He went to school to learn how to kill me. The Israeli girl who ruined his life. Seven people were killed instead. A single mother of two. A com...
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reviews
Jul 29, 2011
Savannah
rated it: 
It was pretty good had some history in it not as much as I would've expected but it was pretty good. It told about a girls point of veiw in Israel with the bombings and how she got through it all its a pretty good book but I've read better. It was an easy read that had some Arabic in it like dad is Abba!!! I don't remember what mom is but it just show how much can change in a new country, like who you meet, personalities, News, names, meanings, places, foods, takes on subjects, personal business
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Jun 07, 2009
Jill
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I wanted to like this book more than I did. I found the Israel sections more gripping than the UVA sections, but overall I felt like the book suffered because the author tried to make it relatable to the "ordinary" college student. That made the story uneven -- some fascinating material (especially the heroine's military experience) and some lovely descriptions, but overall it was slightly too cliched to really work. Reminded me a little of Naomi Shihab Nye's "Habibi" (which
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Feb 09, 2011
Kerri
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Maya Laor was on her way to meet with her boyfriend at a cafe in Israel, when a suicide bomber attacked the cafe. Of course Maya was stuck in traffic avoiding death, but is left living with the guilty conscious of how this could have been avoided. And so begins this this excellent, engrossing young adult novel.
After the bombing Maya leaves Israel to attend college in Virginia. And is thrown into a new world of youthful, innocent American students. Maya floats through college try More...
After the bombing Maya leaves Israel to attend college in Virginia. And is thrown into a new world of youthful, innocent American students. Maya floats through college try More...
Nov 14, 2007
Julie
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I don't believe you can pass judgment on a book that you haven't finished, so officially, I cannot say what I think of this book. I can say that the plot intrigued me. From the beginning of the book, the reader knows that the protagonist's boyfriend is killed in a suicide bombing. Yet somehow as I made my way through the first half of the book, I began to care less and less about the boyfriend or the protagonist or the narrative itself. I also have an aversion to similes and metaphors that d
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Jul 15, 2009
Jessica
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What a beautifully written and captivating story! I finished this one in a day and a half because the story was compelling and original. While I'm not personally tied to Israel or the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, this was an interesting way to capture one experience without being terribly judgemental. A great story and I look forward to getting my hands on this author's second novel.
Dec 22, 2009
Krista
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As a newcomer to America, Maya Laor comes to flee the memory of her dead boyfriend. Tangled with guilt for his death, she wants a new start. But this is harder than it seems. I really enjoyed the theme and the culture that was in this book. The portrayal of Israel seemed realistic and the relationship seemed very haunting. The flashbacks between America and Israel kept the book interesting and worth reading.
Nov 04, 2008
Kristen
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I just finished reading this book about half an hour ago and I can't even remember the main character's name. Obviously the book didn't affect me all that much! It's about a girl (whose name I can't recall) whose boyfriend was killed in a suicide bombing in Israel. She then narrates the book from both the present day (going to college at the University of Virginia) and from the past (recalling the events that led to tragedy in Israel). I don't think the book was poorly written, although I fo
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May 05, 2009
Odette
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An interesting look about a girl from Israel who then attends college in the United States. It also provided an interesting look at loving and losing and surviving. I don't have anything spectacular to say about this book, but I also don't have anything terribly negative to say about it, either.
Jul 22, 2010
Gwen
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One of those books marketed as a YA novel, but emminently suitable for adults. Probably a little mature for many high school students.
Apr 10, 2009
Darcie
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Dec 25, 2010
Melissa
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This book is amazing! I could hardly put it down. It's about a girl from Israel who goes to the University of Virginia. The narration switches from Israel to Virginia in the chapters. The main character relives memories of her past while venturing through new surroundings. It took the author, Tammar Stein, five years to write this book. So you can be sure that the characters are layered and relatable.
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Jan 08, 2008
Stephanie
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A really good book and an easy read--I read it in one day (I was also on vacation...). The story of a girl who grew up in Isreal and experienced a tramatic event so came to the States to study at UVA. The chapters go back and forth between events in Isreal and present day at UVA.
Jul 23, 2008
Kelly
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This is a teen version of the adult book The Attack (which I love). Shows prejudice between ethnic groups very well. helps the reader to understand the tension between Israelis and Palastinians. I think teens would like this.
Jul 02, 2011
Betsy
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Great young adult book...The main character moves to the US after her boyfriend is killed by a suicide bomber in Israel. She struggles to make sense of her life in a new country while dealing with her guilt for his death.
Jan 31, 2008
Jennifer
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This was an exceptionally good book. Interesting because it focuses on UVA and the Isralei/Palestinian situation. Very well written. Offers a unique perception.
Oct 20, 2008
Janssen
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Not as good as High Dive, but still a lovely, heartbreaking story. She is a fine writer.
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