Reviews

Levine (Sparrows in the Wind ) leverages meticulous historical detail to craft an evocative medieval murder mystery. In 1277 Winchester, England, three 11-year-olds—affluent Jewish cousins Chera and Lummie, and working-class Christian Joan—form an unlikely friendship that defies their town’s rigid social and religious divisions, which are exacerbated by an exploitative economy and widespread persecution of Jews. The trio’s bond deepens over the course of academic lessons with Rabbi Baruch and adventurous explorations of a nearby forest rumored to hide myriad dangers. But when Chera’s grandmother and her handmaid, Joan’s mother, are murdered, and the authorities’ prime suspect flees, the children conduct their own investigation, doubtful of the runaway’s involvement. And after another death raises fears for Lummie’s grandmother’s safety, the children devise a risky plan to uncover the truth. Chera’s sensorial narration moves between gripping suspense and instances of quiet domesticity, occasionally shaped by imagined conversations with her late grandmother. Thoroughly researched and emotionally resonant, the novel illuminates the realities of medieval England while centering the enduring power of friendship and compassion. It’s an expansive adventure that balances action with thoughtful explorations of injustice and the pursuit of truth. An author’s note concludes. Ages 10 and up.
★ Booklist, September 14, 2026