Determined to Stay: Palestinian Youth Fight for Their Village

A parent would reach for this book when their teenager is asking complex questions about global justice, Middle Eastern history, or the parallels between different marginalized groups. It is an essential resource for families navigating the heavy emotions of seeing conflict in the news, providing a humanizing lens through which to view the Palestinian experience. Through interviews conducted by a social studies teacher, the book explores the daily lives and resistance of youth in Silwan, a village in East Jerusalem. While the subject matter includes heartbreaking accounts of home demolitions and arrests, the core of the book is about resilience and the deep connection to one's land. It is most appropriate for mature middle schoolers and high schoolers who are ready to engage with real-world political struggles and historical context. Parents will appreciate the way it fosters critical thinking by connecting the Palestinian struggle to the history of Indigenous peoples in North America, making global issues feel immediate and relevant.