Looking for YA fiction on Israel-Palestine

[Callimom]

I am on the library's waiting list for The Shepherd's Granddaughter, and I would like to read some other YA fiction on the topic, preferably with a variety of viewpoints before I read them with DS 12. Any suggestions?

Thanks
Karen

[ocelotmom]

One More River and Broken Bridge by Lynne Reid Banks. The former takes place in 1967, and the latter is a follow-up in the 90s. From an Israeli/Jewish point of view, but Broken Bridge especially gets into Palestinian issues. Make sure you get the more recent (1990's) version of One More River, which is apparently both more authentic and more PC.

Carol Matas wrote some books that take place in Palestine shortly after WWII. Again, Jewish perspective. I can't recall if I've actually read any of these, though I know I read some of her WWII books.

Exodus by Leon Uris probably isn't age appropriate.

There's another I read as a teen that I'm trying to recall, but the title has totally slipped my brain... though I could probably find it on the shelf at my childhood library.

[ollyoxenfree]

Does it have to be fiction?

Three Wishes: Palestinian and Israeli Children Speak by Deborah Ellis presents the stories of young people on both sides of the conflict, in their own words. Some of it is tough reading, but unforgettable. It's appropriate for older tweens/teens.

[Callimom]

Thanks for the suggestions. I would love more.
Our library has some non fiction on the topic including 3 wishes.
I've heard great things about the Shepherds Granddaughter although I've also read it presents only one viewpoint (understandably as it is fiction). I was hoping to read other view points with him as well.

[ocelotmom]

The other book I was thinking of may have been The Boy From Over There by Tamar Bergman. In any case, that one deals with the same time period.

I think this, and the Carol Matas books (After The War and The Garden) will help get across the Jewish/Israeli viewpoint - they're a group that's suffered a huge collective trauma, still being persecuted in parts of Europe, so they go somewhere they feel they'll be comparatively safe and fight to survive. This, of course, happens to be less than ideal for the people already living there. And now, they've been living there for 2-3 generations, and no more want to pick up and leave than people in the US want to go give the land back to the Native Americans.

Habibi by Naomi Shihab Nye is one I ran across from a Palestinian point of view (since I feel my recommendations have been slanted towards the Israeli side ). Heard of it before, but haven't read it.

And thank you! In trying to track this one down, I stumbled across the title of another book that I've been trying to remember for years! I'm totally thrilled!

[Callimom]

Glad to be of service

No really, thanks for the book suggestions. These will give me a great starting point.
Karen