By
– February 13, 2012
This title fills a void in children’s literature about Israel. With the interest that Israel’s 60th anniversary brings, it will surely garner attention. This short paperback book tells you everything you would want to know about the Israeli military, in kid-friendly language. The author has accomplished this in an original way with the introduction of four teenage friends who meet at the end of camp every year for hamburgers. The four teens are seniors this year and will be going in the military after graduation, so they discuss what branch they want to join. The book proceeds in chapters and covers the history of the IDF and the various branches of service, such as the Air Force, the Navy, the Intelligence Service, and the Army. It also covers Alternative Service (Sherut Leumi). Each of the teens selects a different service, so this gives a personal slant to the branches, and allows us to follow their choices. There are appealing photos that relate to the text both in black and white and color. The book also includes the structure of the Israel Defense Forces and gives the military ranks in both in English and Hebrew. Ages 7 – 12.
Barbara Silverman had an M.L.S. from Texas Woman’s University. She worked as a children’s librarian at the Corpus Christi Public Libraries and at the Corpus Christi ISD before retiring. She worked as a volunteer at the Astor Judaic Library of the Lawrence Family JCC in La Jolla, CA. Sadly, Barbara passed away is 2012.