In celebration of Israel’s upcoming 60th birthday, here’s a list of books you and your kids shouldn’t miss:

For You:

Home to Stay: One American Family’s Chronicle of Miracles and Struggles in Contemporary Israel by Daniel Gordis

Six Days of War: June 1967 and the Making of the Modern Middle East by Michael Oren

The most comprehensive book on the subject, written by a true scholar and Israeli political insider.

The Case for Israel by Alan Dershowitz

Exodus by Leon Uris

A must-read, as I did before my first trip to Israel

What Israel Means to Me: By 80 Prominent Writers by Alan Dershowitz

The Hope by Herman Wouk

True history woven into the lives of fictional characters between 1948 and 1967 in Israel.

The Chosen by Chaim Potok

The classic novel set in New York City in 1947. 

For Your Teens/Tweens:

Homeland: An Illustrated History of the State of Israel by Marv Wolfman

A very cool-looking book, with lifelike illustrations and tons of factual information

Running on Eggs by Anna Levine

Two Israeli teens, one Jewish and one Arab, strike up a friendship on the track team.

How to Ruin a Summer Vacation by Simone Elkeles

Going to Israel with her estranged father is not how Amy wants to spend her summer.

The Bat-Chen Diaries by Bat-Chen Shahak

In march 1996 Bat-Chen Shahak and two friends were among fifteen people killed by a suicide bomber in Tel Aviv's Dizengoff Center.  It was her 15th birthday.  Her family gathered her diaries, notebooks, letters and drawing into this moving book.

For Your Younger Children:

Sammy Spider’s First Trip to Israel by Sylvia Rouss

Welcome to Israel by Lilly Rivlin

Let’s Visit Israel by Judyth Groner

And Shira Imagined by Giora Carmi

Keeping Israel Safe:  Serving in the Israel Defense Forces by Barbara Sofer

It's Israel's Birthday! by Ellen Dietrick

(You can order copies of "It's Israel's Birthday" directly from the author by emailing Ellen Dietrick at preschool@cbicville.org)

Check out Israel 60 events in Israel and around the world at www.israelat60.org

Previous Recommendations:

The Next Big Thing

Parenting

Summer Reading

Mother-Daughter Books

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