cover image Running on Eggs

Running on Eggs

Annalee Levine, Anna Levine. Cricket Books, $15.95 (128pp) ISBN 978-0-8126-2875-3

Set in contemporary Israel, this thought-provoking first novel defines the problems a Jewish girl encounters when she befriends an Arab schoolmate. Although she has been raised to view Arabs as the enemy, 13-year-old Karen is drawn to her track teammate Yasmine, who shares her love of running. Both dream of winning an upcoming meet to qualify for a competition in Spain. But when Yasmine's father will not allow her to wear the ""immodest"" uniform of shorts, Yasmine must leave the team. However, she offers to help Karen train for the race. Knowing their friends and family would disapprove, the two meet secretly in ""no man's land,"" an overgrown lot dividing Karen's kibbutz from Yasmine's village. Tension mounts when Yasmine's older brother spies the girls together, and Karen, sensing impending danger, is forced to choose where her loyalties lie. This realistic story offers a peaceful resolution of its potentially volatile conflicts; a timely and sympathetic treatment. Ages 10-up. (Nov.)