Mama in Congress by Adam Tlaib, Miranda Paul, and Rashida Tlaib
Published by Clarion Books in 2022
Key Words: Empowerment, Government, Power, Religion, Change
Summary: This book tells the story of Rashida Tlaib’s journey to working in Congress. Tlaib’s parents were from Palestine, but she was born in Michigan and loved her community. Growing up, Tlaib faced many difficulties, such as racism and feeling different from the kids around her. A teacher encouraged her to join the debate team, and during her first debate, she tried but could not speak. However, she was determined, and with a lot of practice and determination, she helped her school win a championship. She attended college and then Law school, and worked for Steve Tobocman in the Michigan House of Representatives, whose position she ran for after his term was up. Along this journey, she had two kids, Adam and Yousif. Tlaib won that election in 2008 and, after many years, decided to run for U.S. House of Representatives for Michigan in 2018 and also won that election, becoming one of the first Muslim women in Congress.
Book lesson: This book is very empowering, especially for young Arab women. Through the example of Tlaib, it portrays that if they work hard and care deeply about their community, they can make a positive change in it.
Censorship: Not banned or censored
Highlights: I enjoyed how the story not only focused on the bright and positive aspects of success but also balanced that with the difficulties and how hard Tlaib worked to achieve her dreams. For example, although it detailed how Tlaib made it to Congress and was successful in having a good work-life balance, it also said that she got threats because of her faith, putting herself and her family through a hard time.
Children’s identity: The book Mama in Congress would help children’s identity develop as it would allow them to see how someone from a different cultural and faith background might struggle more to reach their position, because of the social and economic barriers. I think for children, especially girls who are Arab or Muslim, this book would show them that someone similar to them was able to make it so far, and that they can do the same.
Sense of how others perceive us: While Tlaib did not let the way others perceived her stop her from reaching her goals, there were certainly times she was hindered because of thinking of others. For example, during her first time on the debate team, she was unable to speak because she assumed she did not belong or that others might judge her. Regardless, she was able to overcome that challenge, becoming a powerful inspiration to others and helping lead her school to a championship.
Sense of Culture: Tlaib, throughout the story, remained connected and recognized the importance of her Palestinian roots. This is demonstrated at the end of the story, when she wins the elections and makes it into the United States Congress, and wears a traditional Palestinian thobe, to honor her heritage and culture, which I thought was very powerful.
Sense of Belonging/community: Tlaib has moments where she feels like she does not belong in her community, such as feeling as though she does not fit in with the other kids in her neighborhood who had wealthier backgrounds. Additional moments arise when she goes to campaign for herself, and some people in her community simply do not open the door for her to let her speak. However, the most important aspect is overcoming challenges while pursuing her goals and achieving them.
