This personal, true account of a Palestinian Arab youth brings to the forefront of social, economic, and military aspects of the conflict in the Middle East. Mahmud is a young boy when he begins his diary—a gift from an older cousin who wishes to see Mahmud become more proficient in English and further his education. Mahmud's personal reflections tell of his daily life in an Arab village, his relationships with friends and family, his thoughts about Arabs and Jews. His first trip to a refugee camp is a bewildering and disturbing experience for Mahmud, and his terrifying and dangerous escape to Quwait is a heart-pounding, fingernail biting episode. Mahmud's story brings greater insight and understanding to the problems that plague this area of the world. From the inside of the book