BORN A REFUGEE tells the story of four brothers and their widowed mother living in the claustrophobic environment of their two room house in the Kalandia Refugee Camp near Jerusalem. Mahmoud, the oldest brother, was forced to assume responsbility for the family as a young teen when their father was killed. His view that hard work and financial success constitute the best route for the family is scorned by his younger brother who sees ridding the area of the occupation as the only path to betterment. The views and paths of the two brothers through courtship nd marriage are as different as their politics. Dealing with violence and personal tragedy bring the realization that it does not have to be a choice between the two paths, but that both are indispensible.About the Author: DIXIANE HALLAJ spent eleven years in the Middle East as part of her husband's extended family, listening as they shared much of the refugee experience with her. Recently she visited refugee camps in Occupied Palestine, where she listened to the stories of many of the women. These stories formed the basis of her award-winning doctoral dissertation "Caught by Culture and Conflict." She currently lives in Purcellville, VA, with her husband and their cat, named "Dog."