Search for the Shamir

by Eric A. Kimmel, Ivica Stevanovic (Illustrator)

Overview

A close encounter with Grandma Mina's time-traveling carpet sends Scarlett and Sam to ancient Jerusalem, where some very important people need their help. The twins meet the prophet Nathan, the warrior Benayahu ben Yehoiada, and even King Solomon himself, the wisest ruler of all time. But Solomon has a big problem that even his wisdom can't solve. God wants him to build the Temple, but it can't be done without the mythical insect called the shamir. It's up to the twins to find the shamir—even if that means facing off against the king of the demons.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781512429381
Publisher:	Lerner Publishing Group
Publication date:	01/01/2018
Series:	Scarlett and Sam
Pages:	152
Product dimensions:	5.10(w) x 7.40(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	8 - 9 Years

About the Author

Eric A. Kimmel has been writing for children for more than 40 years. His 100-plus titles include such classics as Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock and The Chanukkah Guest. He lives in Portland, Oregon.

Ivica Stevanovic has illustrated numerous picture books, as well as book covers and graphic novels. He lives in Veternik, Serbia, with his wife, who is also a children's illustrator, and their daughter.

Editorial Reviews

"Dangers, duplicity, and acts of courage ensue, and they triumph. While the ancient characters do not know what the future holds (with one odd exception), Scarlett and Sam have learned in Hebrew school of the people and events of the Torah, as well as the midrashim, the stories and legends that complement the Torah. Kimmel takes a nontraditional approach, employing 21st-century syntax and sensibilities for all the characters, making the tale accessible for modern readers, whatever their religions. Stevanovic's manga-like gray-toned illustrations nicely merge the ancient with the contemporary. A lively combination of ancient history, religion, and thrilling magic. (author's note) (Historical fantasy. 8-12)" - Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

2018-01-22
Scarlett and Sam are off again (Escape from Egypt, 2015) on Grandma Mina's magic flying carpet, this time to ancient Jerusalem.There they meet King Solomon, who is new on the job, overseeing an impoverished Israel. They immediately witness the event that will define this wise king, as he mediates two women's dispute over a baby. He has been commanded by God to build a temple without using iron tools but does not have other means to cut the stones. The Jewish twins find themselves involved in a quest to find the shamir, a creature that can cut stones just by looking at them. With guard captain B.Z. (short for Benayahu ben Yehoiada), the prophet Nathan, and Solomon's ring, which holds the power of God, they find the demon Ashmodai who is holding the shamir. Dangers, duplicity, and acts of courage ensue, and they triumph. While the ancient characters do not know what the future holds (with one odd exception), Scarlett and Sam have learned in Hebrew school of the people and events of the Torah, as well as the midrashim, the stories and legends that complement the Torah. Kimmel takes a nontraditional approach, employing 21st-century syntax and sensibilities for all the characters, making the tale accessible for modern readers, whatever their religions. Stevanovic's manga-like gray-toned illustrations nicely merge the ancient with the contemporary.A lively combination of ancient history, religion, and thrilling magic. (author's note) (Historical fantasy. 8-12)

Kirkus Reviews