In the writings of the Hebrew Bible, the repair of the Temple wall is recorded. One verse stands out since it references women assisting in this task--something normally designated to men only. "Shallum son of Hallohesh and his daughters repaired the next section" (from Nehemiah 3:12). Britton takes this one verse and crafts an entire story from it. Readers learn about Adah and her family. They see ancient Jerusalem thru her eyes as she first vows to help her aged parents rebuild their section of the wall. Drama ensues when nearby enemies try to thwart the progress on the wall--something recorded in the Hebrew Bible. There is some mild romance interwoven in the pages as Adah and her sister get married. Wholesome yet enticing, there is nothing graphic. While we may not know much about Shallum's daughters cited in Nehemiah 3:12, this book does an excellent job of creating a believable tale about these remarkable women. Hebrew mannerisms and customs, as well as Hebrew phrases, are included to truly transport readers into this fascinating time.
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