Era of the early Acharonim — 16th – 18th centuries

Expulsion from Spain and the Inquisition

The Exiles of Crocodile Island by Henye Meyer. Engaging, well-written novel set during the expulsion. Ages 12 and up.

The Family Y Aguilar by Rabbi Marcus Lehmann. Novel about a family of hidden Jews during the Inquisition. Ages 14 and up.

The Spanish Treasure by Meir Baram. Engaging, adventurous novel set during the Inquisition. Ages 10 and up.

Esperanza by Rebbetzin Sarah Feldbrand. Novel set during the Inquisition. Ages 12 and up.

More Precious than Gold by Evelyn Mizrahi Blatt and Eve Lynn Gardner. Ages 8 and up.

The Clockmaker’s Apprentice by Eva Vogiel. Novel set during the Inquisition. Ages 10 and up.

Escape from Seville – graphic novel. All ages.

Terra Incognita by Libi Astaire. A novel about crypto-Jews in today’s Spain, and the history of their community. Ages 14 and up.

Skulls and Crossbones – graphic novel about Jewish pirates. All ages.

The Secret of Carlos Romanus by Esther Kosofsky. Chapter book for beginning readers. Ages 6 and up.

Jewish scholars and Jewish life in France and Germany

The Stranger at the Gate by Rabbi Marcus Lehmann.

Unpaid Ransom by Rabbi Marcus Lehmann. Story of the Maharam from Rotenberg. Ages 14 and up.

The Captivity of the Maharam by Shmuel Argamon.

The Kadosh of Tirnau by Shmuel Rothstein. Ages 14 and up.

Rabbi Yoselman of Rosheim by Rabbi Marcus Lehmann. Ages 14 and up.

The Story of Pnei Yehoshua by Shimon Finkelman.

Jewish life in Poland and Ukraine; beginnings of the Chassidic movement

The Promised Child by Avner Gold. Book 1 in a series. This is the new and expanded edition. Ages 12 and up.

The Dream by Avner Gold. Book 2 in a series. Ages 12 and up.

The Year of the Sword by Avner Gold. Book 3 in a series. The Chmelnietsky massacres. Ages 12 and up.

Twilight by Avner Gold. Book 4 in a series. Ages 12 and up.

The Imposter by Avner Gold. Book 5 in a series. The story of Shabtai Tzvi, the false messiah. Ages 12 and up.

The Purple Ring by Avner Gold. Book 6 in a series. Ages 12 and up.

Envoy from Vienna by Avner Gold. Book 7 in a series. Expulsion of Jews from Vienna. Ages 12 and up.

The Marrano Prince by Avner Gold. Book 8 in a series. Spanish Inquisition. Ages 12 and up.

The Long Road to Freedom by Avner Gold. Book 9 in a series. Ages 12 and up.

Scandal in Amsterdam by Avner Gold. Book 10 in a series. Ages 12 and up.

The Fur Traders by Avner Gold. Book 11 in a series. Early Jewish life in America. Ages 12 and up.

Midnight Intruders by Avner Gold. Book 12 in a series. The Chacham Tzvi. Ages 12 and up.

The Adopted Princess by Rabbi Marcus Lehmann. The Shach. Ages 12 and up.

The Story of the Baal Shem Tov by Rebbetzin Sarah Feldbrand. Ages 8 and up.

Stories of the Baal Shem Tov by Rabbi Yisroel Yaakov Klapholtz.

In Search of Reb Levi Yitzchak by Rebbetzin Sarah Feldbrand. Ages 8 and up.

Jewish life and struggles in other lands.

Journey to the End of the Earth by Devorah Rand. The struggle for establishing a Jewish community in England in the 17th century. Ages 12 and up.