A Little Piece of Ground

December 1, 2006
Gr 6-10-Karim, a 12-year-old Palestinian boy, works with two friends to transform an abandoned lot in Ramallahthe little piece of groundinto a soccer field and a getaway from the trials of both family and life under occupation. Hopper, a new friend who had until recently lived in a refugee camp and whose older brother is in the custody of the Israelis, and Joni, a Christian boy whose family has always been close to Karims, represent in some ways the opposite poles that Karim yo-yos between. Hopper is somewhat suspect, simply because he was a refugee. Furthermore, his actions are brash and defiant; he stands up to an Israeli tank, brandishing an eggplant like a grenade and swinging from its gun. The town is put under Israeli curfew, and first Hopper and later Karim are shot at by soldiers and wounded, Karim seriously enough to require hospitalization. Throughout this powerful narrative, the authors remain true to Karims character and reactions. He is a typical self-centered adolescent who longs to hang out with his friends, go to school, and play sports. His parents and relatives provide some of the necessary background information and commentary about the occupation. At the books end, Karim is allowed to spend time outside for the first time since his wound, and is reunited with Hopper. The boys attend a celebration and are chillingly greeted as heroes. As notable in its way as James D. Formans historical novels of the late 60s and 70s, "A Little Piece of Ground" deserves serious attention and discussion."Coop Renner, Hillside Elementary, El Paso, TX"

Copyright 2006 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 15, 2006
What is it like to live under military occupation in Palestine? Laird explores the question through the viewpoint of Karim, 12, desperate to get out of his apartment in Ramallah, where yet another curfew has kept everyone locked up since a suicide bomber killed people in Israel. Even when the curfew is lifted, Karim remains bitter and angry; his grandfather's land has been confiscated, his father humiliated in a strip search, and his school has been trashed. Karim, his Christian friend, and a Muslim boy, whose brother is in a Jerusalem prison, band together and attempt to clear space for a soccer field. Then the tanks roll in again, and Karim barely escapes. Although this is largely a docu-novel, the heartbreaking personal drama visualizes the realistic challenges of wartime life at home, as well as the diversity of opinion about religion, class, and politics in the community. Recommend this with books from the Israeli viewpoint, such as Pnina Moed Kass' " Real Time" (2004).(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2006, American Library Association.)