Luis de Torres Sails to Freedom

Luis De Torres is a Spanish Jew who like many Spanish Jews in 1492 is forced to make the painful decision: convert to Christianity or leave Spain. Luis converts so he can be with his beloved family. But in his heart, he remains Jewish. He joins his family to be able to light the candles and celebrate......more

For centuries, children have learned how Columbus set sail from Spain in 1492 on a trip which ultimately led to the discovery of America. What is unique in the tale of Luis de Torres is the imaginative portrayal of grave danger faced by the Jews of Spain that same year, when they were forced to choo......more

Tami Lehman-Wilzig’s new historical fiction picture book LUIS DE TORRES SAILS TO FREEDOM, beautifully illustrated by Oliver Averill, reimagines the story of De Torres, a converso (a secret Jew who is forced to convert to Christianity during the Spanish Inquisition), who set sail with Christopher Col......more

When I read "Luis de Torres Sails to Freedom" to my grandchildren I felt it was the perfect example of text and illustrations joining together to make an exciting children's story come alive. I’ve never read a Jewish children’s book on the Spanish Inquisition. I had no idea that the Jews were expell......more

This beautifully illustrated picture book brings to light an important historical event in the history of the Jewish people. Namely, the Spanish expulsion of the Jews in 1492 by a decree from King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. The story revolves around Luis de Torres, an interpreter fluent in Hebrew......more