The Lemon Tree by Sandy Tolan

A house in Jerusalem was built and occupied by an Arab family when the Israeli Army evacuated the town where it was located. The deserted house was then sold to a family of Jews immigrating from Bulgaria. The Lemon Tree tells the stories of these real life families who eventually meet and become friends in spite of their political differences. The personal stories are overlaid with a lot of military and political history which is at times difficult reading, but the insight gained makes it worth persevering. Tolan is Jewish but his book is so well balanced that it feels politically neutral. It inspired in me a greater sympathy for the misplaced Palestinians.