In France in the year 1096, everyone in the Jewish community is terrified of the Crusaders, who have been known to burn Jewish houses in the name of religion.
Elvina, the funny, feisty, twelve-year-old granddaughter of the great rabbi Rashi, knows how to read and write—very rare for a girl of her time. She draws strength from this, as well as from her guardian angel, to whom she speaks constantly. Then one cold Sabbath afternoon while Elvina is alone in the house, three soldiers pound on her door. One of them is wounded. Elvina has only a moment to make a difficult choice that could put her family and the entire community at risk. Can her guardian angel guide her now?
Winner of the Prix Sorcieres, France’s most prestigious award for children’s literature, this is a story of compassion and tolerance that speaks to people of all faiths.
Sylvie Weil grew up in France and earned degrees in classics and French literature from the Sorbonne in Paris. She has taught in several universities in France and the United States. She makes her home in both Paris and New York City.View all by Sylvie Weil
