Writers Matter: Empowering Voices of Israeli and Palestinian Teens – Cultural Narrative Building through Writing

This book provides a rare and unique window into the lives of children ages 12 to 14 living in one of the most tense and complicated regions of the world, full of conflict and violence. Listen to the voices and feelings of Israeli and Palestinian children, as they freely share them with each other. No matter what side of the fence/wall they live, these children often write about anguish, fear, and hopelessness. These challenges are not only rooted in their worlds of religious and political conflict, but also in everyday problems of communication common within friends and family. The Israeli-Jewish, Israeli-Palestinian/Arab or Palestinian living in the Palestinian Territories, all share an uncertain future and face seemingly insurmountable challenges each day of their lives. However, regardless of geographical location, religion, politics, or personal trauma, they all share one thing in common - they have big dreams for the future. Writers Matter motivates students to write about their lives and dreams, learn essential writing skills and help better understand themselves and others. Through engaged learning the children find a new freedom leading to a real sense of “empowerment.”