After being kidnapped and brought to the emperor's palace in Gondar, Ethiopia, twelve-year-old Saba discovers that she and her brother are part of the emperor's desperate attempt to consolidate political power in the mid-1840s. Simultaneous. 75,000 first printing.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Grade 5-8-Kurtz admirably offers readers the story of a young girl first and the historical details and political intrigue of Ethiopia in 1846 second. Saba is a simple country girl, living with her brother and overly protective grandmother. Suspense builds as the children disobediently venture out of their home. Kidnapped and taken to a faraway palace, Saba is confused, but by paying close attention to details, she is able to make sense of events. Her lack of understanding of the ways of the court gradually turns into an awareness of a severe, albeit camouflaged, threat to herself and her brother. Politics is at the heart of the story and complicated family relationships at the heart of the dilemma. Kurtz keeps the pages turning as she reveals Saba and her brother's place in the emperor's line. A descendant of the biblical Queen of Sheba, clever and resourceful Saba is determined to save not just herself, but her brother as well. It's gratifying that a title this well written and culturally sensitive is now available since there are so few good novels about Africa, and especially Ethiopia, that provide a sense of the rich history in that part of the world.
Carol A. Edwards, Sonoma County Library, Santa Rosa, CA
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Gr. 5-8. In nineteenth-century Ethiopia, 12-year-old Saba and her brother, Mesfin, are kidnapped from their grandmother's remote home and brought to the capital, where Saba discovers her true royal identity. Saba delights in the opulence of court life until she discovers the political treachery that threatens Mesfin's life and her own freedom. Kurtz includes a great deal of Ethiopian history, which, though fascinating, slows the story with its complexity and may overwhelm at times. The frequent aphorisms ("When lions and elephants fight, it is the mice who must tremble," for example) may also challenge some readers. But as in her other titles set in Africa, such as The Storyteller's Beads (1998), Kurtz creates a powerful sense of place with cultural and sensory details, and Saba's strong first-person voice and brave adventures will hook many readers. As with other titles in the Girls of Many Lands series, this concludes with a chapter of background history and culture, a glossary, and an author's note. Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Shipping:
FREE
Within U.S.A.
Shipping:
US$ 3.99
Within U.S.A.
Seller: SecondSale, Montgomery, IL, U.S.A.
Condition: Acceptable. Tibbles, Jean-Paul (illustrator). Item in good condition. Textbooks may not include supplemental items i.e. CDs, access codes etc. Seller Inventory # 00067846777
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: SecondSale, Montgomery, IL, U.S.A.
Condition: Good. Tibbles, Jean-Paul (illustrator). Item in good condition. Textbooks may not include supplemental items i.e. CDs, access codes etc. Seller Inventory # 00067113565
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Jenson Books Inc, Logan, UT, U.S.A.
paperback. Condition: Good. Tibbles, Jean-Paul (illustrator). This item shows signs of wear from consistent use, but it remains in good condition and works perfectly. All pages and cover are intact , but may have aesthetic issues such as small tears, bends, scratches, and scuffs. Spine may also show signs of wear. Pages may include some notes and highlighting. May include "From the library of" labels. Satisfaction Guaranteed. Seller Inventory # 4BQJ070009X7_ns
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: -OnTimeBooks-, Phoenix, AZ, U.S.A.
Condition: good. Tibbles, Jean-Paul (illustrator). Book may contain some writing, highlighting, and or cover damage. Shipped fast and reliably!. Seller Inventory # OTV.1584857471.G
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: ZBK Books, Carlstadt, NJ, U.S.A.
Condition: good. Tibbles, Jean-Paul (illustrator). Used book in good and clean conditions. Pages and cover are intact. Limited notes marks and highlighting may be present. May show signs of normal shelf wear and bends on edges. Item may be missing CDs or access codes. May include library marks. Fast Shipping. Seller Inventory # ZWM.3NQ5
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Goodwill, Brooklyn Park, MN, U.S.A.
paperback. Condition: Good. Tibbles, Jean-Paul (illustrator). Item has stickers or notes attached to cover and/or pages that have not been removed to prevent further damage Cover/Case has some rubbing and edgewear. Access codes, CD's, slipcovers and other accessories may not be included. Seller Inventory # 2Y6JCK00AW3M_ns
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: ThriftBooks-Dallas, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Paperback. Condition: Good. No Jacket. Tibbles, Jean-Paul (illustrator). Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 0.7. Seller Inventory # G1584857471I3N00
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: ThriftBooks-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, U.S.A.
Paperback. Condition: Good. No Jacket. Tibbles, Jean-Paul (illustrator). Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 0.7. Seller Inventory # G1584857471I3N00
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: ThriftBooks-Dallas, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Paperback. Condition: Good. No Jacket. Tibbles, Jean-Paul (illustrator). Former library book; Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 0.7. Seller Inventory # G1584857471I3N10
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: ThriftBooks-Atlanta, AUSTELL, GA, U.S.A.
Paperback. Condition: Good. No Jacket. Tibbles, Jean-Paul (illustrator). Former library book; Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 0.7. Seller Inventory # G1584857471I3N10
Quantity: 1 available