Zeitoun

by Dave Eggers
Lexile:  840
Genre:  Nonfiction

Abdulrahman Zeitoun came to the United States from Syria to start a new life.  He settled in New Orleans, met and married his wife Kathy, had three daughters, and was running a very successful contracting business.  But then Hurricane Katrina struck and turned his life upside down.  Kathy took the kids and left the city, but Zeitoun decided to remain behind to take care of their house and other property they owned.  He survived the storm unscathed and began to do his part in helping others by rescuing people in his canoe, taking care of abandoned dogs, and checking on houses for friends. During one such check, he his arrested, taken to jail, and accused of looting.  He is also accused of being a terrorist.  His basic rights are denied and he has no idea when, or if, he will be released from prison.  Zeitoun can not believe that this is happening in the United States, the country he has called home for so long.

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