Under the Domim Tree

Reach for this book when your teenager is wrestling with questions of identity, the weight of family history, or the feeling of being an outsider even among peers. Set in a 1950s Israeli youth village, it follows Aviya and her classmates as they navigate the transition from childhood to adulthood while carrying the profound scars of the Holocaust. This is a deeply moving exploration of how young people build a sense of belonging when their foundations have been shaken. The story balances the heavy themes of grief and historical trauma with the universal experiences of teenage friendship, first crushes, and the search for one's own voice. Parents might choose this book to help a child process collective trauma, understand the immigrant experience, or foster empathy for those living with invisible burdens. It is a sophisticated, realistic portrayal of resilience that respects the emotional maturity of older readers.