In 1492, 12-year-old Benvenida was living in Toledo, Spain, one of the few girls there who could read and write. But when the Jews were expelled from Spain, Benvenida and her family were forced to flee, leaving behind everything they knew. In the centuries that follow, three other 12-year-old girls in the same family face life-changing choices in Turkey, Cuba, and Miami, as they try to hold on to their Jewish identity while building new lives in new places. This moving historical novel weaves together themes of courage and family and Sephardic traditions, including Ladino songs and Shabbat, across 500 years.
Across So Many Seas is a Newbery Honor book and a Sydney Taylor Honor book, and Kirkus Reviews called it “powerful and resonant.”
The PJ Our Way Book Selection Committee is always looking for stories that pull readers in with a compelling plot and give them something real to think about. Across So Many Seas does both, with four brave main characters, meaningful Jewish moments, and an age-appropriate introduction to how prejudice and pressure can shape a person’s choices. As one PJ Our Way reader noted,
These stories are heartfelt and suspenseful! They make the past seem in reach, and I learned a lot about different cultures, history, and Jewish life. If you want to find out more about these four girls and the unique challenges they faced, read the incredible book Across So Many Seas.
This book is perfect for fans of Lucky Broken Girl, The Girl with the Secret Name, and A Ceiling Made of Eggshells. (Please note that the PJ Our Way team recommends this title for ages 10 and up).
April 2, 2026