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“An urgent book about the impact of Israel’s occupation on Palestinian youth …Through the personal stories of Palestinians, Sokolower lays bare daily realities of segregation and displacement … Each chapter in this clear, evocative, moving work shows how Palestinians are routinely harassed, dehumanized, and detained … The narratives and background information vividly show readers how Israel’s occupation affects mental health, education, employment, and everyday familial life, but they also paint a beautiful picture of resistance in the face of harrowing despair.”

—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

“A comprehensive, eye-opening primer, augmented by affecting b&w photos … Sokolower powerfully juxtaposes personal experiences in Silwan alongside examples of racism, structural injustice, and settler colonialism in the U.S., showing how racialized young people in both locations face daily fears of police brutality and housing insecurity while reliving past traumas of displacement and violence.”

—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

Determined to Stay: Palestinian Youth Fight for Their Village

Written by Jody Sokolower and Nick Estes (Foreword by)
Published by Interlink Publishing Group, Incorporated

Silwan is a Palestinian village located just outside the ancient walls of the Old City of Jerusalem. Determined to Stay: Palestinian Youth Fight for Their Village is a moving story of a village and its people.

As Silwani youth and community members share their lives with us, their village becomes an easily accessible way to understand Palestinian history and current reality. Written with young people in mind, the richly illustrated text stresses connections between the lives of youth in the US and Palestine: criminalization of youth, forced relocation, the impact of colonialism on Indigenous communities, efforts to bury history, and inspiring examples of resistance and resilience.

Primary ISBN:
Publication Date: May 2021
Available As: Paperback, eBook
Nonfiction, Young Adult, Age 12 or older

Community Represented:

Themes: , , , , , , , , ,

Setting: Palestine

Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: Refugee or Asylee, Home Country

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