Lydia, Queen of Palestine (Puffin Book) [Paperback]

Uri Orlev (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1995 | Series: Puffin Book

"In her own words, Lydia is a 'terror.' She is also a survivor, escaping to Palestine from Romania during WWII to become a resident of a kibbutz. After reading her account, one might conclude that particular kibbutz was never again the same . . . Ingenious, self-confident,. energetic, and bright, Lydia is a force to be reckoned with--and a character no one can ignore."--The Horn Book.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Orlev's "judicious invocation of historical events and his energetic emphasis on the characters' personal dramas" bring to life two very different protagonists in these exceptional novels set during WWII; the impact, said PW, is "unimpeachable." Ages 10-up; 12-up.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-7-Lydia, a typically self-centered and unusually spirited child caught up in the dissolution of her personal and societal worlds, narrates her story. Her parents separate, divorce, and ultimately remarry-both to people she considers to be her enemies. World War II Romania becomes an increasingly dangerous place for Jews, and Lydia's mother sends her to a kibbutz in Israel, promising to follow soon. Adjustment to communal life is difficult for an individualist like Lydia, and when her mother neither arrives nor writes, she seeks out her father, already in Israel. Reluctantly, she comes to realize that "That Woman" to whom he is now married is not really an adversary. When her mother arrives married to the man Lydia had tried to get rid of, she is also able to accept him. For slightly younger readers than, and neither as taut nor as involving as, Orlev's The Island on Bird Street (1984) and The Man from the Other Side (1991, both Houghton), this is an honest book peopled with convincing characters whose petty jealousies and concerns occupy them more than the larger events of the world in which they live. Lydia's experiences are often wryly humorous; she is both inventive and unpredictable, and never boring. This offers a contrast to the spate of Holocaust books with harrowing escapes and heroic protagonists, but it may not have as much intrinsic appeal for young readers.
Louise L. Sherman, Anna C. Scott School, Leonia, NJ
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 170 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (January 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140370897
• ISBN-13: 978-0140370898
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #689,138 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My copy is falling apart., August 26, 2007

By 

A. Gannon (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lydia, Queen of Palestine (Puffin Book) (Paperback)

I got this book as a 10-yr-old off at one of those Scholastic book fairs (which i lived for). It sat on my shelf for a year or two before I ever opened it, but I'm telling you when I finally did read it, it quickly became my favorite book. I'm sure i've read it about 20/30 times. And the best thing is that as you get older you get different things from it. As you learn more about history, you piece the story together and it become more than just a kid's book. When i was eleven i didn't know what the Holocaust was. As a child it just was a story about a funny little girl on a adventure, and how brave and grown up she became. It contained no violence, (except in the character's twisted little imagination). As a young adult, reading it again it was a window into the history of that time from the point of view that same little girl. Lights went on thet had never gone one before. Anyways, amazing book for the 9-12 crowd. I'm 21 years old now and its the only book from my childhood I never plan on getting rid of. "Down with Fraulein Gertrud!"

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Real review you need!, March 16, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Lydia, Queen of Palestine (Puffin Book) (Paperback)

I found this book to be very interesting. I was very amused with what i read. I couldn't put it down and this meant i read it in one day. I wanted to keep reading though. If you like to read books about life and adventures and children. You'll like to read this one!! The author did a great job. The best part about it was that it was based on a real person, and me to think a person had that much flare and compasion was very amazing. She seemed to be very unique. I would recommend this to anyone who likes to read.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best book of the 21st century, I think., September 24, 2002

By 

"longlash816" (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lydia, Queen of Palestine (Puffin Book) (Paperback)

The Best Book of the 21st Century!
I really liked this book for several reasons:
1.) My name is shared with that of the herione of this story. 2.) It was very funny :-D. Example- Lydia loves making up soapopras with her dolls. And ever uses them a a jury when she declares people to be her 'ememy/ies'. 3.) This book is historically acturate. 4.) It has a happy ending I'd give this book 100000000000 stars if I could!!!!!