Claudia

“In the pockets of my heart without any words, I want to believe.”
― Jennifer Zeynab Joukhadar, The Map of Salt and Stars

“Stones don't have to be whole to be lovely," he says. "Even cracked ones can be polished and set. Small diamonds, if they are clear and well cut, can be more valuable than big ones with impurities. Listen," he says. Sometimes the brightest stars shine brightest, no?”
― Jennifer Zeynab Joukhadar, The Map of Salt and Stars

“There is a goodness in the world that got me through, that taught me it's important to know who you are.”
― Jennifer Zeynab Joukhadar, The Map of Salt and Stars

“New York?" Itto looks down at me. "You may be American, but you are still Syrian."
I rub the camel's coarse hair with my palms. "How?"
"A person ca be two things at the same time," Itto says. "The land where your parents were born will always be in you. Words survive. Borders are nothing to words and blood.”
― Jennifer Zeynab Joukhadar, The Map of Salt and Stars