Sharing Our Homeland

May 31, 2010
This polished photo-essay by the creators of Everglades Forever is set at a day camp in Israel where Israeli and Palestinian children come together "not as enemies, but as campers, as children, and maybe, as friends." Marx's direct narrative and Karp's mostly candid, action-filled photos focus on two campers: Alya, an Israeli Palestinian girl and Yuval, an Israeli Jewish boy. After introducing their families and providing a capsule history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Marx offers an upbeat, present-tense description of camp life, which involves standard on-site activities as well as field trips to a kibbutz and an Arab village. Readers learn about each culture as campers visit museums and bake and break traditional breads in both places. Realities of the kids' turbulent homeland also surface: emergency responders giving a presentation demonstrate how a remote-controlled robot can be used to take care of suspicious objects, and Marx notes that the campers "have lived with the possibility of violence their entire lives." It's an informative, uplifting portrait of friendships forged in a peaceful oasis and a commitment to understanding and tolerance. Ages 6–11.