A Little Piece of Ground by Elizabeth Laird doesn’t offer any promises of a peaceful future that favors both parties. It just wants to be heard, so that in hearing, people can know.

“A Little Piece of Ground” by Elizabeth Laird is a story of teenagers who have to grow up in a world where tanks are as common as buses, and centuries of land ownership can be cut with just a bullet. Set in Israeli occupied Palestine, ”A Little Piece of Ground” offers a glimpse of a perspective that is rarely seen. The ages long strife between Palestine and Israel in the book is tangible and does not budge an inch.

Usually my sympathies lay with the other side of this fence. I read this book thinking how nice it would be to see how the other side lived. I realized a very strong truth that rocked me to my soul: Palestinians are people too. They too feel the pain and suffering of war. Even if the Israelis have a long standing history of misery, this does not mean that this is an excuse to inflict anguish on another race. This is a truth that everyone must learn. We must extend grace when it is not deserved. Yes, it takes superhuman effort. But I promise you, it is well worth it.

Recommended for people who want their eyes opened and their hearts burdened.

And that’s “A Little Piece of Ground” unclanked!