"In the year 1095, the world of German teen Anna upends: her mentally slow youngest brother disappears, possibly at the hands of her hard-hearted stepmother; mounting enthusiasm for a Holy War ensnares a favorite cousin; and, at Anna"s insistence, her father takes in orphaned Leah, a Jew whose silver kiddush cup is all that remains of her massacred family. Leeds" patient story development convincingly informs her protagonist"s choices, unpopular in a time and place that cast Jews as "devil"s people", while meticulous details capture the seasonal rhythms of daily life - from winter"s cabin fever to the brutal, disgusting process of preparing live eels for Lenten supper. Some readers may long for a more narrowly focused plot for this first novel, but YAs who gravitate to historical fiction will appreciate the author"s research, obvious in the rich storytelling as well as in the thoughtful end matter. The tender friendship that develops between Anna and Leah will also speak to teens,...