Shifting Sands: Life in the Times of Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad

by Kathy Lowinger

The stories of three young people who experience the tumult—in three eras—as new religions are about to be born. Dina is a slave, who must make a choice between the predictable life of an Egyptian slave, or an uncertain one that promises more by following Moses into the desert. Fifteen hundred years later, Rome’s oppressive rule has impoverished young Mattan’s family. When they come upon a man preaching in Capernaum, their lives change forever as they become followers of Jesus. Around 622 A.D. Fallah, a Bedouin boy, flees from his desert home to break out of the grip of the blood feud that killed his father. Though he becomes a successful poet in the marketplace of Mecca, he and his brother are condemned to live forever as outsiders in a society dominated by a powerful tribe. Muhammad and his Companions offer them a different future—if they are brave enough to grasp it. Drawing on both the historical and the imagined, Shifting Sands brings the past to vivid life. These stories expertly recreate how life might have been for young people living in the time of three of the world’s most important figures.

Genres: Historical

128 pages, Paperback

First published March 18, 2014

Reviews

[Feba · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first story had more description than emotion. However, the second and third stories made up for the first. A good book for kids beginning to read.

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

In the time of Moses, Dina is an enslaved Hebrew weaver in Egypt, and is fairly content with her lot, particularly as the queen favors her for her delicate work. Dina misses her family in Goshen, though, which she has not seen in seven years. Sneaking away during a festival, she spends time at Goshen and hears about Moses, who is determined to free the Hebrew slaves. Back at the weaver’s house, Dina and the others undergo the plagues. If Moses really frees the Jews, will she stay or go?

Mattan of Nazareth both admires and loathes the Romans who tax his and others’ families into abject poverty. After the death of his sister, Mattan leaves to find his fortune, and winds up with a travelling mountebank healer. In a small town they hear Jesus teaching, and Jakob decides to follow him. Mattan leaves them in Jerusalem, but unwisely talks about Jesus’ teachings in front of someone loyal to the Romans.

I didn’t read the last story, because I already knew I didn't care for the book. There was potential here; I liked the characters well enough, and the worlds are well-described and built. But there’s too much infodumping, and too often these just read like history lessons. There’s also a lack of emotion overall. During the plagues—rushed through at the speed of light—Dina is never more than irritated that the plagues are putting off the queen’s journey to the oasis. There is no sense of fear or awe or anything else. Overall, surprisingly, neither of these characters seem to feel any connection to their deity. There is an odd lack of spirituality in the work as a whole. I’d tell kids just to find a good children’s Bible and read it instead.

[Mary]

"Shifting Sands" is an historical fiction book about three different eras in history during the times of Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad. It explains the beginnings of the Jewish, Christian, and Muslim religions.
Dina, an Israelite, is a slave in the House of Weavers in Egypt. She works for the queen of Egypt. Dina meets Moses and is part of the Israelite exodus from slavery in Egypt.
Mattan, a Jew, lives during the time of Jesus. He hears Jesus preach and witnesses his crucifixion.
Fallah, a bedouin, has heard Muhammad speak and met the Companions. The Companions are followers of Muhammad.
Each time period is described in detail through the eyes of the three characters Dina, Mattan, and Fallah. This would be a good book for students studying about these time periods. The information is concise and easy to read.

[Dolores · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked "Shifting Sands" but I can't say that I enjoyed it. The stories were interesting but emotionless. I was drawn in to the historical settings and the tribulations of the characters, but didn't really care about the characters, themselves. Maybe because they were short stories???

I would definitely recommend this to students who are studying this time period or to children who enjoy non-fiction.