The Olive Tree

K-Gr 3—This story, set in the contemporary Middle East, is about two neighbors and the ancient olive tree that stands between them. One family had "gone away during the troubles" but has now returned. In the meantime, Sameer and his family have enjoyed the best olives in Lebanon. Claiming ownership of the tree and its fruits, young Muna refuses to share, until a majestic storm, gloriously illustrated in swirling blues, destroys the troublesome tree. While the adults drift sadly back to their own houses, the two children work together to clean up the broken branches and stack them for firewood, each at the other's house. The style of writing is simple, direct, and accessible. Large watercolor paintings vary in viewpoint from one family's side of the wall to the other, until the tree is gone and Sameer and Muna cross over to each other's houses. Both mothers wear hijab, an authentic cultural detail for a country in which 54 percent of the population is Muslim. However, there is no explanation of "the troubles" or why Muna's family, "different from most people in the village," had gone away. Pair this title with Florence Parry Heide and Judith Heide Gilliland's Sami and the Time of the Troubles (Clarion, 1992) to provide background on family life during the 1975 Lebanese Civil War.—Toby Rajput, National Louis University, Skokie, IL