“Michelle has captured the pain, the sense of betrayal, the daily life, and the spirit of triumph that is ultimately an accurate portrayal of the Palestinians. Her instrument is fiction but her powerful prose and compelling characters raises The Almond Tree to the status of epic – the heroic story of a people just like us.” – John Zogby founder, Zogby International and author, The Way We’ll Be: The Zogby Report on the Transformation, The American Dream

“This powerful debut novel by Michelle Cohen is a compelling narrative of how the human spirit can overcome overwhelming odds by transforming what seems to be a hopeless situation into a life that is full of opportunities…Her description of everyday life as it interacts with family traditions, cultural norms, and political realities, is rich and vivid. In the hands of a less knowledgeable and skillful writer, some of the details she gives could become stereotypical. That is not the case here, as Cohen reveals her extensive knowledge of the Hebrew and Arabic Languages and cultures, as well as her understanding of both sides of the political conflict. The Almond Tree tells an inspirational story that is moving, thought provoking, and engaging. It is a narrative of hope for building a better future based on the recognition of the humanity of all people and on the belief that love and understanding can overcome violence and mistrust. This is a page-turner that deserves to be read widely.” – Professor Samir Abu-Absi, Professor Emeritus of English at the University of Toledo. Writer and editor, American Arabs in Toledo

“Rarely does a reader encounter a first novel so rich in irony, compassion, power, and the sheer beauty of timeless and universal truths. The Almond Tree is a novel that matters, that reminds us of what makes us all different and, more importantly, what makes us all the same.” Mark Spencer author, The Masked Demon, A Haunted Love Story and The Weary Motel