book cover image retrieved from www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Terrorists-Son/Zak-Ebrahim/TED-Books/9781476784809
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Book ReviewThis non-fiction narrative reinforces the fact that terrorism is not a genetic condition, a birthright, a religion, or an ethnicity; it is a choice. Zak Ebrahim's memoir The Terrorist's Son, is the story of his life with a radicalized family and the lessons he learned from his father who is currently in jail for terrorist violence. El Sayyid Nosair murdered a Jewish rabbi and from jail helped plan the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. Zak's entire childhood involved moving from town to town trying to fit in while, being bullied by his father, step brothers, step-father as well as schoolmates who knew his family history. Zak had few friends and even his mother sat by as he was beaten by his step father. Despite the many strikes against him, Zak refuses to be sucked into the vortex of hatred and ignorance he witnesses and devotes his life to pacifism. This short narrative, which is based off of a March 2014 TED talk, Ebrahim is accessible to reluctant readers as well as those interested in a rare and inspiring story of personal fortitude. The only aspect of this title that may discourage readers is its brevity; but the depth of emotion and significant relevance in our current culture of global terrorism greatly contributes to the discussion. I highly recommend The Terrorist's Son for the middle and high school reader.
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Teaching Ideas |
English 9
1. The student will read and analyze a variety of nonfiction texts. a) Recognize an author’s intended purpose for writing and identify the main idea. b) Summarize text relating supporting details. Students should recognize the big questions literature answers, and this piece, though short has a larger message unrelated to terrorism. Ask students to make predictions about the narrative before reading. Teacher should give students only the basics author, title, brief information about idea of book. Ask them to predict possible message. Keep these on the wall during the unit then return to predictions as you read. Ask students how their predictions align with what they find the main lessons of the novel to be in the end. English 11 2. 11.5 The student will read and analyze a variety of nonfiction texts. e) Analyze two or more texts addressing the same topic to identify authors’ purpose and determine how authors reach similar or different conclusions. Because the narrative is so short, it is possible to read it along with another similar story. Combine this title and either The Glass Castle or Angela's Ashes (both nonfiction memoirs) from children who survived extremely difficult childhood traumas and made positive outcomes. Read each title and have students create Venn diagrams connecting themes, moments and outcomes. Maybe divide class into three groups centered around these ideas and have groups share results. World History 3. WHII.16 The student will demonstrate knowledge of cultural, economic, and social conditions in developed and developing nations of the contemporary world by d) analyzing the increasing impact of terrorism. Terrorism is on the forefront of news and political talk but it is not a new concept. Have students create a US terrorism timeline dating back 40-50 years. The timeline will be created digitally using this interactive timeline creator on the screen in front of class using researched newspaper headlines and images. Students should be paired and given certain years to research and create digital information to add to the class timeline. When they add their images and headlines, they must explain the event. Visual Communication Art 8 4. 8.6 The student will communicate ideas, experiences, and narratives through the creation of original works of art, using selected media. Students will create a collage from images, headlines, mixed media (quotes from the novel) that reflects their reading and the events that stand out to them. The collage will be in the shape of the World Trade center or the Twin Towers in NY. Students will accompany their collages with an artist's statement explaining the title of the piece and what they hope it reveals about the experience of reading. |
Partner TitlesZak Ebrahim speaks about his experience as the son of a terrorist.
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1. TED Talk: A Global Culture to fight Extremism by Maajid Nawaz
Nawaz is a former Islamist extremist who has some excellent ideas for younger generations (and adults) about combating terrorism and promoting democratic values. 2. Memoir: The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls Like Zak Ebrahim, Walls grew up poor and transient in the USA; she took her turmoil and translated that into personal success and growth. The female voice in the narrative will appeal to girls. Both pieces connect well. Reference: Walls, J. (2005). The glass castle. New York: Scribner. 3. Classic Memoir: Angela's Ashes by Frank McCort McCort's Irish upbringing with an abusive father and powerless mother connects to Ebrahim's. Each story contains children who are able to choose different paths than what their parents laid out. Reference: McCort, F. (1996). Angela's ashes. London: Scribner. 4. Poem: "My Papa's Waltz" by Theodore Roethke (1942) This powerful poem is about a young boy who desperately loves his cruel father. The clear similarities of voice, imagery, and theme will appeal to readers; Roethke (a Pulitzer prize winner for Poetry) is outstanding. 5. Poem: "Bleeding Graffiti in Paris" by Kenneth Maswabi (2016) This verse was penned after February 13 terrorist attacks in Paris in 2015. The poem contains imagery and emotion connected to the event. Studying the attack and then reading the poem as a reaction would be an interesting activity. Here is a great timeline of the attacks from the BBC. |
Further Exploration |
1. Narrative Magazine
This online magazine would be a useful resource for a unit on nonfiction narratives. It contains many pieces of fiction, nonfiction, poetry. 2. Remembering the 1993 World Trade Center Bombing This History.com piece provides information about the terrorist attack Zak's father helped organize from his jail cell. Students may not know anything about this bombing because it happened before their births. This piece provides context. 3. Counter Education Learning Lab Located in Denver CO, the CELL is an interactive educational museum (learning lab) dedicated to counter terrorism. Its website provides lesson plans and sites to help teachers who take on this subject. Great lesson ideas here! 4. Author's TED talk. Zak Ebrahim speaks for 9 minutes here, and it is the foundation for his book. Students would like to hear his voice and hear thi sas a possible introduction to the book. 5. Empathy Paradise: Students at a Jewish Day School reflect on Zak Ebrahim's experience. This blog provides interesting reflection and a lesson idea one teacher gave students at Rosh Hashana. Student perspectives are outstanding here. 6. TED Curriculum Guide Provided by the publishers, this guide contains excellent discussion questions and opportunities for further exploration related to the novel. This would be MOST helpful for teachers. |
References
Education, V. D. (n.d.). Standards of Learning. Retrieved July 07, 2017, from http://www.doe.virginia.gov/testing/sol/standards_docs/