Checkpoints by Marilyn Levy tells the story of seventeen year old Noa who lives in Israel. Noa lives in constant fear of suicide bombers and is frightened by Arabs in general. When an incident happens locking down her sister's college campus Noa and her sister let an Arab girl stay with them in her dorm room. This is the start of an unusual friendship.
This was a very good book that will help kids get a basic understanding of the situation in Israel. While the story follows Noa who is a Jew we learn a little bit about the Palestinian viewpoint from her friendship with Maha and how complicated the situation really is. My only real problem with the book was Noa's age. I felt like the story was not complex enough for older teen readers and is really written for the middle grade audience. If Noa was 12 or 14 this story would speak more to that audience. I enjoyed the story and felt like I learned a bit without feeling like I was stuck in an afterschool special.
Appropriateness: There is no adult content in this book. There is a bit of romance but nothing that would put off even a very young reader. I would recommend this book to readers 10-14.
Review copy provided by publisher
