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Adara
In ninth-century Gilead, Adara is sold into slavery to a powerful general and his family, beginning a journey of self-discovery, healing, and redemption. The soldier heaved me over his shoulder as if I were a spring lamb.
"I am not Israelite!" I screamed.
I beat his back, hurting my hands. "Let me go." Adara has always longed to do the things that well-brought-up girls of her time are not supposed to do. She wants to learn to read and write ― like men. And she wants the freedom to travel ― like men ― outside the boundaries of her sheltered life.
One day, she awakens to a blast of trumpets as the Israelites and Arameans battle just outside the safety of her village walls. Curious, Adara sneaks out to see the battle. Little does she know that this will be her last day of freedom for a very long time.
Sold into slavery, Adara becomes a servant to General Namaan and his family and begins a remarkable journey of self-discovery, healing, and redemption ― a journey that ultimately brings the hardest decision of her life.A historical novel for middle grade readers from author Beatrice Gormley.
"I am not Israelite!" I screamed.
I beat his back, hurting my hands. "Let me go." Adara has always longed to do the things that well-brought-up girls of her time are not supposed to do. She wants to learn to read and write ― like men. And she wants the freedom to travel ― like men ― outside the boundaries of her sheltered life.
One day, she awakens to a blast of trumpets as the Israelites and Arameans battle just outside the safety of her village walls. Curious, Adara sneaks out to see the battle. Little does she know that this will be her last day of freedom for a very long time.
Sold into slavery, Adara becomes a servant to General Namaan and his family and begins a remarkable journey of self-discovery, healing, and redemption ― a journey that ultimately brings the hardest decision of her life.A historical novel for middle grade readers from author Beatrice Gormley.
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
About the author
Beatrice Gormley
45 books30 followers Born in Glendale, California, Beatrice grew up in Southern California. After graduating from Pomona College, she worked in publishing near San Francisco. There she met and married Robert Gormley, and they moved to Massachusetts. They have two daughters.
Since age 9 Beatrice had wanted to become a writer. But it wasn't until after her children were born that she really focused on her writing. In 1981 her first book, Mail Order Wings,was published. Since then she's written many popular novels and biographies for young people. Her most recent books are Second Lives, a novel of humans and other animals, and the biography Joe Biden: Our 46th President.
Since age 9 Beatrice had wanted to become a writer. But it wasn't until after her children were born that she really focused on her writing. In 1981 her first book, Mail Order Wings,was published. Since then she's written many popular novels and biographies for young people. Her most recent books are Second Lives, a novel of humans and other animals, and the biography Joe Biden: Our 46th President.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
December 3, 2010
I'm amazed at how Beatrice Gormley took one chapter from the Bible--II Kings, Chapter 5--and expanded it into a novel! Most of the incidents in the Bible chapter happen in the last quarter of the book. The first 3/4ths of the story describe how the Israelite servant girl comes to be the maid of General Naaman's wife. Gormley gives her a name, Adara, and a home town, Ramoth-Gilead, the scene of a battle between the Israelites and the Aramites. Sneaking out to view the battle, Adara is captured by the Aramites and given to Lady Doronit to be her slave. What I really liked is that, even in that remote time, Adara envisions more for herself than just the traditional role of wife and mother. I also liked her strong faith, which ultimately led to her own good fortune as well as the good fortune of those in the General's household. The details of life then were very interesting, though I would have liked a list of books or web sites for further information on the time period. Nevertheless, I hated to see this story end, and highly recommend it, especially if you like historical fiction.
January 27, 2026
Wait, when the choice for freedom is given to her she LIES so she can stay a slave?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 3, 2017
This book gave me a different perspective and I enjoyed learning about another culture. I chose to read this book because it was historical fiction and I do not have much experience with reading historical fiction. I would recommend this book to students who are religious because there were mentions of Bible stories. I would also recommend this book to people who are adopted or have adopted siblings as well as anyone who has ever lived in the Middle East.
In school, this book could be used when discussing multiculturalism. It would be beneficial to use for a discussion on slavery or in a history unit.
Drugs-none
Sex-none
R&R-none
Language-none
Violence-yes
In school, this book could be used when discussing multiculturalism. It would be beneficial to use for a discussion on slavery or in a history unit.
Drugs-none
Sex-none
R&R-none
Language-none
Violence-yes
October 17, 2019
I enjoyed Adara. I feel that it should be a read aloud to younger students depending on their temperment. Adara sees a war with people dying in front of her and it is very descriptive. This may be disturbing to some children. Also, I do see a no-no word on. p. 94 for those who have elementary students reading it independently. One of the characters explaining how her mother was involved in her enslavement says, " I understand already, you false-tongued slut of a jackal's mother!"
Adara is a lovely book. I love how Beatrice Gormley developed the family and the characters based on Scripture. I can't wait to hear what my students are going to say in our literature circle :)
Adara is a lovely book. I love how Beatrice Gormley developed the family and the characters based on Scripture. I can't wait to hear what my students are going to say in our literature circle :)
January 15, 2025
I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this book, which I read aloud for my kid’s ancient history study on Israel. It deals well with Biblical facts, retells a great story in an interesting way and shows main characters learning humility, finding God and being blessed by Him. Definitely my favorite book I’ve read in this study so far!
September 13, 2026
Funnily enough, my kids didn't think this was amazing writing, but I enjoyed the fleshing out of 'Adara's' story. Without research, a lot of the biblical cultural setting is missed in reading the Bible text that historical fiction like this is a very enjoyable way to understand more of what was happening in an account.
November 21, 2018
Told from the view point of the servant girl that brought Namaan to the prophet Elijah to be healed from leprosy. I read aloud to the kids and was enjoyed by all. Great insight to theories time period. (Ancient history)
January 22, 2024
Adara is a fun and interesting book about Naaman's servant. I recommend you read the story in the Bible before reading this book. I am 10 years old and I finished it in two days because it was really interesting and I didn't want to stop reading it. -Caroline
February 7, 2025
This was a morning read aloud for the kids. It fit perfectly with our Bible reading about General Naaman and the slave girl. The kids loved this story! It was engaging and they loved connected all the moments in the story to what we had already read in the Bible.
February 28, 2018
Such a beautiful story that was excellently written!
October 30, 2019
Read it for homeschooling. It was ok - I don’t love the main character. But the setting is interesting in telling a story of the lands around ancient Israel.
November 27, 2021
An interesting “what if” of the story of Naaman. Four stars for nostalgia.
March 21, 2022
This was also a book that I read for school. I thought that it was pretty good. I didn't love the main character, but she wasn't too bad. Over all, I am glad that I read this.
June 18, 2022
Interesting story that my kids and I read in our homeschool history class.
March 5, 2023
The story of Naaman, told from the slave girl's perspective
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March 21, 2023This was a read aloud for my kids to go along with our ancient history studies. Enjoyed it!
July 30, 2023
Such a wonderful book!!
October 25, 2024
A re-telling of the story of Namaan found in 2 Kings 5. It was well done and enjoyable.
January 6, 2022
Highly recommend for late elementary and middle school readers. We read this along with 1 and 2 Kings and my boys loved seeing the Bible come to life through this little girls story.
January 16, 2016
10/13: Can't remember when I read this. Considering reading aloud to the boys.
Book Description:
The soldier heaved me over his shoulder as if I were a spring lamb. "I am not Israelite!" I screamed.
Adara has always longed to do the things that well-brought-up girls of her time are not supposed to do. She wants to learn to read and write like men. And she wants the freedom to travel like men outside the boundaries of her sheltered life.
One day she awakens to a blast of trumpets as the Israelites and Arameans battle just outside the safety of her village walls. Curious, Adara sneaks out to see the battle. Little does she know that this will be her last day of freedom for a very long time.
Sold into slavery, Adara becomes a servant to General Namaan and his family and begins a remarkable journey of self-discovery, healing, and redemption a journey that, in the end, faces her with the hardest decision of her life . . .
Book Description:
The soldier heaved me over his shoulder as if I were a spring lamb. "I am not Israelite!" I screamed.
Adara has always longed to do the things that well-brought-up girls of her time are not supposed to do. She wants to learn to read and write like men. And she wants the freedom to travel like men outside the boundaries of her sheltered life.
One day she awakens to a blast of trumpets as the Israelites and Arameans battle just outside the safety of her village walls. Curious, Adara sneaks out to see the battle. Little does she know that this will be her last day of freedom for a very long time.
Sold into slavery, Adara becomes a servant to General Namaan and his family and begins a remarkable journey of self-discovery, healing, and redemption a journey that, in the end, faces her with the hardest decision of her life . . .
July 22, 2011
After sneaking out to watch a battle between Israelite and Aramean armies, Adara is claimed as "loot" and sold into slavery. She grows up in the household of the great General Namaan where she works hard but is treated kindly. Adara clings to the stories about Yahweh that her surrogate mother/housekeeper always told her. In the end, Yahweh uses Adara and the prophet Elisha to change Namaan's life forever, proving that God can use difficult circumstances (Adara's slavery) for good.
It was interesting to see the author weave together a story based on 2 Kings chapter 4:1-7 (the widow's oil) and chapter 5 (Namaan healed of leprosy). The story begins a little slow, but once Adara begins working in Namaan's household, the plot picks up a bit. It's a great story to help kids understand some of the Old Testament in historical context.
It was interesting to see the author weave together a story based on 2 Kings chapter 4:1-7 (the widow's oil) and chapter 5 (Namaan healed of leprosy). The story begins a little slow, but once Adara begins working in Namaan's household, the plot picks up a bit. It's a great story to help kids understand some of the Old Testament in historical context.
July 29, 2013
A quick read.
As some said, it was often slow. I liked how it had stories from the Bible and how it all related, but Adara to me was not the sharpest knife in the drawer for wanting to see a war, which led to her capture.
To me, as I said previously, Adara was not very bright and though I liked her a bit she was a paper character.
It switched from Adara's first person to Naaman's third person which was odd.
As some said, it was often slow. I liked how it had stories from the Bible and how it all related, but Adara to me was not the sharpest knife in the drawer for wanting to see a war, which led to her capture.
To me, as I said previously, Adara was not very bright and though I liked her a bit she was a paper character.
It switched from Adara's first person to Naaman's third person which was odd.
February 19, 2009
Okay, for one thing it needs a grammar edit, but other than that, the storyline of Adara was pretty intriguing and kept me interested, for the most part. Adara shows the pain and suffering as a young girl, and yet how God can turn evil into good.
January 5, 2008
reading aloud to the girls.
March 6, 2013
Good story of hope and courage from a young girl point of view during a period when girls were considered less than worthy to read and write.
January 7, 2015
Captivating and endearing. We loved reading this story.
May 30, 2015
Compelling story
The author combines history/Biblical truth with interpretation, filling in the gaps. It is a fun, informative read for most ages above 7.
The author combines history/Biblical truth with interpretation, filling in the gaps. It is a fun, informative read for most ages above 7.
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January 26, 2009This was a good history read!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews