A Sparrow Alone Book

Saddened by the death of her parents at the hands of soldiers in Roman-occupied Jerusalem, Mala, a seventeen-year-old Jewish seamstress, finds no comfort from her older ...

Francine Thomas - Children's Literature

This modest slice of the ageless story is carved from a fresh vantage point. A poignant tale about two orphans living near Roman-occupied Jerusalem is delivered in a tender, simple fashion. In fact, these qualities make it a welcome addition to today's collection of fiction for young adults. Young Jewess Mala and her brother Abdon react to the senseless murder of their parents in contrasting ways. Mala lets her mother's wisdom guide her in choosing life without bitterness. "Some things lie within our reach as human beings; others lie only within God's." Abdon, on the other hand, allows man's inhumanity to poison his very soul. "It's as if he has deliberately moved into another room of existence—one barricaded against the past." The characters come to life without pretense. "Swathed entirely in black, the stall's owner squatted on her heels, dark eyes like ripe olives." The image becomes clearer. "She looked for all the world like a bright-eyed bird in drooping jet feathers." Petersen's slim historical novel just begins to probe a reality that transcends time. At its very heart it is a story about love and loss, but mostly it is about hope. "He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces." Though not an easy task, author Alicia Petersen artfully conceals a surprising conclusion until the last pages. Readers longing for a story that brings food for thought to the table will find this book satisfying. 2004, Journey Forth, Ages 12 to 14.