Homeland, A graphic novel conceived by William J. Rubin, published by Nachshon Press, Written by Marv Wolfman and illustrated by Mario Ruiz, was today awarded the prestigious Best Children's and Young Adults Literature award by the Jewish Book Council organization. It is the third such award that the historical graphic novel has received, all from non-comics industry institutes, along with resounding acclaim and landslide favorable reviews from across the cultural divide.

Marv Wolfman responded to the award with the following press release:

I am very proud to announce that my book, HOMELAND, THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ISRAEL, has just won the National Jewish Council Book Award in the category of Children and Young Adult Literature. Homeland details 3,500 years of Jewish history, from the time of Abraham to the year 2007. It follows the history of the Jewish people and their long struggle for their promised land. The book took nearly three years to write. It is fully illustrated by artist Mario Ruiz, Executive Edited by William J. Rubin, and published by Nachshon Press.

Homeland has also received the Moonbeam Award in the Young Adult non- fiction category, the USAbooknews award for History/Politics in the adult category, and was also recognized as a 2008 Notable Book for Teen readers by the Sydney Taylor Book Award Committee for the Association of Jewish Libraries. Homeland reaches all audiences from children to adult and it does so in a vibrant format.

A few of the reviews Homeland has received:

Homeland is graphic nonfiction of the very highest quality." — Association of Jewish Libraries Magazine

A welcome and enthusiastically recommended addition to personal, school, and community library collections." —Midwest Book Review

A provocative, evocative look at Israel's history . . . a fest of full-color photos and painted art illustrations." —Dallas Morning News

For those with little or no knowledge of Mideast history, Homeland is a wonderful introduction." —South Mississippi Sun Herald

Can best be described as one of the greatest history text books ever created . . . the educational value is limitless." —Broken Frontier.com

Wolfman's pen skills take adult and child alike into history with ease. The art from the amazing hands of Mario Ruiz is a treasure." — AudioWorld

Explains and illustrates the reasons for the existence of [Israel] in terms that Jews and non-Jews can easily understand." —Cleveland Jewish News

I've never been able to understand the conflict in Israel/Palestine. This book turned out to be something different." —Sabrina's Reviews

A hearty congratulations to William J. Rubin, Marv and Mario for the outstanding achievement, extending the reach of the graphic storytelling medium and boldly going where no comics have gone before.