The Almond Tree by Michelle Cohen Corasanti

This book sheds light on the disgusting violence and human rights violations that have been committed against Arabic Palestinians since the 1940s. It shows the damage hatred can create, but it is also a story about great love and great sacrifice, about honoring one's roots while being true to one's self, about choosing peace instead of vengeance.

A mathematical genius, Ichmad Hamid grows up as the oldest son in an Arabic family living in a ravaged village of the Jewish-occupied Palestine. He and his family must endure brutal violence and great loss, but through it all Ichmad's noble father teaches him to treat his enemies with sympathy instead of hatred and to embrace his strengths to make something of himself against all odds.

I found this well-written book to be very enlightening and inspiring. The ideas presented in this story have the power to change the world!

I received this book free through Goodreads First Reads