The Lemon Tree: An Arab, a Jew, and the Heart of the Middle East

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. The book explores themes of displacement and longing through Bashir’s and Dalia’s perspectives. Have you ever faced or witnessed situations where home or identity was contested? How did it shape your perspective on belonging and loss?

2. Bashir and Dalia’s friendship is marked by moments of connection and tension due to their contrasting narratives about the same land. Have you experienced relationships where differing perspectives challenged your ability to connect? How did you navigate those differences?

3. Dalia chooses to live in Bashir’s family home, grappling with the knowledge of the family’s displacement. Have you ever found yourself in a position where understanding another’s pain was part of your personal growth? How did it impact you?

4. The book discusses the generational impacts of historical events. Do you see echoes of these themes in your own family or community, where past events continue to shape current values or relationships?

5. The lemon tree serves as a symbol of shared roots and hope despite division. Are there symbols or objects in your own life that carry a similar meaning of connection amid conflict? How do they resonate with your personal experiences?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. Set against the backdrop of the post-World War II era and the creation of Israel, the book highlights the displacement of Palestinian families. How does this historical context inform the dynamics between Bashir and Dalia, and in what ways does it resonate with the ongoing struggles and displacement faced by Palestinians today?

2. The book emphasizes themes of shared humanity despite cultural and historical divisions. How do these themes resonate with current societal efforts to address polarization, whether in political, racial, or cultural contexts?

3. Both The Lemon Tree by Sandy Tolan and As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh explore the impact of political conflict on personal lives. How do the protagonists in each book navigate their identities and relationships amidst the turmoil of their respective settings?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. Both Bashir and Dalia are portrayed as deeply committed to their respective narratives of identity and justice. How does Sandy Tolan develop their character arcs to reflect the broader historical and cultural struggles of their communities?

2. The lemon tree becomes a central symbol in the story, representing shared roots, hope, and division. How does the author use this symbol to convey the emotional and thematic layers of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?

3. The setting, from the Palestinian village of Al-Ramla to the state of Israel, plays a critical role in shaping the tone of the narrative. How does Tolan’s vivid depiction of these places contribute to the historical and emotional weight of the story?

4. Themes of displacement, resilience, and the search for justice are central to the book. How does Tolan weave these themes into the personal experiences of Bashir and Dalia to create a broader commentary on the human cost of conflict?