One Foot Ashore [Paperback]

Jacqueline Dembar Greene (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2000 | Age Level: 8 and up

This companion novel to Out of Many Waters tells the story of Isobel's 16-year-old sister, Maria, who escapes on a separate ship, and eventually lands in Amsterdam.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8-A fitting sequel to Out of Many Waters (Walker, 1988), in which Maria and Isobel Ben Lazar, Portuguese Jews, are kidnapped during the Inquisition and sent to Brazil where they are forced into years of service at a monastery. That book sees the girls escape, and separate, and tells of Isobel's journey; One Foot Ashore is Maria's tale. The older girl tries to feel confident that her plan to stow away on different ships headed for the Netherlands was correct, but she constantly worries about her younger sister. Adventure and history are intertwined in this engrossing story that illuminates an often neglected period of history for young people. Maria, a strong, resourceful 16-year-old, is driven by a determination to be reunited with her family. She manages to stay hidden on the ship and to survive the ocean crossing. Readers are made aware of Maria's inner thoughts through her convenient interaction and conversations with a baby rat who becomes her pet and companion. Once in Amsterdam, her connection with Rembrandt, the Dutch artist, and his family adds another dimension to the story. There is much that is contrived here. It becomes obvious that Maria will be led to her parents, and it is no surprise that the sailor she meets will have knowledge of Isobel's fate. Nonetheless this remains an absorbing read.
Renee Steinberg, Fieldstone Middle School, Montvale, NJ
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Gr. 4-6. Kidnapped from their Portuguese home and taken to work in a Brazilian monastery in the mid 1600s, Maria and her younger sister, Isobel, stow away on separate boats headed for Amsterdam. In Out of Many Waters (1988), Greene told Isobel Ben Lazar's story. This companion novel follows Maria during the same period. The beginning of the book relates Maria's experiences as a stowaway--hiding, stealing food, and befriending a family of rats. Once in Amsterdam, she's taken into the household of Rembrandt, who employs her to help his wife run the household. He also introduces her to his friends in the Jewish community, and they help Maria find her parents. Greene creates a concrete, convincing sense of the time and place. Even the risky introduction of Rembrandt as a character is handled so skillfully that he emerges as a complex character rather than a wooden figure of reverence. Maria's love for her pet rat Domingo adds a very personal dimension to the story. An intriguing historical novel that will lead to requests for sequels, since it ends with Maria and her parents embarking on the voyage that will reunite them with Isobel in New Amsterdam--if all goes well. Readers who have come to care about the characters will want to follow them to the New World. Carolyn Phelan --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 196 pages
• Publisher: Walker Books for Young Readers (October 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802776019
• ISBN-13: 978-0802776013
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,318,636 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars :), September 21, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: One Foot Ashore (Hardcover)

Maria's story is a delicious mix from the above average. You'll want to read it and it's compainion, Out of Many Waters over and over again! The story is captivating, the charactors, highly believable

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars really good must read, January 31, 2000

By 

susie kahn (usa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: One Foot Ashore (Hardcover)

i loved this book i recomend you buy it for yourself or someone else im a 14 year old girl and i think that even someone older than me should read it and would enjoy it i also read the sequel so if your buying this as a gift get the set or the gift getter will be mad you didnt give the otherone when they finish the first please buy this book it deserves a nobel prize.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I really enjoyed One Foot Ashore., May 22, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: One Foot Ashore (Hardcover)

This book is about a girl, Maria and how she got separated from her sister and escaped to Amsterdam. I learnded a couple of words in Portuguese. I really liked this book because it is adventurous. I recommend this book to any one who loves adventures. It is a great book.