Sylvie Weil

The streets are eerily empty, and everyone in the Jewish community is terrified of Peter the Hermit. His men, the Crusaders, are moving through the town on their way to the Holy Land. They have been known to batter down doors and burn Jewish houses, all in the name of religion.

This is not Nazi Germany but Troyes, France, in 1096, as seen through the eyes of funny, feisty, twelve-year-old Elvina. She is the granddaughter of the great rabbi Rashi, and she knows how to read and write—which show more is very rare for a girl of her time. She draws strength from this, as well as from her guardian angel, to whom she regularly speaks.

On a cold Sabbath afternoon while Elvina is alone in the house, three soldiers pound at her door. One of them is wounded. Elvina has only a moment to make a difficult choice that could put her family and the entire community at risk. Can her guardian angel guide her and keep her safe?

My Guardian Angel is a story of compassion and tolerance that speaks clearly to readers of all faiths. Elvina’s voice lingers long in memory, and her courage and humor long in the heart. show less

MY Guardian Angel is set in a Jewish community in Troyes, France. The crusaders are travelling through the land and the whole community is afraid of what violent action might be visited on them through the crusaders. Twelve year old Elvina is the grandaughter of a great teacher/rabbi Rashi. She is allowed to sit in the back of the Jewish school and has been trained in herbal cures.

Elvina takes a chance and helps out some crusaders, twice, because she thinks it is the right thing to do. Will show more those choices bring destruction on her family? Who is the guardian angel? Will Elvina start her own school? Will she live long enough to get married?

Nicely written, this book addresses a scary time without lots of violence and while the danger is serious it is not scary. show less

In 11th century Troyes, France, Elvina, the unusual granddaughter of renowned Jewish rabbi Solomon ben Isaac (Rashi), who prefers studying and writing to activities considered respectable for girls, takes a great risk by helping a young boy who has run away from a group of Christian Crusaders.

In 11th century Troyes, France, Elvina, the unusual granddaughter of renowned Jewish rabbi, Solomon ben Isaac, who prefers studying and writing to activities considered respectable for girls, takes a grave risk?