Showing results for "Karla" in Historical Fiction

Yosef and Estrella have spent their whole lives in Morocco's Atlas Mountains. When they move to the city, they face a strange, unfamiliar world. Will their love survive the surprises of their new home? A funny and charming folktale-like story of mistaken identities.

Luis de Torres is a secret Jew, a Catholic convert, who, in his heart, remains Jewish. When the Inquisition comes and Jews are forced to leave Spain, Luis decides to join a sailing expedition to new lands. He has just his faith, his wits, and a silver hamsa to protect him on his journey. And could it be that Jewish tradition helps protect the ship?

Papa plays beautiful music on the violin, sometimes quick and lively and sometimes slow and sorrowful. But one night, there is a pounding on the door, and a Nazi soldier snatches the violin away. The violin is silent for years until a luthier finds it and says, "I can fix you."

Papa has promised to bring home a perfect etrog for Sukkot from his journey across the sea. Rachel and Abe go to the docks every day to wait for his ship. But Rosh Hashanah passes, then Yom Kippur, and still Papa's ship doesn't arrive. Grandpapa Luis comforts Rachel with a beautiful silver etrog cup, but will her papa return in time for Sukkot, bringing the promised etrog?

Every morning, Baila klops (Yiddish for "bangs") on all the village doors to wake people up so they get to synagogue on time. At each house she sings, "Get up! It's early, but soon will be later. Roll out of bed to serve your Creator!" But one day, Eliezer the blacksmith does not want to get up. A neighbor's music kept him up. The neighbor can't sleep because of a howling baby who can't sleep because all she wants is a bagel, and Bentzi the baker is always sold out. Can Baila make sure everyone gets to synagogue on time and has fresh bagels to eat?

Deborah has a gift; she can see the future. As Deborah grows up, so do the date palms that surround her home. Under these trees, people come from far and wide to seek guidance from the great prophetess and judge. In her dreams, Deborah foresees danger to the people of Israel. She summons a general to speak with her beneath the date palms. "War is coming and you must prepare," she tells him. For the girl that grew up under the date palms, her moment of destiny has arrived.

Shoham wears a golden bangle on her wrist, just like her Nana Aziza. Their bangles jingle when they cook, and glitter in the sun. When Shoham and her family must leave Iraq, they are allowed to take only one suitcase each. They may take no jewelry. Shoham has the important job of carrying Nana’s homemade pita bread, which Nana says they will eat when they get to Israel. But when they finally arrive and it is time to eat, Shoham bites into something hard inside the pita bread.