Teacher’s Rationale
School: Arrowhead Union High School
Teacher(s):
Anderson/Freeburg/Polkowski
Title:
Zeitoun by Dave Eggers
Grade or Course:
Modern Literature X
Approximate date(s) a book will be used:
___X__ Semester 1
______ Semester 2
This book will be (check one or more):
__X _ studied by the whole class. (But students have option to choose different text).
_____ studied by small groups.
_____ placed on a reading list.
_____ placed in a classroom library.
_____ recommended to individual students.
_____ part of a larger study of (explain):
_____ other (explain):
Ways in which the book is especially appropriate for student in this class:
Zeitoun, stylistically, presents the students with non-fiction that reads like fiction. Eggers has
constructed a narrative and dialogue from exhaustive interviews with the subjects. The Katrina disaster is one
that the students will remember enough to have a basic understanding, but will benefit from closer
examination. The book synthesizes family, religion, politics, and a man-versus-everything conflict into an
exciting whole.
Ways in which the book is especially pertinent to the objectives of this course or unit:
Zeitoun offers a first-person glimpse into the life of a Syrian transplant attempting to live the American
dream when Hurricane Katrina occurs. A balanced portrait of a Muslim family is shown, as is the reaction to
Muslims in post-9/11 America. Opportunities for global awareness and examination of how free America is for
all religious expression.
Zeitoun examines how both individuals and government respond to disaster.
Other opportunities for examining America’s complex socio-economic and class structures exist.
This book is also a story of love and heroism in a time of great trial.
Some other appropriate books an individual student might read in place of this book:
Disaster: Hurricane Katrina and the Failure of Homeland Security
The Leadership Moment: Nine True Stories of Triumph and Disaster and Their Lessons for Us All
Heat Wave: A Social Autopsy of Disaster in Chicago (Illinois)
Thunderstruck
Summary of the book:
The true story of one family, caught between America’s two biggest policy disasters: the war on terror
and the response to Hurricane Katrina.
Abdulrahman and Kathy Zeitoun run a house-painting business in New Orleans. In August of 2005, as
Hurricane Katrina approaches, Kathy evacuates with their four young children, leaving Zeitoun to watch over
the business. In the days following the storm he travels the city by canoe, feeding abandoned animals and
helping elderly neighbors. Then, on September 6th, police officers armed with M-16s arrest Zeitoun in his
home. Told with eloquence and compassion, Zeitoun is a riveting account of one family’s unthinkable struggle
with forces beyond wind and water.
Reviews and/or awards of the book or author:
Zeitoun has received broad critical recognition, including:
 A New York Times Notable Book
 An O, The Oprah Magazine Terrific Read of the Year
 A Huffington Post Best Book of the Year
 A New Yorker Favorite Book of the Year
 A Chicago Tribune Favorite Nonfiction Book of the Year
 A Kansas City Star Best Book of the Year
 A San Francisco Chronicle Best Book of the Year
 An Entertainment Weekly Best Book of the Decade
 American Book Award Winner
 Dayton Literary Peace Prize Winner