Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) (2005), Edition: 1st, Hardcover, 48 pages
Description
A fictionalized account of the travels of Benjamin, a Jewish man from Tudela, Spain, who, in 1159, set out on a fourteen-year-long journey that took him to Italy, Greece, Palestine, Persia, China, Egypt, and Sicily.
Subjects
Awards
Sydney Taylor Book Award (Winner — 2006)
National Jewish Book Award (Winner — Illustrated Children's Book — 2005)
Middle East Book Award (Honorable Mention — Picture Book — 2005)
Language
User reviews
LibraryThing member STBA
Known only from the book he wrote about his travels, Benjamin left Spain in 1159 and spent fourteen years
traveling. This beautifully illustrated chronicle describes and shows a 12th century world as it might have been experienced by Benjamin of Tudela, complete with muddy roads, searing deserts,
traveling. This beautifully illustrated chronicle describes and shows a 12th century world as it might have been experienced by Benjamin of Tudela, complete with muddy roads, searing deserts,
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walled cities and mighty seas. Show Less
LibraryThing member didaly
Based on the Book of Travels of the 12th century explorer Benjamin of Tudela, called by Shulevitz in his author’s note “the greatest medieval Jewish traveler.” This book is quite lengthy and is not so much a picture book as an illustrated epic, difficult to read in a single sitting, or even
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several sittings. The small black font was a poor choice. Show Less
LibraryThing member srogel1
I had mixed feelings about this book after reading it. I liked the book because of the historical fiction aspect and the personal stories that one man (Benjamin) has from his journey around the world. But I didn't like some of the content within the stories that were told. This book is obviously
The illustrations within the book are very vivid and bright, and therefore capture the attention of the reader. In addition, they are a good representation of what these regions would look like during the year 1159. This book, although not necessarily non-fiction, allows the readers to get a sense for life during this time period. Not many books focus on this time period and these students will then be prepared for when they learn about this period later in their academic careers. Also, the language used throughout the stories presents many opportunities for students to learn new vocabulary and to compare and contrast the language between 1159 and the language used today.
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made for older elementary students and even middle school students. Personally, I would use this book in a fifth grade class as a read aloud and then pair it with a history and/or geography lesson on the particular region that Benjamin was traveling through. Also, to continue with comprehension on the concepts in the book, I would have the students do a creative project focusing on one of the regions discussed. The illustrations within the book are very vivid and bright, and therefore capture the attention of the reader. In addition, they are a good representation of what these regions would look like during the year 1159. This book, although not necessarily non-fiction, allows the readers to get a sense for life during this time period. Not many books focus on this time period and these students will then be prepared for when they learn about this period later in their academic careers. Also, the language used throughout the stories presents many opportunities for students to learn new vocabulary and to compare and contrast the language between 1159 and the language used today.
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LibraryThing member raizel
A retelling for children of Benjamin of Tudela's travels to three continents 100 years before Marco Polo.
ISBN
0374377545 / 9780374377540