Zeyn Joukhadar

About the Author

Zeyn Joukhadar is an award-winning author whose work weaves intricate tapestries of history, identity, and resilience, drawing from his own Syrian-American heritage to illuminate the lives of marginalized voices. Born in the United States to Syrian parents, Joukhadar grew up immersed in stories of displacement and survival, which profoundly shape his narrative style. His debut novel, The Map of Salt and Stars: A Novel, earned critical acclaim for its dual timelines that parallel the journeys of a modern Syrian refugee girl and a 12th-century cartographer's apprentice, blending adventure, mythology, and poignant reflections on home and belonging. A physician by training, Joukhadar brings a compassionate lens to his explorations of cultural diaspora, earning him recognition from the American Library Association and Lambda Literary Awards. His writing continues to bridge worlds, offering readers a deeper understanding of the human spirit amid turmoil.