ACROSS SO MANY SEAS

This sweeping multigenerational saga follows four courageous girls from the same Sephardic Jewish family across five centuries of exile, tracing their journeys from 1492 Spain to 1920s Turkey, 1960s Cuba, and present-day Miami. Ruth Behar masterfully weaves together their distinct voices and historical settings, creating an immersive experience that brings to life the resilience of a diaspora community preserving its language, Ladino, and traditions against all odds. Young readers will be captivated by the high-stakes adventures—from escaping the Spanish Inquisition to fleeing political revolutions—that connect these ancestors across time.

What makes this novel particularly powerful is how it makes complex historical migrations and cultural preservation accessible and deeply personal for middle-grade readers. The intergenerational storytelling format allows children to see history not as distant events but as intimate family legacies, emphasizing themes of identity, belonging, and the enduring power of memory. Families seeking meaningful historical fiction that spans continents and centuries will find this Newbery Honor book an unforgettable reading experience that sparks important conversations about heritage and resilience.