Reviews

Across So Many Seas by Ruth Behar

runningkar's review against another edition

hopeful reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

The audiobook narration is beautiful

Potential school pick for 6th ish

book_nut's review against another edition

4.0

A good look at a branch of Judaism that I knew nothing about. 

niharsatsangi's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

5.0

steph_phanie's review

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

abanas's review

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

katherinezee's review

adventurous hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

MY BOOK REVIEW:  
ACROSS SO MANY SEAS
By Ruth Behar.  ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This unforgettable YA historical novel traces the lives of four young girls in the same ancestral line as the authorc across nearly six centuries from the Spanish Inquisition of 1492 across the Mediterranean Sea to Turkey, then to Cuba and finally the U.S.  I had never known about the forced exile of the Sephardic Jews by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella—Yes, the same monarchs who supported Christopher Columbus!  Skipping from 1492 to 1923, the story of 12-year-old Reina, is adapted from the author’s own abuela's story. She is exiled from her family to Cuba where she is to marry a man pre-arranged by her family. The story then continues with Reina’s daughter Alegra followed by her granddaughter Paloma. The  reader will learn much about this little known Sephardic culture, its food, music, lilting language (Ladino=Judeo Spanish), colorful stories and traditions. Who better to tell the story than this author, Ruth Behar, whose Sephardic blood runs through her veins. The story shines with the resilience and hope of these four young women who must each summon up the courage and fortitude to face their journeys alone. 
NOTE TO TEACHERS:  
Highly recommended for grades 7-12. 
Themes:  Hero’s Journey, Sephardic culture, Judaism, Spain, Turkey, Cuban Revolution, exile, Operation Pedro Pan

sharpiemyshoe's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

ruthiedr89's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Colonisation, Religious bigotry, and Sexism

pipn_t's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

This was a great book, really well written.

doublen's review

informative medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0