The Lemon Tree

In history, we have been learning about WWII and the conflicts in the Middle East. My teacher recommended a book to the class. He said it was really good and it relates to some of the conflicts that we learned about. The book was called The Lemon Tree by Sandy Tolan.  Some of my friends had read it already and they said that it was well worth the read. I decided to read the book.

Currently, I am not very far. I am on page 40 and I do like the book so far. In 1967, a Palestinian man named Bashir Al-Khayri and his two cousins returns to the beloved house with the lemon tree where he once lived. His family had fled Israel 19 years ago during the war of 1948. Bashir and his cousins are traveling back to visit their childhood homes and to see what had happened to them once they were left. Upon arrival, Bashir's home is the last one they visit. At the first home, they were greeted by a strange family who freaked out and threatened to call the police on them. The second house had been turned into a school, and the three men were invited in to see the school/former house. Finally, they arrived at Bashir's old house. He was a little apprehensive about ringing the bell, but that is understandable. If some random family had moved into your house without even knowing that someone else owned it, you probably wouldn't be the most comfortable when they open the door. Would they even believe that it was Bashir's house, or would they just get mad at him because he was Palestinian? These questions were things that Bashir was probably thinking about. He rang the doorbell and 19 year old Dalia Eshkenazi Landau answered the door. She is an Israeli college student.

Right now, things are pretty awkward between the two. I predict that Bashir and Dalia will realize how similar they are and that will lead to a friendship that is a little unexpected.