Nidali is the main character in Randa Jarrar’s novel, A Map of Home. She is a young girl born in Boston to a Palestinian father (Baba) and Egyptian mother (Mama). With an American passport, Nidali’s life struggle is foreshadowed by her name, which is the feminine version of “Nidal”, meaning “strife” or “struggle”.

Nidali begins growing up in Kuwait, where she lives with her family until the Gulf War breaks out. After the war, her family moves to Egypt, where she experiences the culture shock of being a Palestinian-American in a foreign country. She is subjected to racism and discrimination, which she is not used to.

In Egypt, Nidali meets her grandmother, Umma, who tells her stories of Palestine and her family’s past. This helps Nidali to better understand her identity and heritage. She also learns about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and how it has affected her family.

Nidali’s family eventually moves back to the United States, where she experiences a different kind of culture shock. She is faced with the challenge of fitting in and being accepted by her peers. Despite this, she finds solace in her friendships and her love of writing.

Throughout the novel, Nidali is constantly searching for her identity and a sense of belonging. She struggles to reconcile her two cultures and find her place in the world. She is also trying to understand her family’s history and her own role in it.

Nidali’s journey of self-discovery takes her to various places, including Palestine, Egypt, and the United States. Along the way, she learns about her family’s past and her own identity. She also learns about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and how it has affected her family.

A Map of Home is a story of identity, belonging, and family. Through Nidali’s journey, readers gain insight into the struggles of being a Palestinian-American and the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The novel is an important reminder of the importance of understanding our own identity and heritage.

Randa Jarrar’s A Map of Home is a story of identity, belonging, and family. Nidali is the main character, a young girl born in Boston to a Palestinian father and Egyptian mother. She experiences culture shock when her family moves to Egypt and the United States. Throughout the novel, Nidali is constantly searching for her identity and a sense of belonging. She learns about her family’s past and her own role in it. She also learns about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and how it has affected her family. A Map of Home is an important reminder of the importance of understanding our own identity and heritage.