They visit Israel each summer, but the current Gazan conflict has scuttled those plans. Twice during a conversation with the Herald, Einat ran to check her phone or computer after loud beeps rang through their Merrick home — an app, Red Alert, announcing that Hamas rockets were falling near areas in Israel where family members live. Einat said the alert has sounded multiple times per day in recent weeks. Family members run to shelters when sirens go off in Israel, then they text the American Lamperts to let them know they are OK.

“It’s a terrible situation,” Einat said.

Lior, who in addition to English and Hebrew speaks Russian — his father immigrated to Israel from Eastern Europe when he was a young man — said he enjoys writing, but has no plans for more books, at least not yet. A bit shy, Lior said he has not yet shown “Little American Man” to friends or teachers, but added that his friends all expressed interest in seeing a copy. “They think it’s cool,” he said.

Einat, who runs a yoga studio in Merrick, said her clients say they are impressed with Lior’s accomplishment and also want copies.