Kindergarten and Elementary School
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Israel Book Connections is a list of recommended books about life in Israel. Each book has been chosen based on its quality, the presentation of Israel, and its avoidance of stereotypes in presenting the complexities of the region.
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 Behold the Trees
Sue Alexander, Leonid Gore, (Scholastic, 2001), 48 pages, Elementary School
Behold the Trees tells the history of Israel through the fate of its trees.
Israel, a nation once protected by wonderful trees, has over time and due to
war and environmental neglect, turned to desert until new inhabitants plant trees and slowly make the country bloom again.
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 Chicken Man
Michelle Edwards (Junebug Books, 2007), 32 pages, Kindergarten
When Rody is put in charge of the chicken coop on the kibbutz he lives on in Israel, he never wants to leave. But when he is transferred to another job, he learns important lessons about hard work and happiness.
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 Dog of Knots
Kathy Walden Kaplan, (Eerdmans, William B. Publishing Company, February 2005), 131 pages, older Elementary/Middle School (grade 4 and up)
This coming of age story tells of nine-year-old child, Mayim, who lost her father in the Six Day War when she was a baby. Describing Mayim's new life in Haifa, Dog of Knots paints a touching picture of daily life in Israel while examining on attitudes toward war and peace.
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 Duel
David Grossman, ( Bloomsbury USA Children's Books, August 2004), 112 pages, older Elementary/Middle School (grade 4 and up)
Duel is a mystery/coming of age story narrated by twelve-year-old David in Jerusalem, who befriends the 70-year-old Heinrich Rosenberg. After Mr. Rosenberg receives a mysterious letter alleging that he is a thief, David becomes determined to help his new friend by discovering the truth behind the letter's allegations.
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 Israel ABCs
Holly Schroeder (Picture Window Books, 2004), 32 pages, Kindergarten
This book highlights the wonderful people and places in Israel.
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 Jerusalem Sky: Stars, Crosses and Crescents
Mark H. Podwal (Bantam Doubleday Dell Books for Young Readers, 2005), 32 pages, K-2 and up (all ages)
Jerusalem Sky provides a starting point for discussing current events and their historical roots with children. Weaving legends and stories in with his magnificent artwork, Mark Podwal tells the tale of Jerusalem — famed city, historical battleground and shared sacred space of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. He delivers a simple and inspiring message of hope that these three world religions can share the same Jerusalem Sky in peace. Elie Wiesel wrote of the book, “If Jerusalem is a crown, these words and paintings by Mark Podwal are its precious jewel. [Jerusalem Sky] will bring the city closer to you and you closer to its majestic beauty.”
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 Joshua's Dream
Sheila Segal (UAHC Press, 1992), 26 pages, Elementary School
In this story Joshua learns about the heroic efforts of his Great Aunt Rivka and her hard work in settling and transforming the land of Israel. Joshua’s love for his heritage climaxes when he has the opportunity to plant a tree in Israel.
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 Running on Eggs
Anna Levine (Cricket Books, 1999), 128 pages, Older Elementary School (grade 4 and up)
Running on Eggs is the story of a tentative friendship between Karen, an Israeli student, and Yasmine, her Arab contemporary, who train together for their school track team. This moving portrait of an Israeli-Palestinian friendship captures the invisible cloud of tension that skirts the edges of everyday life in Israel.
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 Samir and Yonatan
Daniella Carmi and Yael Lotan (Scholastic, 2002), 183 pages, Older Elementary School (grade 4 and up)
Samir, a Palestinian youth, must undergo an operation at an Israeli hospital and finds himself in a ward with Israeli children, including Yonatan. Despite Yonatan's introverted nature, he befriends Samir and draws him into a world where sickness, fear, and conflict can be overcome.
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 Welcome to Israel
Lilly Rivlin (Behrman House Publishing, 2000), 128 pages, Kindergarten
This book introduces readers to Israeli children living all over Israel. Through interactive and colorful features, children are able to learn about the unique nature of Israel and all the wonderful people who inhabit the land.
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