Three Wishes: Israeli and Palestinian Children Speak

Very recently, I have been seeking out more information on the genre of youth nonfiction. I have been looking for books that introduce topics to children in accurate yet kid-friendly, digestible ways--especially about conflict, current events and history. Due to the current conflict in Gaza and the frenzy of emails about it on the SRRTAC listserv (Social Responsibility Resource Table of the American Library Association: http://www.libr.org/srrt) I have been striving to learn as much as I can and compile resources that tell the whole complicated story so that I too, can be an informed citizen and peace activist.

Deborah Ellis’ book, Three Wishes: Israeli and Palestinian Children Speak is an impactful collection of interviews with children through the region. I encourage adults to read it too. Her ability to infuse facts about the history of the conflict with the stories of kids’ real experiences growing up in Jerusalem, Ramallah, the West Bank and elsewhere in the region is really impressive. As is her ability to stay neutral and informative when writing on one of the most divisive and polarizing conflicts in current times. These children's stories will break your heart. Every single child interviewed in this collection knows someone who has been killed by bombs, and each child lives in fear and even with what we would call tell-tale signs of post-traumatic stress disorder. Yet, there are so many aspects of their stories which are universally childhood. their interests, relationships with siblings, school experiences etc. For most kids, this book should be accompanied by facilitated discussion with either a teacher or parent due to the intensity of the topic but I hope more schools and families will choose to use Ellis' works when talking to their kids about current events.

Here is a list of other books and articles that have been brought to my attention related to Palestine and Israel. Some of them I have read, others not but all have come highly recommended by librarians and professors subscribing to SRRT:

A Time to Speak Out: Independent Jewish Voices on Israel, Zionism and Jewish Identity "Jewish voices challenge the crude polarities of the Israel/Palestine debate"

The Civilizing Power of Slaughter (the Dissident Voice)

The Dialogue Project: http://www.thedialogueproject.org/

The Electronic Intifada: http://electronicintifada.net/

Books by Raja Shehadeh: When the Birds Stopped Singing: Life in Ramallah Under Siege, Palestinian Walks: Forays into a Vanishing Landscape, Strangers in the House: Coming of Age in Occupied Palestine.

The Palestinian-Israeli Conflict in Film:

GAZA STRIP
"GAZA STRIP follows a range of people and events following the election of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, including the first major armed incursion into "Area A" by Israeli Defense Forces. The film is filmed almost entirely in a verite style, presented without narration and with little explanation, focusing on ordinary Palestinians rather than on politicians and pundits. More observation than political argument."
Directed by James Longley Palestine/USA Documentary 2002 74 minutes
In Arabic with English subtitles

ENCOUNTER POINT
"A riveting documentary...blazes with a kind of spiritual grace." --Village Voice
Directed by Ronit Avni & Julia Bacha Israel-Palestine-USA 85 minutes 2006
In English, Arabic and Hebrew with English subtitles