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Alexandra's Scroll: The Story of the First Hanukkah
A young girl’s account of life in Jerusalem in 165 B.C.
When the hated Syrian-Greek king fills ancient Jerusalem with statues of Greek gods and destroys the Jewish temple, feisty Alexandra takes up reed pen, ink, and sheet of papyrus and turns “scribe.”
In her scroll Alexandra records the everyday happenings of her life, as well as the events of the Jewish rebellion led by the Maccabees. When her father joins the resistance against the Greek authorities, Alexandra must leave her friends and the city she loves. The victory of the Maccabees three years later returns the family to Jerusalem—to old friends, new ones and, for Alexandra, a new life.
Place and time are recreated in this story of a girl caught up in the events that led to the rebuilding of the temple, the miracle of oil that burns eight days, and the celebration of the first Hanukkah.
When the hated Syrian-Greek king fills ancient Jerusalem with statues of Greek gods and destroys the Jewish temple, feisty Alexandra takes up reed pen, ink, and sheet of papyrus and turns “scribe.”
In her scroll Alexandra records the everyday happenings of her life, as well as the events of the Jewish rebellion led by the Maccabees. When her father joins the resistance against the Greek authorities, Alexandra must leave her friends and the city she loves. The victory of the Maccabees three years later returns the family to Jerusalem—to old friends, new ones and, for Alexandra, a new life.
Place and time are recreated in this story of a girl caught up in the events that led to the rebuilding of the temple, the miracle of oil that burns eight days, and the celebration of the first Hanukkah.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
128 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2002
About the author
Miriam Chaikin
37 books6 followersMiriam Chaikin was born in Jerusalem and raised in New York. She served as editor-in-chief of children s books in various publishing houses and has published over thirty books for children of all ages. In 1984 she won the Sydney Taylor Award for Body of Work.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 3, 2021
We read this book aloud with our homeschool study of Jewish history. It was an excellent living book about the Maccabean Revolt and the story of Hanukkah. Highly recommended!
November 30, 2018
An excellent historical fiction for late elementary and middle school kids. The reality of life under Antiochus comes to life--sometimes painfully--in this book.
December 31, 2014
gr 4-8 113 pgs
165 BCE, Israel. Alexandra is surprised when her parents encourage her to write down her thoughts of what is happening in Jerusalem. She can't imagine a girl being a scribe. But her parents provide her with papyrus, ink, and encouragement. As the situation worsens for Jews under Greek-Syrian rule, Alexandra describes how they are denied the right to practice their religion and the harsh penalties for those who are caught doing so. She also talks about how a group of Jews, the Maccabees are fighting to be free to practice their religion.
165 BCE, Israel. Alexandra is surprised when her parents encourage her to write down her thoughts of what is happening in Jerusalem. She can't imagine a girl being a scribe. But her parents provide her with papyrus, ink, and encouragement. As the situation worsens for Jews under Greek-Syrian rule, Alexandra describes how they are denied the right to practice their religion and the harsh penalties for those who are caught doing so. She also talks about how a group of Jews, the Maccabees are fighting to be free to practice their religion.
September 16, 2012
Emotionally touching story of the roots of Hannukah, and the taking and restoration of Jerusalem.
November 15, 2012
I love historical fiction.when i found a book with my history in it i was overjoyed!this book portrays the life in בית שני beautifully.it makes one wish that there was a בית המקדש today:(
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews