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The Storyteller's Beads
Running for their lives to escape the political upheaval in Ethiopia, two young girls from different faiths form an unlikely friendship.
154 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1998
About the author
Jane Kurtz
641 books53 followersJane Kurtz was born in Portland, Oregon, but when she was two years old, her parents moved to Ethiopia. Jane grew up in Maji, a small town in the southwest corner of the country.
Since there were no televisions, radios, or movies, her memories are of climbing mountains, wading in rivers by the waterfalls, listening to stories, and making up her own stories, which she and her sisters acted out for days at a time.
That love of nature has recently inspired her to write books about loving the Earth--such as WHAT DO THEY DO WITH ALL THAT POO? and PLANET JUPITER.
Jane has published more than 40 books, fiction, nonfiction, picture books, novels for young readers, and ready-to-reads. Some are based on her childhood in Ethiopia. Some draw on her own children, such as ANNA WAS HERE, a novel for young readers that asks life's big questions about pain and disaster--and offers a few puny answers.
Since her childhood in Ethiopia, Jane has lived in Illinois, Colorado, North Dakota, Kansas and--now--back in Portland, Oregon.
Since there were no televisions, radios, or movies, her memories are of climbing mountains, wading in rivers by the waterfalls, listening to stories, and making up her own stories, which she and her sisters acted out for days at a time.
That love of nature has recently inspired her to write books about loving the Earth--such as WHAT DO THEY DO WITH ALL THAT POO? and PLANET JUPITER.
Jane has published more than 40 books, fiction, nonfiction, picture books, novels for young readers, and ready-to-reads. Some are based on her childhood in Ethiopia. Some draw on her own children, such as ANNA WAS HERE, a novel for young readers that asks life's big questions about pain and disaster--and offers a few puny answers.
Since her childhood in Ethiopia, Jane has lived in Illinois, Colorado, North Dakota, Kansas and--now--back in Portland, Oregon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
December 28, 2010
The Storyteller's Beads is about two girls that live in Ethiopia and have to live their village. They have a lot of adventures on their way to the Sudan. When they arrive to the Sudan, Rahel and Sahay, alone leave and go to Jerusalem and make aliyah (the religious journey to Jerusalem).
January 21, 2016
i really like it. this book is very important because right now we are learning about equalities and this book is all about that. this book is about a beta isreal girl and an etheopoean girl puting aside their differernces and help each othert escape.i recommend it to everyone i know
March 9, 2011
might work well for 3ESO
November 21, 2025
I partially picking up this book because I knew absolutely nothing about this part of history. The author did not do a great job of helping the reader to know about this cultural context throughout the story. It would have been helpful to have an introduction, but I did at least like that there was a glossary in the back to reference while reading. At the end, she did explain a bit about Operation Moses, but it wasn't really enough context for someone unfamiliar, especially a child who's unfamiliar.
This book was much more dramatic than I had initially anticipated, which helped to keep the story moving along. I wish that a bit more time had been spent on their actual escape, as that was all quite interesting. Really, I think that had this book been published in more recent years, it would be a little better explained and written, as there is a much larger movement these days to spotlight parts of history people may not know about.
This book was much more dramatic than I had initially anticipated, which helped to keep the story moving along. I wish that a bit more time had been spent on their actual escape, as that was all quite interesting. Really, I think that had this book been published in more recent years, it would be a little better explained and written, as there is a much larger movement these days to spotlight parts of history people may not know about.
November 13, 2018
Despite the explanations glossary in the back, my daughter and I felt a bit lost not really knowing the background of the different ethnic groups and their prejudices against one another, nor the history of the country and the challenges they were suffering. We did like the themes of friendship, courage, and hope, though.
June 25, 2022
Interesting story and I learned more about the wars in Ethiopia as well as the persecution of the Beta-Israel people who lived there. While the story is timely, I just do not feel like it was written well and never really explained what was happening and why. It also reminded me in many respects of A Long Walk to Water, which is written better.
April 4, 2023
Liked the story- wanted more from the ending.
February 17, 2026
I didn't know anything about this slice of history, and I really enjoyed reading Rahel and Sahay's story!
May 23, 2025
Mid. Had to read it for school.
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December 9, 2013Lonaoui
The Storyteller's Beads
The Storyteller's Beads is a story telling about two girls living in Ethiopia during the time of the drought and the red terror. Sahay, one of the girls is a kemant girl living with her uncle after the deaths of her family in northern Ethiopia. Suddenly she is being rushed out of the country because of current killings by the red terror. Rahel is a Beta Israel Ethiopian Jew living in fear of other villages because they call them names and outcast them. She is also being rushed out of the country as well. Along the way out of Ethiopia to Sudan, they meet each other. Due to cultural prejudices they are disgusted by one another when they first meet but the prejudices become meaningless as the girls find they are both struggling in the only safe place for them right now, Sudan. But the place they are staying in is overridden with disease and hunger. Both on a mission to find the safe haven and make the Aliyah the journey to Jerusalem. Mahala, the only thing holding them together makes them bond and accept that they are both human.
I think the main theme of this book is that if you put your mind to it, you can do anything. I say this because as they make the numerous journeys that they take to a safe haven, not to mention through many mountain ranges a steep cliffs, they are almost overcome by thirst, hunger, and sadness of current deaths, however the seem to always find “the stubbornness” as Sahay calls it to keep moving and have faith and hope of a better day. There are also other not so major themes though. For example there was the overcoming of barriers set by cultural prejudices because they both learn to accept each other in the end.
I would recommend this book to people who are fascinated by the Ethiopian history and the struggles that the Ethiopian people had to go through specifically during the time of the red terror. I would recommend this book to people who are squeamish because the book describes the many many sicknesses that people went through in the safe haven camp.
The Storyteller's Beads
The Storyteller's Beads is a story telling about two girls living in Ethiopia during the time of the drought and the red terror. Sahay, one of the girls is a kemant girl living with her uncle after the deaths of her family in northern Ethiopia. Suddenly she is being rushed out of the country because of current killings by the red terror. Rahel is a Beta Israel Ethiopian Jew living in fear of other villages because they call them names and outcast them. She is also being rushed out of the country as well. Along the way out of Ethiopia to Sudan, they meet each other. Due to cultural prejudices they are disgusted by one another when they first meet but the prejudices become meaningless as the girls find they are both struggling in the only safe place for them right now, Sudan. But the place they are staying in is overridden with disease and hunger. Both on a mission to find the safe haven and make the Aliyah the journey to Jerusalem. Mahala, the only thing holding them together makes them bond and accept that they are both human.
I think the main theme of this book is that if you put your mind to it, you can do anything. I say this because as they make the numerous journeys that they take to a safe haven, not to mention through many mountain ranges a steep cliffs, they are almost overcome by thirst, hunger, and sadness of current deaths, however the seem to always find “the stubbornness” as Sahay calls it to keep moving and have faith and hope of a better day. There are also other not so major themes though. For example there was the overcoming of barriers set by cultural prejudices because they both learn to accept each other in the end.
I would recommend this book to people who are fascinated by the Ethiopian history and the struggles that the Ethiopian people had to go through specifically during the time of the red terror. I would recommend this book to people who are squeamish because the book describes the many many sicknesses that people went through in the safe haven camp.
November 29, 2013
“The Storytellers Beads” by Jane Kurtz (who grew up in a remote village in southwest corner of Ethiopia) is about the main characters, Sahay and Rahel that are both from Ethiopia. Rahel is an Ethiopian Jew who is also blind. Sahay is an Orthodox Christian. The story follows their journey during the harsh times (which included “The Ethiopia Famine” and “Red Terror”) from Ethiopia to Jerusalem. Sahay’s and Rahel’s paths join accidentally when they were both trying to escape hardships back in Ethiopia. This story is about overcoming harsh realities, cultural prejudices, fordging friendship against all odds, and compassionate human spirit to help each other make it from Ethiopia to Jerusalem.
In “The Storytellers Beads”, Jane Kurtz uses the different point-of-views of the different characters beautifully. The story is told through manly 3rd person view but through out the story also changes to 1st person view. Jane Kurtz connects the reader to the main characters, in a way that you can feel the hard times that they are going through, the pain that they have to endure and makes you wonder what you would do if you were in there shoes. The reader through Jane Kurtz’s 3rd and 1st person views experiences the long voyage and and the hard time they went through for a better life.
“The Storytellers beads” by Jane Kurtz is a book I would highly recommend to other readers (9+). If you enjoy books about The Ethiopian Famine or The Red Terror you will love this book because it combines the two into one. This book is not really to my opinion a book that would keep you at the edge of your seat but that dose not mean that you should not read this book. Although similar in storyline about Ethiopian Famine and Red Terror are, “Bob Geldof’s Africa’s Champion” or “The Red Terror” you will be on a ride with this book too. This book is also an excellent reminder on how to appreciate the life you are living and always love your family members and adapt to change because, one day things might change for the good or bad.
In “The Storytellers Beads”, Jane Kurtz uses the different point-of-views of the different characters beautifully. The story is told through manly 3rd person view but through out the story also changes to 1st person view. Jane Kurtz connects the reader to the main characters, in a way that you can feel the hard times that they are going through, the pain that they have to endure and makes you wonder what you would do if you were in there shoes. The reader through Jane Kurtz’s 3rd and 1st person views experiences the long voyage and and the hard time they went through for a better life.
“The Storytellers beads” by Jane Kurtz is a book I would highly recommend to other readers (9+). If you enjoy books about The Ethiopian Famine or The Red Terror you will love this book because it combines the two into one. This book is not really to my opinion a book that would keep you at the edge of your seat but that dose not mean that you should not read this book. Although similar in storyline about Ethiopian Famine and Red Terror are, “Bob Geldof’s Africa’s Champion” or “The Red Terror” you will be on a ride with this book too. This book is also an excellent reminder on how to appreciate the life you are living and always love your family members and adapt to change because, one day things might change for the good or bad.
November 17, 2009
I picked this book up at our school library (6th grade lvl reading) and did not have high expectations. My conclusion - "Don't judge a book by it's cover!" I was thoroughly impressed with Storyteller's Beads. It was a fantastic story of survival, fighting for your dreams, and overcoming prejudice. It provided a vivid picture of the countryside of Ethiopia. And, I didn't realize it 'til I reached the end, it is based on true accounts of Ethiopian Jews who embarked on an amazing and perilous journey to reach their promised land, Jerusalem.
As we are in the process of adopting from Ethiopia, this quote stood out to me, "[We:] have ways for people to make new kin, not of one's own blood. People who are sisters and brothers by choice, not by kinship, are mahala. Mahala do special things for each other..." I will definitely be reading Storyteller's Beads to my children in the future.
As we are in the process of adopting from Ethiopia, this quote stood out to me, "[We:] have ways for people to make new kin, not of one's own blood. People who are sisters and brothers by choice, not by kinship, are mahala. Mahala do special things for each other..." I will definitely be reading Storyteller's Beads to my children in the future.
June 19, 2012
Rahel and Sahay, both Ethopian girls escaping famine and persecution, meet on their journey to the Sudan. Both, however, have been reared to hate and fear the other--Rahel is Beta-Israel (Jewish) and Sahay is Christian and the two religious groups have never gotten along in the small villages Rahel and Sahay come from. During their journey, however, and during their time in the Sudanese refugee camp, they find that they have much more in common than they knew.
Based on Operation Moses, an Israeli program in the mid-1980's which rescued several thousand Ethopian Jews from Ethopia and from Ethopian refugee camps in Somalia. The book also is based on the author's background of being raised in a small village in Southern Ethopia.
An excellent book. A straightforward story without being soppy or overly sentimental.
Based on Operation Moses, an Israeli program in the mid-1980's which rescued several thousand Ethopian Jews from Ethopia and from Ethopian refugee camps in Somalia. The book also is based on the author's background of being raised in a small village in Southern Ethopia.
An excellent book. A straightforward story without being soppy or overly sentimental.
October 1, 2013
Though I very much wanted to like this book, it felt like it never quite left the ground for me. The story of two Ethiopian girls, one Christian and one a Falasha Jew, fleeing their country, should have been a compelling one. Unfortunately, Kurtz never quite conveys the setting, time frame, or importance of the story. The girls are also never fully realized as interesting protagonists. This was just bland storytelling -- Kids reading this will not get much of a sense of Ethiopian culture or nature, nor will they understand that this story takes place in recent times. A missed opportunity.
January 8, 2015
There is so much that we can learn from people of other cultures. Jane Kurtz has taken readers into the Ethiopian countryside during theb1980s famine. The characters are courageous as they, Rahel and Sahay, respectively leave their homes to escape the dangers of their homeland. I personally discovered a way of life that I did not realize existed. However, the story moved a little too slow. This title would require a reading circle environment for young readers to read the book from cover to cover.
December 6, 2010
The Storyteller's Beads is a very interesting story about two girls from two ethnic groups. the story takes place in the 1980's, when there was famine and the political strife. There was no other choice except escaping illegally. their paths meet at last, and the two girls become quick friends. Read their adventure, and find out how two different ethnic groups (which hate each other) become friends forever.
January 23, 2011
The Storyteller's Beads is about two girls who are Rahel a girl who is blind and Sahay that live in Ethiopia and had to leave their village. Rahel left her village with her brother Dawit and Sahay left with her uncle. On the way to Sudan they had many difficulties and adventure. But on the way to their trip the governmen troops came and told that mens must go back so Rahel goes to Jerusalem with the help of Sahay. And the two of them became really close.
October 20, 2014
it was pretty good. But i wish that they would have used a different setting because all they have to do with Moses, Moses, Moses. All the books abot Sudan are usually about Jewish. I think they should maybe talk about Mohamed (the prophet) in Sudanese books since the majority is Muslim. Be proud of your country!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!The Storyteller's Beads
February 12, 2008
This is the first novel by Jane Kurtz, a writer of children's stories. It is not gripping, but, on the order of Forgotten Fire (Armenia) and Night (Holocaust), has its place in keeping the Ethiopian famine of the 1980s in the forefront. Two girls from two estranged religious groups come to care for each other in the midst of war, relocation and famine.
September 13, 2010
I was impressed with the author's references to many stories from the Old Testament. According to this story, modern Ethiopian Jews still cling to these old stories and see that they are taught to their children just as Christians do. The story is very timely, since it relates to the Ethiopian famine of the 1980s. Friendship, courage, and family ties are strong elements in this book.
January 17, 2011
This story talks about the lives of two girsl Rahel and Sahay. Rahel was a blind girl who got blind by some kind of sickness. She and the other girl called Sahay meet in jerusalem. But Sahay's grandmother did want to come with Sahay. and her father so she gave Sahay a necklace. And they both went to Jerusalem
May 15, 2012
A story of two Ethiopian girls of different cultures who are struggling to leave the war town famine ravaged country find common ground in their pain and loss. The story deals with tough issues like the death of parents and siblings, leaving ones country of birth, and persecution. It is also a story of hope and perseverance and nicely suited for children 9-12 years old.
April 19, 2009
Ethiopian famine of 1980, though very little modern about it.
Cultural prejudice among those fleeing armies leads to understanding.
Dark, but with redemptive aspects
One girl who has lost all of her family, one who is blind
Role of oral tradition
Cultural prejudice among those fleeing armies leads to understanding.
Dark, but with redemptive aspects
One girl who has lost all of her family, one who is blind
Role of oral tradition
February 16, 2016
Rich in African culture. Somewhat sparsely told. There is a glossary with pronunciation of Amharic words, but their meaning can usually be picked up from the context. Bible stories and Ethiopian tales are interwoven. Ethnic tolerance is encouraged.
August 29, 2015
This was a very interesting children's book about Operation Moses when the Israeli government helped displaced Ethiopian Jews escape during the early 1980s. A part of history few people know much about.
November 22, 2008
It was too fast. There was little to build around and it was a hollow shell of what it could have been.
October 2, 2009
Great book!Don't judge someone because they're from another place
February 26, 2012
Wonderful book about Ethiopia. Particularly two young girls fleeing to Sudan and learning to ignore ethnic prejudices.
September 29, 2015
It is good.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews