{"id":239693430794,"title":"Meet Me at the Well","handle":"meet-me-at-the-well","description":"\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan size=\"4\" style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003eMeet Me at the Well\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan size=\"3\" style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003eThe Girls and Women of the Bible\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR\/ILLUSTRATOR INFO BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/pages\/jane-yolen\"\u003e Jane Yolen\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/pages\/barbara-diamond-goldin\"\u003eBarbara Diamond Goldin\u003c\/a\u003e \/ Illustrated by: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/pages\/vali-mintzi\"\u003eVali Mintzi\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER HEADING BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOld Testament stories center around men. Leaders, prophets, kings, and priests are all male. But hidden in the background are strong-willed, daring women.\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER DESCRIPTION BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJane Yolen and Barbara Diamond Goldin's masterful retellings pairs eloquent profiles with stunning art, answering one question: What makes these women heroes? From first woman, Eve, to Deborah the judge, to Queen Esther, savior of her people, females in the Hebrew bible are resourceful and courageous.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEach chapter is devoted to a single story with text complemented by sidebars, known in Jewish tradition as \"midrashim,\" that pose questions, provide more information, and include nondenominational interpretations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER RECOMMENDATIONS BELOW - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"recommended-books\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIf you like this book, you’ll enjoy these:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/products\/the-language-of-angels\"\u003eThe Language of Angels\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - START OF TABS - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e [TABS]\n\u003ch5\u003eLook Inside\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"cvr-border-gray\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/meet-me-at-the-well-spread.jpg?8824429112643133821\"\u003e\u003c!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --\u003e \u003cscript type=\"text\/javascript\" async=\"\" defer data-pin-shape=\"round\" data-pin-height=\"32\" data-pin-hover=\"true\" src=\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/js\/pinit.js\"\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor \u0026amp; Illustrator\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJane Yolen, author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJane Yolen is the award-winning author of more than three hundred children's books including \u003ci\u003eLast Laughs: Animal Epitaphs\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eBad Girls\u003c\/i\u003e (with Heidi E. Y. Stemple), \u003ci\u003eOwl Moon\u003c\/i\u003e (Penguin), and the How Do Dinosaurs . . . ? series (Scholastic). She currently lives in Western MA.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eBarbara Diamond Goldin, author\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBarbara Diamond Goldin is the author of many picture books and story collections. She received the prestigious Sydney Taylor Body-of-Work Award in 1997. A former teacher and children's librarian, Barbara is now a library director in Western Massachusetts, and she also leads writing workshops and speaks about writing to school and library groups around the country.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - ENTER ILLUSTRATOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVali Mintzi, illustrator\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVali Mintzi is an illustrator, graphic designer, and puppet-theater designer. She is the illustrator of \u003ci\u003eThe Girl With the Brave Heart: A Tale from Tehran\u003c\/i\u003e (Barefoot Books) as well as several children's books in Hebrew. She lives in Jerusalem with her architect partner and three daughters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - ENTER AWARDS \u0026 HONORS BELOW - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAwards \u0026amp; Honors\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComing soon!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - ENTER REVIEWS BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEditorial Reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/star-fade.gif?18127980511287865543\"\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e, starred review\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo award-winning children's-book authors team up for a more modern, feminist take on stories of girls and women in the Hebrew Bible. In biblical times, wells were the centers of social life for teenage girls—where future husbands and thirsty animals might appear and news and gossip are traded. Via 14 stories that range from Eve, the first woman and mother, to Esther, who becomes savior and queen of her people, readers learn about these and other complicated subjects including marriage, motherhood, infertility, widowhood, and inheritance as well as female roles and experiences as judge, prophet, and leader. Each chapter offers a story overview identifying female heroism, as well as annotated sidebars anticipating readers' questions, followed by an \"Imagine\" segment in the character's voice by Goldin and a poem by Yolen. The authors demystify the concept of midrash—noncanonical exploration of or commentary on a story or text—empowering readers to consider their own searching examinations of the subjects presented. Most of the commentary is from Jewish sources, but some include commonalities with other faiths, particularly Christianity and Islam. While the presentation is a little staid, this book is solid, well-researched, well-organized, and especially appropriate for young people preparing for or celebrating coming-of-age rituals. A much-needed, thoughtful updating of Bible stories about women that functions as both storytelling experience and classic reference tome.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYolen and Goldin have collaborated on a text suitable for students’ first serious foray into Biblical analysis or midrash with a focus on women. (“Still we must never forget that even in the stories about men, there are women.”) Nine chapters discuss a total of 14 women and girls from the Hebrew Bible. A working familiarity with the stories of Eve, Rebecca, Deborah, Esther, etc. is assumed. The opening page of each chapter notes the relevant Biblical verses for reference, but Yolen and Goldin move right into retelling and commentary. Using the Jewish tradition of marginalia, they include sidebars anticipating readers’ questions, such as “So many men in the Bible have more than one wife—why?” They also discuss differing interpretations and additional insights held by Jewish tradition. Drawing connections among all three Abrahamic faiths, Yolen and Goldin often include references to Islamic practice and belief. However, the authors say little about the commonly held Islamic belief that Abraham was prepared to sacrifice his son Ishmael—not Isaac, as in Jewish and Christian tradition. Both authors present a more detailed imagining of the women’s stories at the conclusion of each chapter, Goldin in prose and Yolen in verse. Mintzi’s artwork, done in a variety of blues, oranges, browns, and reds, skillfully communicates the landscapes. VERDICT A solid source of study and reflection for libraries with religious patrons.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBooklist\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat women are given the short shrift in the Hebrew Bible is no news, but as Yolen and Golden point out in their introduction, their stories have been more fully explored in Jewish midrash — defined in part as “a Jewish story that explains, clarifies, or elaborates” a Bible passage — and lately from a feminine perspective. The authors delve deeply into history and motivations in this collection of 14 biblical tales that highlight women, young and old, who have been imprinted on Western consciousness. First there is a recounting of the relevant story, with sidebars that explain terms and customs (e.g., the marriage of cousins or problematic issues such as the binding of Isaac). Following are short original works, including poems, that take readers inside the minds of the women. Each chapter features a lovely full-page piece of artwork. This organization, though somewhat clunky, nevertheless makes for an informative book. The authors don’t shy away from difficult subject matters — for instance, Naomi’s instructions to Ruth about enticing their kinsman Boaz. At the conclusion, readers are encouraged to come up with their own midrashim.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBooklist\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMost well-known Bible stories often seem to be all about the men. Set against this backdrop, the 14 women profiled in this book stand out for their wisdom, strength, and courage. Vali Mintzi’s colorful gouache illustrations are lovely, and as refreshing as water in a desert land. Featuring condensed Bible stories, imagined soliloquies, and poems to describe the inner life and motivations of these women, the resulting text is an interesting study in perspective. Yolen succeeds most with the personal poems and emphasis on story as folktale, but both authors provide a solid frame of reference for women in the history and culture of ancient times. The difficulty comes with the term midrash, which is commentary or attempted explanation of the scriptures referenced. It is not a term known by most non-Jewish readers of the Bible, and the placement of sidebars directly in the middle of the main text with frequent questioning is distracting. Featuring extensive source notes, they seem intended for a more scholarly approach. Indeed, the authors invite readers to speak or write their own midrashim, making this book perhaps a better fit for collections with an emphasis on Judaica.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DOWNLOADABLES BELOW - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDownloadables\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/meet-me-at-the-well.jpg?8824429112643133821\" style=\"display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/meet-me-at-the-well-hires.zip?9351276500875390300\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eDownload the Cover\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DETAILS BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDetails\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardcover\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003eISBN: \u003cspan\u003e978-1-58089-374-9\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eE-book\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eISBN: \u003cspan\u003e978-1-60734-927-3\u003c\/span\u003e EPUB\u003cbr\u003e ISBN: \u003cspan\u003e978-1-60734-646-3\u003c\/span\u003e PDF\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAges: 10+\u003cbr\u003ePage count: 112\u003cbr\u003e7 \u003csup\u003e1\u003c\/sup\u003e\/\u003csub\u003e2\u003c\/sub\u003e x 10\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCorrelated to Common Core State Standards:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEnglish Language Arts-Literacy. Reading Literature. Grade 5. Standards 1-4, 10\u003cbr\u003eEnglish Language Arts-Literacy. Reading Literature. Grade 6. Standards 1-5, 10\u003c\/p\u003e\n[\/TABS]","published_at":"2017-10-23T13:40:34-04:00","created_at":"2017-10-23T13:43:05-04:00","vendor":"Charlesbridge","type":"Children's Book","tags":["Browse by Age_Middle Grade","Browse by Fiction\/Nonfiction_Fiction","Browse by Format_Picture Book","Browse by Language_English","Browse by Subject_Diversity","Browse by Subject_History \u0026 Biography","Browse by Subject_Life Lessons \u0026 Skills","Browse by Subject_Social Studies\/Cultures","girl","judaica"],"price":950,"price_min":950,"price_max":950,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":1899,"compare_at_price_min":1899,"compare_at_price_max":1899,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":808070381578,"title":"Default Title","option1":"Default Title","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"93749","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":true,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Meet Me at the Well","public_title":null,"options":["Default Title"],"price":950,"weight":680,"compare_at_price":1899,"inventory_quantity":200,"inventory_management":"shopify","inventory_policy":"deny","barcode":"978-1-58089-374-9","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/meet-me-at-the-well-cover.jpg?v=1586798508"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/meet-me-at-the-well-cover.jpg?v=1586798508","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":"Meet Me at the Well book cover","id":2474929291343,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.756,"height":794,"width":600,"src":"\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/meet-me-at-the-well-cover.jpg?v=1586798508"},"aspect_ratio":0.756,"height":794,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/meet-me-at-the-well-cover.jpg?v=1586798508","width":600}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan size=\"4\" style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003eMeet Me at the Well\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan size=\"3\" style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003eThe Girls and Women of the Bible\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR\/ILLUSTRATOR INFO BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/pages\/jane-yolen\"\u003e Jane Yolen\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/pages\/barbara-diamond-goldin\"\u003eBarbara Diamond Goldin\u003c\/a\u003e \/ Illustrated by: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/pages\/vali-mintzi\"\u003eVali Mintzi\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER HEADING BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOld Testament stories center around men. Leaders, prophets, kings, and priests are all male. But hidden in the background are strong-willed, daring women.\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER DESCRIPTION BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJane Yolen and Barbara Diamond Goldin's masterful retellings pairs eloquent profiles with stunning art, answering one question: What makes these women heroes? From first woman, Eve, to Deborah the judge, to Queen Esther, savior of her people, females in the Hebrew bible are resourceful and courageous.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEach chapter is devoted to a single story with text complemented by sidebars, known in Jewish tradition as \"midrashim,\" that pose questions, provide more information, and include nondenominational interpretations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER RECOMMENDATIONS BELOW - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"recommended-books\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIf you like this book, you’ll enjoy these:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/products\/the-language-of-angels\"\u003eThe Language of Angels\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - START OF TABS - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e [TABS]\n\u003ch5\u003eLook Inside\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"cvr-border-gray\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/meet-me-at-the-well-spread.jpg?8824429112643133821\"\u003e\u003c!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --\u003e \u003cscript type=\"text\/javascript\" async=\"\" defer data-pin-shape=\"round\" data-pin-height=\"32\" data-pin-hover=\"true\" src=\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/js\/pinit.js\"\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor \u0026amp; Illustrator\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJane Yolen, author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJane Yolen is the award-winning author of more than three hundred children's books including \u003ci\u003eLast Laughs: Animal Epitaphs\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eBad Girls\u003c\/i\u003e (with Heidi E. Y. Stemple), \u003ci\u003eOwl Moon\u003c\/i\u003e (Penguin), and the How Do Dinosaurs . . . ? series (Scholastic). She currently lives in Western MA.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eBarbara Diamond Goldin, author\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBarbara Diamond Goldin is the author of many picture books and story collections. She received the prestigious Sydney Taylor Body-of-Work Award in 1997. A former teacher and children's librarian, Barbara is now a library director in Western Massachusetts, and she also leads writing workshops and speaks about writing to school and library groups around the country.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - ENTER ILLUSTRATOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVali Mintzi, illustrator\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVali Mintzi is an illustrator, graphic designer, and puppet-theater designer. She is the illustrator of \u003ci\u003eThe Girl With the Brave Heart: A Tale from Tehran\u003c\/i\u003e (Barefoot Books) as well as several children's books in Hebrew. She lives in Jerusalem with her architect partner and three daughters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - ENTER AWARDS \u0026 HONORS BELOW - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAwards \u0026amp; Honors\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComing soon!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - ENTER REVIEWS BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEditorial Reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/star-fade.gif?18127980511287865543\"\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e, starred review\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo award-winning children's-book authors team up for a more modern, feminist take on stories of girls and women in the Hebrew Bible. In biblical times, wells were the centers of social life for teenage girls—where future husbands and thirsty animals might appear and news and gossip are traded. Via 14 stories that range from Eve, the first woman and mother, to Esther, who becomes savior and queen of her people, readers learn about these and other complicated subjects including marriage, motherhood, infertility, widowhood, and inheritance as well as female roles and experiences as judge, prophet, and leader. Each chapter offers a story overview identifying female heroism, as well as annotated sidebars anticipating readers' questions, followed by an \"Imagine\" segment in the character's voice by Goldin and a poem by Yolen. The authors demystify the concept of midrash—noncanonical exploration of or commentary on a story or text—empowering readers to consider their own searching examinations of the subjects presented. Most of the commentary is from Jewish sources, but some include commonalities with other faiths, particularly Christianity and Islam. While the presentation is a little staid, this book is solid, well-researched, well-organized, and especially appropriate for young people preparing for or celebrating coming-of-age rituals. A much-needed, thoughtful updating of Bible stories about women that functions as both storytelling experience and classic reference tome.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYolen and Goldin have collaborated on a text suitable for students’ first serious foray into Biblical analysis or midrash with a focus on women. (“Still we must never forget that even in the stories about men, there are women.”) Nine chapters discuss a total of 14 women and girls from the Hebrew Bible. A working familiarity with the stories of Eve, Rebecca, Deborah, Esther, etc. is assumed. The opening page of each chapter notes the relevant Biblical verses for reference, but Yolen and Goldin move right into retelling and commentary. Using the Jewish tradition of marginalia, they include sidebars anticipating readers’ questions, such as “So many men in the Bible have more than one wife—why?” They also discuss differing interpretations and additional insights held by Jewish tradition. Drawing connections among all three Abrahamic faiths, Yolen and Goldin often include references to Islamic practice and belief. However, the authors say little about the commonly held Islamic belief that Abraham was prepared to sacrifice his son Ishmael—not Isaac, as in Jewish and Christian tradition. Both authors present a more detailed imagining of the women’s stories at the conclusion of each chapter, Goldin in prose and Yolen in verse. Mintzi’s artwork, done in a variety of blues, oranges, browns, and reds, skillfully communicates the landscapes. VERDICT A solid source of study and reflection for libraries with religious patrons.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBooklist\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat women are given the short shrift in the Hebrew Bible is no news, but as Yolen and Golden point out in their introduction, their stories have been more fully explored in Jewish midrash — defined in part as “a Jewish story that explains, clarifies, or elaborates” a Bible passage — and lately from a feminine perspective. The authors delve deeply into history and motivations in this collection of 14 biblical tales that highlight women, young and old, who have been imprinted on Western consciousness. First there is a recounting of the relevant story, with sidebars that explain terms and customs (e.g., the marriage of cousins or problematic issues such as the binding of Isaac). Following are short original works, including poems, that take readers inside the minds of the women. Each chapter features a lovely full-page piece of artwork. This organization, though somewhat clunky, nevertheless makes for an informative book. The authors don’t shy away from difficult subject matters — for instance, Naomi’s instructions to Ruth about enticing their kinsman Boaz. At the conclusion, readers are encouraged to come up with their own midrashim.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBooklist\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMost well-known Bible stories often seem to be all about the men. Set against this backdrop, the 14 women profiled in this book stand out for their wisdom, strength, and courage. Vali Mintzi’s colorful gouache illustrations are lovely, and as refreshing as water in a desert land. Featuring condensed Bible stories, imagined soliloquies, and poems to describe the inner life and motivations of these women, the resulting text is an interesting study in perspective. Yolen succeeds most with the personal poems and emphasis on story as folktale, but both authors provide a solid frame of reference for women in the history and culture of ancient times. The difficulty comes with the term midrash, which is commentary or attempted explanation of the scriptures referenced. It is not a term known by most non-Jewish readers of the Bible, and the placement of sidebars directly in the middle of the main text with frequent questioning is distracting. Featuring extensive source notes, they seem intended for a more scholarly approach. Indeed, the authors invite readers to speak or write their own midrashim, making this book perhaps a better fit for collections with an emphasis on Judaica.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DOWNLOADABLES BELOW - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDownloadables\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/meet-me-at-the-well.jpg?8824429112643133821\" style=\"display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/meet-me-at-the-well-hires.zip?9351276500875390300\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eDownload the Cover\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DETAILS BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDetails\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardcover\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003eISBN: \u003cspan\u003e978-1-58089-374-9\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eE-book\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eISBN: \u003cspan\u003e978-1-60734-927-3\u003c\/span\u003e EPUB\u003cbr\u003e ISBN: \u003cspan\u003e978-1-60734-646-3\u003c\/span\u003e PDF\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAges: 10+\u003cbr\u003ePage count: 112\u003cbr\u003e7 \u003csup\u003e1\u003c\/sup\u003e\/\u003csub\u003e2\u003c\/sub\u003e x 10\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCorrelated to Common Core State Standards:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEnglish Language Arts-Literacy. Reading Literature. Grade 5. Standards 1-4, 10\u003cbr\u003eEnglish Language Arts-Literacy. Reading Literature. Grade 6. Standards 1-5, 10\u003c\/p\u003e\n[\/TABS]"}