Bashir Khairi

Bashir Khairi is one of the two main characters of the book, which both deals with Bashir's individual story, and with his role as a member of Palestinian refugee society. Through Bashir and his family, the reader learns about the experience of Arab refugees and their continuing struggle to return to their homes and regain the land that has been taken from them. Bashir's story is of particular significance because of how it intersects with the Israeli woman who was raised in the house his family was forced to leave. Their friendship does not end Bashir's quest to return home, but perhaps changes his perspective on the enemy and helps to humanize them in his eyes.

Bashir is six years old when his family is forced to leave their home in Al-Ramla. He is the first boy born to a family of nine sisters and is remembered...