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For twenty-four years the Dutch colony of Pernambuco in northeastern Brazil was a safe haven for Jews who had escaped the Inquisition in Europe. Recife, its capital, was known as “Colonial Jerusalem,” and it was from this religiously tolerant town that Asser Levy tells his story. When the Portuguese recaptured the territory in 1654, they brought the Inquisition and its torments with them, forcing Asser and his family and friends to flee to Holland. About fifteen ships arrive safely in Holland; Asser’s ship does not.
“The book breathes life into a little-known yet important Jewish figure of early New Amsterdam and New York. Through a series of diary entries based on fact and the author’s creation, the author brings out the emotion, drama, and conflicts of Asser Levy’s turbulent journey to a new land in search of religious freedom. … The book will add color to classroom lessons on early US history and on Jewish immigration.” —Paul Kaplan, author of Jewish New York: A History and Guide to Neighborhoods, Synagogues, and Eateries
“What an extraordinary amount of research went into it! And what a creative way of combining historical fiction and contemporary pictures. Kudos!” —Cynthia Levinson, author of The Youngest Marcher
“What a fine job [Daniela] did with this story! … The diary-style keeps the pace moving, and the adventures make it exciting. Lots of setting details bring the scenes alive, and the dialogue engages the reader in the plot. I can see how it will be easy for a young reader to identify with Asser, worrying about how (and if) he’ll succeed in his quest.” —Gail Jarrow, author of Fatal Fever
“Against all odds, I had landed in this place. And by God, against all odds, I would succeed here.”
The Diary of Asser Levy by Daniela Weil is a unique glimpse into the life of a young Jewish man, the son of a butcher, forced to leave his home in Brazil and return to Amsterdam. That journey, which was fraught with danger and misfortune, turned out to be completely different from what Asser anticipated.
Weil clearly explains at the end of this delightful book that this historical fiction is based on actual documents and interviews from experts outlining this time in history when 23 Jews ended up at the Dutch settlement in New Amsterdam (southern tip of Manhattan Island) in the mid-1600s. Asser Levy was a real person in this narrative, but Weil has taken the liberty of augmenting his diary based on her investigations and research. The diary entries are complemented with actual documentation and letters during the outlined events, providing the fluidity of fiction with the veracity of facts. With the diary aspect, the overall story has a choppy feel to it, leaving a lot to the reader’s imagination. What is presented, however, is engaging and interesting on both an entertainment level and an historical level.
The most intriguing, albeit distressing, aspect of this diary is that it highlights the hardships of refugees in an unwelcoming environment and the anguish of persecution based on religion. Centuries later, people still experience such oppression on various levels. Asser Levy is a young man determined to stand his ground and gain his rights in this town. His fortitude is a commendable trait, making this story perfect for both young and adult readers who love an interesting snippet of history wrapped in a fictional diary, complete with maps, documents, glossary, timeline, and modern-day photos of related historical sites.
The Diary of Asser Levy is a short read, but it will no doubt leave a lasting impression amidst our own current volatile times of racism and prejudice because it shows that Asser’s perseverance and courage to follow the law rather than resort to violence and bloodshed were the most admirable ways to gain the rights that should never have been denied in the first place.
Enter the giveaway below on or before October 2, 2020, for a chance to win an autographed copy of The Diary of Asser Levy by Daniela Weil.
I received a free copy of this book from Lone Star Book Blog Tours in exchange for my honest review.
Daniela Weil was born in Brazil. She attended the International School in São Paulo, where she was surrounded by people and cultures from around the world. It was also there that she developed a passion for nature, art, and writing. After earning a BA in biology from Brandeis University in Boston, Weil became a field research biologist. She participated in various whale projects, including illustrating the first field guide for whales and dolphins in Brazil.
Being a mother rekindled her desire to share her passion about the natural world. She joined the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and attended workshops on writing nonfiction and science for kids. After writing several articles on science and history, she ventured into books. Weil attended the Texas Library Association annual conference with her SCBWI group and met the folks from Pelican, who were intrigued by her middle-grade book idea. As the project developed, her research took her back to Brazil and across the world, chasing Asser’s experiences.
When not on the hunt for new experiences, Weil makes her home in Austin, Texas, with her husband, Erik, and daughter, Lucy.
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Excellent review, though it is distressing that the themes of racism and prejudice are still relevant all these years later. But we need books like this to remind us. Thanks for the post.