They Called Me a Lioness

A Palestinian Girl's Fight for Freedom

By: Ahed Tamimi, Dena Takruri

Narrated by: Dena Takruri

A Palestinian activist jailed at sixteen after a confrontation with Israeli soldiers illuminates the daily struggles of life under occupation in this moving, deeply personal memoir.

“I cannot even begin to convey the clarity, the intensity, the power, the photographic storytelling of They Called Me a Lioness.”—Ibram X. Kendi, internationally bestselling author of How to Be an Antiracist

ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: Kirkus Reviews

“What would you do if you grew up seeing your home repeatedly raided? Your parents arrested? Your mother shot? Your uncle killed? Try, for just a moment, to imagine that this was your life. How would you want the world to react?”

Ahed Tamimi is a world-renowned Palestinian activist, born and raised in the small West Bank village of Nabi Saleh, which became a center of the resistance to Israeli occupation when an illegal, Jewish-only settlement blocked off its community spring. Tamimi came of age participating in nonviolent demonstrations against this action and the occupation at large. Her global renown reached an apex in December 2017, when, at sixteen years old, she was filmed slapping an Israeli soldier who refused to leave her front yard. The video went viral, and Tamimi was arrested.

But this is not just a story of activism or imprisonment. It is the human-scale story of an occupation that has riveted the world and shaped global politics, from a girl who grew up in the middle of it . Tamimi’s father was born in 1967, the year that Israel began its occupation of the West Bank and he grew up immersed in the resistance movement. One of Tamimi’s earliest memories is visiting him in prison, poking her toddler fingers through the fence to touch his hand. She herself would spend her seventeenth birthday behind bars. Living through this greatest test and heightened attacks on her village, Tamimi felt her resolve only deepen, in tension with her attempts to live the normal life of a daughter, sibling, friend, and student.

An essential addition to an important conversation, They Called Me a Lioness shows us what is at stake in this struggle and offers a fresh vision for resistance. With their unflinching, riveting storytelling, Ahed Tamimi and Dena Takruri shine a light on the humanity not just in occupied Palestine but also in the unsung lives of people struggling for freedom around the world.

©2022 Ahed Tamimi, Dena Takruri (P)2022 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“I cannot even begin to convey the clarity, the intensity, the power, the photographic storytelling of They Called Me a Lioness. Ahed Tamimi and Dena Takruri lay bare seemingly every terrifying aspect of Israel’s apartheid against Palestinians, and the relentless freedom fight of Palestinians and their Israeli allies. Read and bear witness.”—Ibram X. Kendi, internationally bestselling author of How to Be an Antiracist

“A powerful, moving combination of a memoir of personal resistance with a panoramic overview of the history of Palestine that leaves the reader with a detailed understanding of the daily realities of life under Israeli military occupation.”—Omar Robert Hamilton, author of The City Always Wins

“With more courage than any child should ever have to possess, Ahed Tamimi showed the world more than once what it looks like when you refuse to consent to your own obliteration. In this gripping, painful, and inspiring book, she tells the parts of the story that the cameras always miss: the slow and grinding humiliations of the occupation; the heartache of losing loved ones to Israeli prisons and guns; the cruelties of imprisonment; the love, laughter, and strength in solidarity that are necessary to keep living, breathing, and fighting against enormous odds. For anyone planning to stay alive on this planet in these perilous times, They Called Me a Lioness is urgent and essential reading.”—Ben Ehrenreich, author of The Way to the Spring

powerful and eye opening

I hope Ahed's voice is not silenced. I want to see how her story ends.

Free Palestine

This succinct, emotional story helped me understand what the Palestinian people are going through. I am protesting in Seattle and hoping Ahed is released soon.

Life changing

This book was life changing. I learned so much and my heart ached with Ahed and all the Palestinians as she told her story. Not only was this an extremely personal account but it was filled with such raw facts and knowledge that is irreplaceable. It is a motivational reminder to do what should be done for the sake of humanity. Free Palestine.

“A book can change the world”

A must listen. Incredible first hand account of life in Palestine. Woukd be a great addition to a high school curriculum.

Wow

The story of a Palestinian girl, who becomes a woman really tugs at my heart. I didn’t really appreciate the effect. The Israeli occupation had on the people of Palestine. This is an excellent book to have the perspective of a Palestinian in the occupied Israel territories.

An eye opening story

A story that highlights the suffering of the Palestinian people while also being a first hand experience and is one of a kind

Excellent book!

Every American should read this book. Everyone all over the world, but especially Americans. Gripping, heartbreaking, but also inspiring and beautiful. Educational - what Israel and the U.S. government definitely don’t want you to know.

If Bravery was a Girl

This book was written in a way that anyone can understand and begin to empathize with the Palestinian struggle. Reading this during the active G-cide that Is-notreal is commiting is beyond enraging. Very educational and inspiring to continue the resistance for liberation.

Wow! Beauty in the story telling.

I absolutely loved this book. Beautiful story telling while honoring the experience. I will listen again in a few weeks- I’m sure there is more I can take from this. Highly recommend.

Awesome book

The book is more than awesome! The reader really put me into Tamimi’s emotions and experiences. The book is an excellent autobiography showing what is like to live fully in occupied Palestine.