Gail R. (abigailsdaughter) reviewed on + 201 more book reviews
A children's novel about an obscure historical figure, Elvina, daughter of a famous family of Jewish Talmudic scholars living in Troyes, France in 1096. The Jewish community is afraid of being destroyed by the Crusaders currently passing through France.
Elvina, who has been secretly taught to read by her scholar grandfather, although obedient to her family, is also very independent - for example, teaching some other girls to read the Torah and hiding a young Christian who wants to become a scholar rather than a Crusading warrior.
A well-written story about a group of people seldom written about - European Jews in the time of the Crusades. Translated from the original French.
Elvina, who has been secretly taught to read by her scholar grandfather, although obedient to her family, is also very independent - for example, teaching some other girls to read the Torah and hiding a young Christian who wants to become a scholar rather than a Crusading warrior.
A well-written story about a group of people seldom written about - European Jews in the time of the Crusades. Translated from the original French.
