By Tommy Tenney and Mark Andrew Olsen
Bethany House
Hardcover

And who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? -- Mordecai, Esther 4:14

Soldiers murder young Hadassah’s parents in the middle of the night. She herself barely escapes her burning home. Her older cousin adopts her and raises her in the ways of the Torah. He devotes his life to protecting her from those in the government who hate the Jews.

Hadassah: The Girl Who Became Queen Esther Excerpt “I must admit I am not at my best this evening. The rigors of the court and the looming threat of war with Greece -- but I’m sure you don’t want to hear about all that.” Xerxes shook his head. “Oh, but I do,” Hadassah exclaimed. “I have been learning about Persia, about you--” She stumbled to a pause, searching his face for his reaction. When she could find no indication that he was upset, she went on, “I have asked Hegai, the chamberlain, to tell me about your personality, what you like and dislike, about your family heritage--everything that has gone into making you who you are.” © Tommy Tenney and Mark Andrew Olsen Published with permission from Bethany House

Years later in the market Hadassah sees a group of men like those who murdered her parents beat a Jewish merchant. They wear on their uniforms the same twisted cross that they wore that night.

This is not Nazi Germany, however. It is 5th century BC Persia and an evil plot forms against the Jewish citizens of the ancient empire.

Shortly thereafter Hadassah is forcefully taken to the palace. King Xerxes needs a new bride and beautiful candidates are being gathered. The search for a new queen forever alters Hadassah’s life. She will never leave the palace. She will either be chosen as queen or relegated to the harem. Gone are her hopes for the future.

Her adoptive father, Mordecai, counsels her to use her time wisely, to develop not only her physical beauty, but her mind and soul as well. She concentrates on becoming the most desirable woman she can be and is the only candidate who considers the king’s desires before her own.

But as Hadassah wins Xerxes’ heart, and becomes Queen Esther of Persia, the plot against her people comes to fruition. Will she be able to stop the massacre that lies just beyond the horizon?

Bookworm's Briefing
Hadassah: The Girl Who Became Queen Esther is adapted for children from the novel Hadassah. Although the text reads like a chapter book for younger children, the sexual content of the story is definitely geared more for adolescents.

The dialogue is stiff and unbelievable. The narrative structure continually interrupts the flow of the story. Despite a couple of moving passages, the book disappoints at every opportunity.