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Lydia, Queen of Palestine

Ten-year-old Lydia describes her childhood escapades and fantasies in pre-World War II Romania, her struggles to understand her parents’ divorce amid the chaos of the war, and her life on a kibbutz in Palestine.

As her world crumbles and rearranges itself around her, Lydia remains strong. Her perception of her parents and their situation, which shifts as she learns new things, is one any child of separated parents may identify with. But she is also a survivor: ingenious, self-confident, energetic, and bright, Lydia is a force to be reckoned with – and a character no one can ignore.

Batchelder Award, American Library Association, 1993
New York Times Notable Book of the Year, 1993

This book by Uri Orlev is now represented by The Institute for the Translation of Hebrew Literature in the following counries: Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Yugoslavia, the (Russian) C.I.S., Bulgaria, Romania, Albania, Lithuania, Latvian and Estonia.

Languages
Chinese (simplified), Danish, Dutch, English, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish
Title Lydia, Queen of Palestine
Writer's Last Name Orlev
Writer's First Name Uri
Genre Children
Ages 10-15
Publisher (Hebrew) Keter
No. Pages 149pp.
Book title - Hebrew (phonetic) Lydia Malkat Eretz Israel
  • “ Lydia's tricks are audacious, imaginative and usually hilarious. She takes matters into her hands with utter self-assurance, believing there is nothing she can't do. This feisty self-confidence is endearing...In Lydia, Mr. Orlev has created a real hero, one that wins our admiration but never our pity. Children will love her, will cheer her on in her battles and be uplifted by her triumphs. And they'll learn some fiendishly clever pranks along the way.”

    New York Times
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