Across So Many Seas
Written by Ruth Behar
Published by Nancy Paulsen Books
Spanning over 500 years, Pura Belpré Award winner Ruth Behar’s epic novel tells the stories of four girls from different generations of a Jewish family, many of them forced to leave their country and start a new life.
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.
Look for the Spanish version, A Través de los Mares (Across So Many Seas).
Primary ISBN: 9780593323403
Publication Date: February 2024
Available As: Hardcover, Paperback, Audiobook, eBook
Middle Grade, Age 10 or older
Community Represented: Cuban/Cuban American
Themes: Accolades & Awards, Accolades & Awards: Starred Review, Accolades & Awards: Youth Media Awards, Coming of Age, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Family, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Identity, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Storytelling, Discrimination: Gender and Sexual, Discrimination: Religious, Family Relationship: Extended, Family Relationship: Parents, Format: Audiobook, Generation: 1st, Generational Differences: Gender Roles, Genre: Historical, Immigrant: Religious Freedom, Loss of Childhood, Multilingual: Ladino Featured Words, Own Voices/Lived Experience, Refugee: Persecution, Refugee: War/Conflict, Religious Background: Jewish, Setting: Home Country
Setting: Spain, Türkiye (Istanbul), Cuba, United States (Miami FL)
Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: On Journey, Refugee, Immigrant, 1st Generation
Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience
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Engagement Materials
Source: Penguin Random House
Source: Ruth Behar