Across So Many Seas

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“As lyrical as it is epic,Across So Many Seasreminds us that while the past may be another country, it’s also a living, breathing song of sadness and joy that helps define who we are.” –Alan Gratz,New York Timesbestselling author ofRefugee

Spanning over 500 years, Pura Belpr 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, Reinas 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, Reinas daughter, Alegra, is proud to be a brigadista, teaching literacy in the countryside for Fidel Castro. But soon Castros crackdowns force her to flee to Miami all alone, leaving her parents behind.

Finally,in 2003, Alegras daughter, Paloma,is fascinated by all the journeys that had to happen before she could be born. A keeper of memories,shes 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.