Palestinian Writers and Illustrators Scholarship
This scholarship provides funds to amplify the voices of Palestinian and Palestinian American voices as they bring stories to kids.
In 2024, the Palestinian Writers and Illustrators Scholarship was established and supported via a fundraiser by Books For Palestine. Recipients will receive awards to attend programs that support their needs to craft authentic stories for children, based on the funds available.
Find more information about our scholarship process and apply here. (Please note the application for 2024 has closed. Scholarship awards will reopen for 2025.)
“When I attended my first Highlights Foundation course, it was my first time feeling like I existed in a majority, not a minority. Building community with other authors who shared my identity helped validate me and my stories, and gave me the feedback I needed to improve my manuscript. The connections I built extended beyond the end of the course, and I am extremely appreciative of the time I spent with Highlights.”
– Omar Abed, Palestinian-American author of You, Me, and a Tree, The Book That Almost Rhymed, and Debug This Book
“The Highlights Foundation retreat center, students, community, and staff provide a vital and nurturing environment for writers to experience warmth, love, and camaraderie, cultivating a sense of healing and inclusivity. It offers marginalized writers an oasis for self-expression and community, making it an ideal space for creative exploration, growth, and reprieve!”
– Dr. Nevien Shaabneh, Palestinian Author and Public Speaker
“I applied for the Highlights Foundation Musim Storytellers Crash Course not too long ago and was accepted. I didn’t really know what to expect, so I was excited and nervous all at the same time. Come to find out, there was no reason to be nervous at all. I was elated to see other Muslim professionals attend the course and the wealth of information from the mentors was priceless. Each session and every mentor made me feel valuable and highlighted the equal importance of all our work, gave us useful advice, and made us feel like a part of something big. It was the inspiration I needed to fine tune my manuscript and start querying. Suffice it to say, it was bittersweet to end the course, but I look forward to maintaining all the connections I made, going to Highlights retreats, and signing up for more courses in the future.”
-Heba Subeh-Hyder, Muslim Palestinian American author of children’s book series Maymunah’s Musings.
“Books for Palestine’s official “Reading is Resistance” merch campaign is raising funds to support the career growth of Palestinian Storytellers in North America. 100% of all profits from these sales will be donated to the Highlights Foundation to create scholarship opportunities for Palestinian Kidlit Writers and Illustrators. By uplifting and amplifying Palestinian voices we protect the future of Palestinian stories and culture.”
To donate by check, make a check payable to: The Highlights Foundation, and send it to: The Highlights Foundation, 814 Court Street, Honesdale, PA 18431. You can reference the name of the scholarship fund in the memo line.
