21 Books Set in + About Palestine

Beginning before the Six-Day War of 1967, Salt Houses follows the generations of a single family as the are displaced from Palestine and then are displaced over and over again as conflict seems to follow them. This is a book with a lot of tragedy, as family members try to understand how to live and find their place in a complicated world. But it is also a book with so much love. It’s about family who has been together through so much. For fans of literary and historical fiction.

Nahr has lived her life in displacement. The daughter of Palestinian refugees, she has led an unforgiving life, finding herself in Kuwait, Jordan, and Iraq before finally landing back in Palestine. The catch is, she writing this story from prison. But how did she end up there? For fans of literary fiction.

In 1948, the Abulhejos, a Palestinian family, are displaced to refugee camps. This multi-generational family story is full of love and heartbreak. The story of this family hoping to return home is told through the eyes of one female member of the family, Amal. For fans of historical fiction and family sagas.

In 1949, one year after the Nabka, when hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were displaced, a Palestinian teenager is raped and murdered by Israeli soldiers. Years later, a woman becomes obsessed with this case, wanting to uncover the truth of what happened and what this history means for the present. For fans of literary fiction and crime narratives.

In this anthology collection, a variety of Palestinian voices share short stories about life in Gaza. They reflect on loss, grief, and trauma while also containing love and hope. For fans of short stories and literary fiction.

Palestine is a non-fiction graphic novel about Palestine and the suffering conflict has brought their communities. Sacco spent several months in Palestine researching, and here he gives us the perspective of a variety of Palestinians. Originally two volumes, this has now been published as one, and it is for fans of graphic novels.

In this non-fiction graphic novel about Palestine, Sacco examines a lesser known incident in 1956 in which 111 Palestinians were killed by Israeli soldiers. Weaving this into the more complicated history of Palestine and Israel, Sacco tells the story of a this complex conflict. For fans of graphic novels.

After living in exile for 30 years, poet Mourid Barghouti returns to Palestine and reflects on how his memories compare to the current state of his homeland. For fans of memoir and reflective writing.

In this memoir set in Palestine, Ehrenrich, a journalist, spends three years living with Palestinian families. Here, he tells the stories of his time there and of these families and how the decades-long conflict has impacted their lives. For fans of travel writing.

If you want a fairly comprehensive history of Palestine, this may be the book for you. Khalidi is the great-great-nephew of a Jerusalem mayor who first sounded an alarm on occupation in 1899. Here, he shares the history of how the Palestinian people have been displaced through conflict, violence, and colonialism. For fans of history non-fiction.

In 1991, Said received a medical diagnosis that would limit his life. After this news, he decided to write a memoir about his homeland, about his memories of Palestine and his life in exile, and about trying to find his place in the world. For fans of memoirs and coming of age stories.

In 1993, Amira Hass went to Gaza to cover a story and ended up living there for an extended period of time. Here, she writes to bring the lives of everyday Palestinians to the page, from their hopes and dreams to their pains and grief as they have suffered so very much. For fans of journalistic non-fiction.

Celebrated Palestinian poet Marmoud Darwish wrote this book when he learned he would soon die. This is a lyrical tribute to life and death and Palestine and home. For fans of poetry.

In this memoir, Halaby travels to Palestine, the home of her family and a place she strongly identifies with despite only knowing if from her mother’s memories. While teaching conflict resolution at a local school, she explores the landmarks of her family’s history and eventually helps her mother make a return. For fans of memoir.

A collection of poetry that reflects on colonialism, exile, and the violence Israel’s occupation of Palestine. The title of the book comes from Mohammed El-Kurd’s grandmother, Rifqa, who lived to be 103 years old and was always fighting for justice and for her home. This book is for poetry lovers.

Reema loves watching her grandmother in the kitchen. One day, a drop of spilled olive oil prompts Sitti to tell Reema all about the olive harvest in Palestine, where Sitti gets her olive oil sent from each year. Recommended ages: 5 and up.

Mona visits her grandmother in Palestine, and although they can’t speak the same language, they develop their own ways of communicating. Recommended ages: 5-8 years.

What Saamidah asks her father what her name means, he takes her on a rich imaginative journey through Palestine. This book touches on Palestinian cities, food, and traditions. Recommended ages: 6 and up.

Palestinian-American fifth grader, Farah, is excited about the possibility of going to the Magnet Academy with her best friend for sixth-grade. But when her younger brother starts being bullied at school, she wonders if it’s the right decision. Recommended ages: 8-12 years.

Under military occupation in Palestine, two boys turn a piece of unoccupied land into a soccer field. But when curfew sets in, they must be careful. Recommended ages: 9-12 years.

When Liyana moves from St. Louis to her family’s homeland of Palestine, she feels lost. But then she meets a new friend, Omer who helps her feel more at home. Only he is Jewish, and their friendship isn’t understood by their families. Recommended ages: 12 and up.