FROM THE PUBLISHER

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is unlike any other situation in the world today. It's in the news daily, can spark intense emotional arguments, and influences American foreign policy.
Yet, a real understanding of this heated conflict is hard to come by.
In Understanding the Holy Land, Mitch Frank offers straightforward explanations. Answering questions from "What is intifada?" to "Why is peace so hard?" Frank carefully covers the significant developments of this complex disagreement.
Written in a question-and-answer format for sixth-graders and up, and illustrated with black-and-white photos and maps, this book will help young people understand the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and its significance to the world.

Author Bio: Jean Thesman lives in Washington State.

FROM THE CRITICS

Booklist - starred review

Evenhanded and honest.

Publishers Weekly

A trio of nonfiction titles delves into meaty topics. The forthright volume Understanding the Holy Land: Answering Questions About the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict by Mitch Frank, with chapter heads that read like a list of FAQs, may well help young people make sense of the complexities in the Middle East. The author attempts to objectively lay out the issues, focusing on the land and "religious dispute," and moves from a map of the region to chapters called "Who were the Israelis before there was a state of Israel?" and "Who were the Palestinians before they became known as Palestinians?" He ends with an exploration of the question that has stumped adults, too, "Why is peace so hard?" A timeline and glossary help readers get their bearings, and occasional b&w photos break up the text. Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Children's Literature - Carlee Hallman

The Palestinian-Israeli conflict is here explained in a clear, balanced way. Each side's claim to the land is given historical perspective. The founding of Israel as a nation is shown to be related to growing Arab nationalism. Events leading up to the Occupied Territories, intifada, and the Oslo Peace process are detailed. Insight is given into the rise of terrorism. The leadership of Yasser Arafat and Ariel Sharon is characterized. Maps and photographs add interest and aid understanding. It is pointed out that while this conflict is frequently shown on our evening news, other countries—such as China and Japan—do not give it much attention. Young people are encouraged to work for peaceful solutions by starting on a personal level. There is an extensive timeline of events, a glossary, and an index. This succinct and interesting historical account will be a help to anyone who wants to see the larger picture behind the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. 2005, Penguin Young Readers Group/Viking, Ages 12 up.

School Library Journal

Gr 6-9-In simple, straightforward language, making no assumptions about any prior knowledge, Frank tackles the task of sorting out the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He begins with a concise political history of the Jews and of the area's Arabs. He tries hard for objectivity, and usually reports feelings on both sides impartially. Occasionally he is less successful. At the outset, for example, he states that "Israelis have controlled all of the land [Israel sits on] for several decades, and Palestinians have fought them to try and take it." Adding the word "back" to the end of that succinct summary would change it radically, and its absence is significant. Nevertheless, the author usually succeeds in representing both sides' hopes and failures in this painful contest. He untangles the complexity by organizing his material effectively. His overall tactic is to use questions as section headings, so that the entire book is a kind of FAQ. Frank includes a helpful glossary (Yom Kippur is missing) and a two-page bibliography of adult books and newspaper and magazine articles. The black-and-white photos and simple maps are few but significant. At the end, Frank manages to give readers some not unrealistic hope for a solution. His book is itself a valuable contribution to that possibility.-Patricia D. Lothrop, St. George's School, Newport, RI Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

This very balanced presentation of the historical background to and causes of the age-old enmity between the two groups is suited to older students and adult readers alike. Frank's account, laid out in a question-and-answer format, is clearly written but not simplistic. He discloses truths and the misconceptions that each side has about the other, and he finds fault on both sides as well. Readers will have no trouble understanding from this intelligent work that both groups have ample reason to lay deep historic, religious and ethnic claims to the small plot of land that is Israel and that there is justification for their various demands. The author, a reporter for Time, backs up his arguments about each side's plight and profound distrust for the other with solid, unemotional, focused writing. Teachers, take note: This is an excellent springboard to current-events discussions. (maps, glossary, bibliography) (Nonfiction. 12+)