In Palestine today, a fourth generation of children and young people are growing up experiencing life under occupation. These are children who know only fear when they see an Israeli soldier or come across a roadblock.

This book provides a platform for children and young people, from all over this occupied land, to speak in their own voices about the day-to-day experience of living under occupation. It begins with an explanation of what the occupation means for those living under it, and is followed by the heart of the book: nine sections, each one focusing on one of the places visited by the authors. At the end, there is a timeline showing the main events that led up to the occupation.

As you read their words, you will see that what these young people want is a stable family life, security where they live, the freedom to move around their country, safety and space in which to grow up and dream of a future. They are just like young people everywhere; it is only the circumstances of their lives that are so different.

The young people in this book share with you their hopes and fears for themselves and their country and in so doing lay open their humanity.