Instead, Joshua's curiosity, innocence, and even ignorance are entirely genuine, as he moves from his small personal rebellion to bolder, socially grounded ones, and his questions, his confusion, and his eventual enlightenment become the reader's own. The novel definitely has a lesson to teach, but the parable-like structure resists being heavy-handed. Grounded in the harsh realities of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict over the occupied territories, this lovely, deeply moving novel tells a universal story of understanding and friendship that will be accessible even to those unfamiliar with the underlying political and cultural struggle. Soon, however, his visits unwittingly place him and Leila's family in danger, and Joshua must take a final risk himself to save those who have risked so much for his sake. Repeated visits bring him closer to Leila and her family, and he learns that the conflict between the two sides is not as straightforward, and his new friends are not as savage, as he's been told. After being chased by street thugs, he is saved by Leila, a girl who hides him and helps him return.

When he discovers a hidden tunnel that leads beneath the Wall, Joshua feels the lure of the forbidden and ventures into the unknown territory. Thirteen-year-old Joshua has spent four years living in the shadow of an enormous wall that he believes protects his peaceful, modern city from the violent inhabitants of the ramshackle village just beyond.

The wall book william sutcliffe