So here it is, better late than never, the review of ‘The Olive Tree’ read first in 2015!

Here it is, better late than never, the review of ‘The Olive Tree’ read first in 2015!

A book about friendship, helping your neighbors, about conflict turning to peace, about division turning to unity.

Sameer is looking forward to the fact that his neighbors are returning after many years, now that the ‘long war is over’; and hoping for a friend. But that is not what happens. Muna, the girl who returns next door chooses to ignore Sameer. And while one war has ended, a war of another kind begins over the olive tree that has been between the two homes for over a hundred years.

Sameer is told not to take the olives that were falling into his yard, since the tree belongs to Muna’s family. The story takes a turn when a storm blows in and paves a path for new beginnings.

Elsa Marston crafts a sweet story that talks about tough times as seen through the eyes of a child; and Claire Ewart’s watercolors lend the perfect balance to her words by giving a glimpse into beautiful Lebanon while using colors to add to the emotional content of the story.

In Summary
A great book to add to your child’s library; and definitely to classroom libraries for elementary school age children. This book offers a message of hope, goodwill, sharing and caring, friendship, and (literally) an olive tree of peace!

Rating: 4/5
Reading Level: 5 – 8 years (and above!)
Reread Level: 4/5 (to understand the messages and the symbolism, and to enjoy the illustrations)

Disclaimer: Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the original digital review copy of the book. These are my honest opinions.