
Curriculum Ties - Ethics classes for upper classpersons; History of the Israeli/Palestinian wars
Booktalk ideas - 

1. Read a short section from Yousef's young life harrassing Settlers.  Begin on pg. 23 with, "A friend and I hid again another day..." and end on pg. 24 with "I hadn't gone very far when I felt my feet fall out from underneath me."
2. Read a bit from the section where Yousef is first arrested and hears the Leonard Cohen song over and over again.  Begin on pg. 70 with "Through the thick steel door,..." and end on pg. 71 with, "...forcing me to lean forward."

Reading level - 16+  This is an intense book, but not hard to read for young adults.  The politics and scenes of torture are too much for an audience any younger than 16.

Challenge issues - political issues surrounding the Palestinian/Israeli war; violence; family betrayal

Challenge defense ideas:

• Librarian must read the book carefully and include it as a resource intended for older teens.
• Librarian greets students and regularly discusses their reading choices; she provides individualized, age-appropriate guidance in book choice.
• Explain the ways in which the librarian accompanies and guides younger students looking for books, and knows students well as individuals. 

Why I included this book - It's a riveting story and an important one to be told.  Using it as part of a History or English class regarding literature from conflict would be fantastic.  It will engender much discussion about whether or not Yousef is representing his own history accurately or not, and is a fantastic launching point for more research about the area.