In the book Across So Many Seas, aimed at a tween audience, we meet multiple generations of the same family immigrating from one country to another in search of a place to call home. They encounter many challenges, which forces them to fight for freedom if they hope to preserve their Jewish heritage.
The year is 1492. Benvenida and her family must leave Spain, convert from Judaism to Catholicism or face execution. Her family members flee at the last possible moment, slowly making their way to the coast. They must face great hardships to find a new home.
The year is 1923. Reina hopes the freedom from the Turkish war for independence will spill over into greater freedoms for women. But when Reina’s disobedience becomes too much for her father, her life will never be the same.
The year is 1961. Allegra is infatuated with the Cuban revolution. She signs up to help people learn to read and write, and she makes many new friends. However, when the revolutionaries target her family, Allegra must decide where her loyalty lies.
The year is 2003. Paloma loves her home in Miami and her family’s rich cultural heritage. She travels to Spain with her grandmother and parents to discover even more about her family’s past, and she learns about the courage her ancestors had to step into the unknown.
Catholic rulers in Spain force non-Christians in the country to convert to Christianity or leave to avoid execution.
As mentioned, this story focuses on four generations of a Jewish family. Bar mitzvahs, the Torah and other distinctives of the Jewish faith are mentioned. Muslims and several of their traditions, such as women covering their hair and Ramadan, are discussed as well.
We read some passing references to other spiritual beliefs, too. Characters talk about warding off the evil eye. West African religious traditions are described. Allegra’s friend has a statue of a West African goddess. Ghosts and luck are mentioned.
King Ferdinand and Queen Isabel force everyone in Spain to convert to Catholicism, leave the country or face execution. On Benvenida’s family’s journey out of Spain, priests offer to take care of the elderly who are suffering on the journey if they accept baptism. Benvenida’s uncle is impressed by her ability to read and write but says it isn’t proper for a girl.
Reina’s dad has a bad temper. After she sneaks out one night, he says she’s dead to him and arranges for her to go to Cuba and eventually marry a man 15 years older than her. Reina’s husband is unkind and rude; however, he gradually softens and becomes kinder and more understanding with age. Reina keeps secrets from her husband, since he can be controlling at times, but she has learned to love him.
Fidel Castro is portrayed as a generous leader who, nonetheless, is cruel to those who oppose his revolution. The Cuban Revolution seeks to ban religion, forcing them instead to give all of their dedication to revolutionary Communist beliefs. Castro believes that education, not religion, will bring progress.
Jews who don’t convert to Catholicism in Spain are threatened with hanging. Violence at sea is discussed. We hear that Jews who converted to Catholicism but still practiced Judaism in secret were tortured. War against the Muslim Moor people is mentioned. A baby is born along the side of the road after one town forced the group of Jews to move on or baptize the baby as a Christian. Benvenida’s father dies at sea.
Reina’s cousin Rafi was killed in the Turkish war for independence. His body couldn’t be sent home. Reina receives a letter while in Cuba informing her that her mother has died. Characters witness property being seized during Cuba’s Communist revolution. Deaths during the Cuban revolution are mentioned, and Allegra’s brother is beaten by revolutionaries. Racism is discussed.
Paloma visits a well-known Cuban singer with her father. Slavery is mentioned. Paloma reads about Jews burning at the stake in Spain. Alcohol is mentioned.
A man invites Benvenida to sleep in bed with him. Reina talks about how girls need to be pure. A gay Spanish poet is mentioned.
Read Matthew 28:16-20 and John 14:6. How can Christians be faithful to this command to share the gospel while still respecting other people’s beliefs? Can you be tolerant of others’ convictions while still believing in Jesus’ exclusive claims that He alone is the “the way, the truth and the life,” and that, “No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6)?
Ask your parents and grandparents about your family’s heritage. What lessons can you learn from the people who lived before you?
Do you think history is important? Why or why not?
Across So Many Seas offers an interesting glimpse into one family’s journey to preserve their heritage. Their shared history offers informative lessons to readers about the importance of respecting others’ beliefs, gaining an education and fighting for what’s right.
That said, the book’s message of tolerance borders on universalism at times, claiming that essentially maintaining one’s heritage is what is most important, not seeking absolute truth.
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Book reviews cover the content, themes and worldviews of fiction books, not necessarily their literary merit, and equip parents to decide whether a book is appropriate for their children. The inclusion of a book’s review does not constitute an endorsement by Focus on the Family.
Rachel Pfeiffer serves as Editor of Focus on the Family Clubhouse magazine, where she acquires and crafts stories to entertain and disciple children. She graduated from Taylor University with a degree in professional writing and Moody Theological Seminary with an MA in Biblical Studies. When she’s not curled up with a good book, she can often be found hiking the beautiful Colorado Rockies.
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