Hannah Moushabeck: Homeland, Memory & Stories | Sumud Podcast

This week on the Sumud Podcast, we’re joined by Hannah Moushabeck, a Palestinian American author, editor, and book marketer. Born into a family of publishers and raised in western Massachusetts, Hannah grew up in the world of books. Today, she carries that legacy forward at Interlink Books, one of the only Palestinian-owned publishing houses in the U.S.

Her acclaimed debut, "Homeland: My Father Dreams of Palestine" (Chronicle Books, 2023), is a lyrical picture book inspired by her father’s memories of Palestine. With warmth and humor, it offers young readers both a window into a beloved homeland and a mirror for displaced families everywhere.

In this conversation, Hannah shares her journey growing up surrounded by stories, the challenges of representing Palestine in children’s literature, and the backlash she’s faced, including censorship and soft bans. She also reflects on reclaiming her identity, creating community for emerging Palestinian authors, and why storytelling for children is a vital act of resistance.

🔑 In this episode, we explore:

➡ Why representation in children’s books is survival, not just storytelling

➡ The story of Interlink Books & resisting cultural erasure

➡ The rise of censorship and soft suppression of Palestinian voices

➡ Building community through Palestinians in Kid Lit

➡ Homeland as an act of love, memory, and joy

This video is for educational purposes only. It provides historical and political analysis to inform and educate viewers.

Chapters:

00:00 – Introduction

01:21 – Growing Up in the Only Palestinian Publishing House in the U.S.

06:21 –The Faces of Interlink Books

9:56- How to Approach Interlink or Hannah About an Idea?

11:38- Childhood Erasure & Reclaiming Palestinian Identity

15:31 – Discovering Naomi Shihab Nye & the Power of Children’s Books

21:11- Writing Homeland & Sparking Questions Through the Story

26:52 – Soft Censorship, Library Bans & Resilience

29:35- Main Takeaway from Wondering About Palestine

31:25- Claiming My Identity: The Moment I Said, “I’m Palestinian"

33:33 – Messages to young Palestinians & aspiring writers

📲 Follow Hannah Moushabeck: @hannahmoushabeck, @interlinkbooks

🎙 Follow our host: @dredhasan

🌐 Explore more at: https://sumudpod.com

Check out: https://interlinkbooks.com/

📕 Hannah’s Book: Homeland: https://bookshop.org/p/books/homeland-my-father-dreams-of-palestine-hannah-moushabeck/18788705?ean=9781797202051&next=t

#Palestine #SumudPod #PalestinianStories #Books #Author #Kidsbook #Homeland #Stories #Storytelling

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