I have not read the adult version of The Lemon Tree so I can't compare it to its original publication, but I really enjoyed this. I knew only basic information about the Palestinian-Israeli conflict before reading this so I found it very informative and easy to read.
My biggest critique of this book is that the background to the conflict stretched for longer than I thought it should have before delving back into specifically Dalia and Bashir's friendship. While I think the backstory was important, I think that the timeline should have flipped back and forth more often than the giant chunk of backstory that took place just after Bashir and his brothers first arrived at the house. I found it a bit disjointed and I imagine a younger reader (who the book was primarily meant for) would feel the same.
I liked that the story kept alluding back to the lemon tree and all that it stood for. I think this book was a fantastic way for young readers to learn about this conflict and from two very different perspectives on it, which is so important. I would like to see more books like this for young audiences in the future.

I really enjoyed the adult version of this title when I first read it 6 years ago, at the same time I started working in Jordan. I did not like the young readers' edition as well. I think some of the complexity of the issue was lost in the translation to a version for younger readers. I remember thinking how well the original book presented both sides of the narrative, the Jewish and the Arab. In the young readers' version, I feel like Dalia's voice comes across stronger than Bashir's. But again, this may be because I am now much more vested in the Arab side of the narrative.

Still, this is one of the best books giving a personal face to the two narratives that co-exist in the modern country of Israel. I highly recommend it to help students outside of the Middle East understand a situation that is again attracting global attention.

Review based on a prepublication ARC received through NetGalley.

I am so glad that they made a young readers edition of this book!. It has been on my list for a while now and I just hadn't had the chance to read it. This is such an amazing story of different ethnic backgrounds coming together and creating friendships. I will be adding this to my favorites list and plan to buy both the adult and young readers editions of this lovely book!

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!

The Lemon Tree is an interesting read about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict centered on one house's history. One family has to flee from their home due to conflict and war, while the other moves in to avoid persecution after surviving the Holocaust.
I think this book tries to "not be a history book," but isn't as successful. It reads as a confusing timeline and I found it hard to follow. I think if young readers were to read this, then I would make sure that they create timelines and family trees to understand the story better.

I love everything this book stands for and I would have loved to have read this when I was in school. It encompasses many important life lessons while also teaching history. Well written.