ACROSS SO MANY SEAS, by Ruth Behar, Nancy Paulsen Books, Feb. 6, 2024, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 10 and up)
Ruth Behar’s Across So Many Seas spans 500 years and tells the stories of four girls from different generations of a Jewish family.
In 1492, during the Spanish Inquisition, Benvenida and her family are banished from Spain for being Jewish, and must flee the country or be killed. They journey by foot and by sea, eventually settling in Istanbul.
Over four centuries later, in 1923, shortly after the Turkish war of independence, Reina’s father disowns her for a small act of disobedience. He ships her away to live with an aunt in Cuba, to be wed in an arranged marriage when she turns fifteen.
In 1961, Reina’s daughter, Alegra, is proud to be a brigadista, teaching literacy in the countryside for Fidel Castro. But soon Castro’s crackdowns force her to flee to Miami all alone, leaving her parents behind.
Finally, in 2003, Alegra’s daughter, Paloma, is fascinated by all the journeys that had to happen before she could be born. A keeper of memories, she’s thrilled by the opportunity to learn more about her heritage on a family trip to Spain, where she makes a momentous discovery.
Though many years and many seas separate these girls, they are united by a love of music and poetry, a desire to belong and to matter, a passion for learning, and their longing for a home where all are welcome. And each is lucky to stand on the shoulders of their courageous ancestors. —Synopsis provided by Nancy Paulsen Books
Across So Many Seas focuses on four different time periods in four different countries — 1492 Spain; 1923 Turkey; 1961 Cuba; and 2003 America. The jumps in time might seem a bit odd at first, but they relate to key moments in Jewish history.
Of all the stories, Benvenida’s was the most interesting for me as a reader. I’ve not seen this time period explored in middle-grade literature before, and found myself wanting to know more.
Reina’s story is a particularly hard one to read, especially through a modern lens.
Alegra’s story captures the same feel you get from Ruth Behar’s Letters from Cuba. And Paloma’s story kind of ties everything together.
Across So Many Seas is based on some of Behar’s own family history, and because of that, you gain a real sense of connection and authenticity. Behar’s text is warm and inviting and moves smoothly from one character to another.
Across So Many Seas is a compelling historical fiction read that at just over 200 pages is not overly long. It should appeal to a large cross-section of readers.
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