The Almond Tree

by Michelle Cohen and Michelle Cohen Corasanti

Gifted with a mind that continues to impress the elders in his village, Ichmad Hamid struggles with the knowledge that he can do nothing to save his friends and family. Living on Occupied land, his entire village operates in constant fear of losing their homes, jobs and belongings. But more importantly, they fear losing each other. On Ichmad's twelfth birthday, that fear becomes reality. With his father imprisoned, his family's home and possessions confiscated, and his siblings quickly succumbing to hatred in the face of conflict. Ichmad begins an inspiring journey using his intellect to save his poor and dying family. In doing so he reclaims a love for others that was lost through a childhood rife with violence, and discovers a new hope for the future.

• ISBN10: 1859643299
• ISBN13: 9781859643297
• Publish Date: 11 October 2012 (first published 1 January 2012)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: GB
• Imprint: Garnet Publishing
• Format: Paperback
• Pages: 348
• Language: English

Reviews

[Whitney @ First Impressions Reviews]

Recently, my dad asked what I was reading and I replied "The Almond Tree". His response was "That sounds boring". He could not be farther from the truth. You should never judge a book by its title.

From the start it is made clear that The Almond Tree is a dark, heartbreaking story of adversity, race and being able to rise above it all.

The Almond Tree, strangely enough reminds me of Life of Pi minus the animals and the raft. Huh you may ask, where is the comparison? I find the lead characters, Pi and Ichmad to be of the same mold and fictional or no are someone to look up to. Thus, when he befalls hard times a little bit of the reader in me died.

In all honesty The Almond Tree made me sad. Although I could not stop reading, longing to hear Ichmad's story, rooting for him all the way, and just when I thought there was a speck of light at the end of the tunnel, BAM, his brother is gravely injured or BAM his wife is killed. Seriously? Talk about kicking a dog when it's down. What added insult to injury (for me) was the fact that he always put others before himself, living in a borderline dump while studying in the U.S. in order to send money home to his family and agreeing to an arranged marriage because he knows it would make them happy. Aww, where can I find one of those?

I wish I could say The Almond Tree had a happy ending but I found it bittersweet. Ichmad becomes successful and happy in his marriage. As for his brother, I wish I could say the same. Crippled and bitter after his accident he has gone underground only to resurface years later in Gaza. The descriptions of the environment there had my eyes wide open and shocked beyond words. Devastation that can only end in heartbreak. The Almond Tree reminds you that the world is not a perfect place and stays with you long after the last page has been turned.

I received a readers copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

This is a debut novel by Michelle Cohen Corasanti, who writes a story during the time of poverty, war, and hope in the Middle East. Written from the point of view of a young boy and into his childhood, you will become attached to the characters, their trials, and emotions throughout.
The author does a fantastic job expressing the concepts, meaning and message of this powerfully written story, not to mention the lingering effects it will have on you long after you finished the book!
I truly enjoyed every page of this book and couldn't put it down.
I highly recommend this. (NOT suitable for kids or tweens)

Disclaimer
*I received a copy of this book in a First Reads giveaway in exchange for an honest review. This in no way affected my opinion of the book or the content disclosed in my review. *