1967 –
Since 1967, the Middle East has been marked by ongoing conflict and instability. The Arab-Israeli conflict continued after the Six-Day War, leading to multiple wars and persistent tensions between Israel and its neighbors. Afghanistan became another focal point of conflict, with decades of war, including the Soviet invasion, the rise of the Taliban, and the U.S.-led invasion after 9/11. The region has also seen wars in Lebanon, Iraq, and Syria, fueled by religious, political, and territorial disputes. Global powers have been deeply involved, making the Middle East a hotbed of international conflict and change.
Picture books
Malala’s Magic Pencil
Powerful story of Malala’s struggle with and hope for her world
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Nasreen’s Secret School: A True Story from Afghanistan
Inspiring true story of a girl attending a secret school in Afghanistan
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The Cat Man of Aleppo
True story of a man who stays behind during the Syrian Civil War to help the wounded, and ends up caring for cats too
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Snow in Jerusalem
Story of two Jerusalem boys, one Muslim and one Jewish, forming a friendship
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Sitti’s Bird: A Gaza Story
Story of a Palestinian girl in Gaza using painting to cope with war
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The Librarian of Basra: A True Story from Iraq
True story about an Iraqi librarian’s struggle to save her books during conflict
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Silent Music: A Story of Baghdad
Beautiful story of a Baghdad boy coping with war through art
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Stepping Stones: A Refugee Family’s Journey
Powerful story of a refugee family’s journey from the Syrian civil war
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My Name Is Malala
Board book introduction to Malala’s life and activism, for young readers
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The Library Bus
Story inspired by the first library bus in Afghanistan during the Taliban’s first regime
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Chapter books
The Breadwinner
Riveting story of a girl who disguises herself as a boy to provide for her family during the Taliban’s first regime
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6,000 Miles to Freedom: Two Boys and Their Flight from the Taliban
Story of two boys seeking refuge from the Taliban and war-torn Afghanistan
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Ida in the Middle
Story about Palestinian-American girl magically experiencing what her life would have been if her parents hadn’t left Jerusalem
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Habibi
Story of an American girl moving with her family to Jerusalem and experiencing the effects of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict
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A Little Piece of Ground
Powerful book about a Palestinian boy trying to find normality during the chaos of conflict
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