A living hub for the people of Palestine — those who shaped it, and those who stood with it.

Suggest a profile
Portrait of Naomi Shihab Nye

Photo: Micahd · CC BY-SA 3.0

Naomi Shihab Nye

Celebrated Palestinian-American poet

Born
12 March 1952
Born in
St. Louis, Missouri, USA
Read Naomi’s story2 videosAsk about Naomi

Why Naomi is here

Renowned for her profound poetry and literary contributions that highlight Palestinian identity and experiences.

Their story

Naomi Shihab Nye, born in St. Louis in 1952 to a Palestinian father, the journalist Aziz Shihab, and an American mother, is a poet, novelist and editor. She lived in Jerusalem as a teenager and has made her home in San Antonio, Texas.

She has published more than thirty-five books, among them 19 Varieties of Gazelle: Poems of the Middle East and the novel Habibi. She was the Poetry Foundation's Young People's Poet Laureate from 2019 to 2022, and her poems have brought Palestinian lives to generations of American readers.

Milestones

The moments that shaped Naomi’s path.

  1. 1980

    Published First Collection "Different Ways to Pray"

    This collection marked her debut as a significant voice in poetry, focusing on cultural and spiritual themes.

    Read more

  2. 1992

    Edited "This Same Sky"

    Compiled an anthology of international poetry that included works from 129 poets from 68 countries, showcasing her commitment to cross-cultural understanding and dialogue.

    Read more

  3. 2013

    Awarded NSK Neustadt Prize for Children's Literature

    Recognized for her contributions to children’s literature, highlighting her versatility and impact across different literary genres.

  4. 2019–2022

    Named Young People's Poet Laureate by the Poetry Foundation

    Honored for her ability to reach young audiences with her accessible and profound poetry.

    Read more

  5. 2023

    Honorary Degree from Vermont College of Fine Arts

    Acknowledged for her lifelong contributions to poetry and education.

Legacy

What they built, changed and left behind.

  1. Promotion of Palestinian Culture

    Through her poetry and prose, Nye consistently highlights Palestinian culture and heritage, bringing awareness to Palestinian issues and identity on an international stage.

    Watch

  2. Educational Outreach

    Nye has taught creative writing and poetry at various institutions, including Texas State University and the Michener Center for Writers, where she educates students about Palestinian narratives and literature.

  3. Literary Advocacy

    Edited international poetry anthologies including The Space Between Our Footsteps, bringing diverse voices and Palestinian experiences to young readers.

    Watch

  4. Creative Projects for Children

    Her children’s books, such as "Sitti’s Secrets" and "Habibi," introduce young readers to Palestinian culture and the Palestinian experience, fostering early understanding and empathy.

Ask about Naomi

Curious about something? An AI guide answers from Naomi’s profile.

Naomi’s guide AI

Answers come from Naomi’s profile on this page. It isn’t Naomi, and it can make mistakes.

What would you like to know about Naomi?

Ask in your own words about Naomi’s early life, work, the moments that shaped them, or their legacy. The guide answers only from this profile, so if something isn’t covered, it will tell you.

AI-generated from this profile. Spotted something wrong? Correct or add information.

Watch & listen

Naomi in interviews, talks and coverage.

  • 01Promotion of Palestinian Culture↗

  • 02Literary Advocacy↗

Further reading

Something wrong or missing?

Help improve Naomi Shihab Nye’s profile. Send a correction, a source, a photo or missing information. An editor checks every update before publication.

Correct or add information

Keep exploring

More faces from Palestinian Americans

All 78 in Palestinian Americans