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The author, Barbara Sofer, has written an engaging and informative short book that weaves the fictional story of four friends who represent the various backgrounds of many young Israelis who are about to join the army and the decision-making process for deciding which unit they will serve.
What would your life be like if military service was compulsory, not voluntary?Aggie is eighteen and getting ready to do her service for the Israeli Army. She could get a cushy assignment—maybe pushing paper somewhere—or she could just take her chances. But despite the obstacles in her way, Aggie is trying out for an elite combat unit.
When Jodie begs her dad to take her on an archaeological dig, he agrees to take her to Modi’in, the ancient home of the Maccabees. And when she volunteers to explore an underground cave, she learns that she and the Maccabees, the heroes of the Hanukkah story, have something in common.
This is Israel is one in a series on countries and cities by Miroslav Sasek first published in 1962. The book’s engaging pictures take readers through many famous sites and cities in Israel. Biblical quotes are sprinkled throughout the book, which help the readers make connections to the land of Israel.
When young people read about the “ubiquitous Wall” and other restrictions on West Bank Arabs, they will view Israelis as oppressors and Arabs as victims. Terror attacks and the ethnic cleansing of Jews from the Old City in 1948 must be part of the story.
There’s another name for the West Bank village of Al-Khalil – Hebron, where Abraham purchased a burial cave for Sarah. The Shepherd’s Granddaughter erases Jewish history from the spot, and maligns Jews for poisoning sheep as well.
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