The Key from Spain

Flory Jagoda and Her Music

  • Interest Level: Preschool - Grade 2
  • Reading Level: Grade 1

A Sydney Taylor Honor Book and CBC Best Children’s Book of the Year

When Flory’s ancestors are forced to leave Spain during the time of the Spanish Inquisition, they take with them their two most precious possessions—the key to their old house and the Ladino language.

When Flory flees Europe during World War II to begin a new life in the United States, she carries Ladino with her, along with her other precious possessions—her harmoniku and her music. But what of the key?

Discover the story of Ladino singer Flory Jagoda.

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Interest Level Preschool - Grade 2
Reading Level Grade 1
Genre Picture Books, Social Studies
Category Biography, Diverse Books: Race & Ethnicity, Diversity, SEL: A Self-Awareness, SEL: B Self-Management, SEL: C Social Awareness, SEL: D Relationship Skills, SEL: E Responsible Decision-Making, Social Emotional Learning
Copyright 2019
Publisher Lerner Publishing Group
Imprint Kar-Ben Publishing ®
Language English
Number of Pages 32
Publication Date 2019-08-01
Text Type Fiction
BISACS JUV033020, JUV031040, JUV009130
Dewey [E]
Graphics Full-color illustrations
Dimensions 9.25 x 11
Lexile 840
ATOS Reading Level 4.6
Accelerated Reader® Quiz 503380
Accelerated Reader® Points 0.5
Features Author/Illustrator biography, Awards, Page Plus™, Reviewed, Starred Reviews, Teaching Guides, and eSource

Author: Debbie Levy

Debbie Levy is the author of more than 25 books of nonfiction, fiction, and poetry for young people, including New York Times best-selling I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark, winner of the Sydney Taylor Book Award and National Jewish Book Award. Debbie is a former lawyer and newspaper editor, and lives in Maryland with her husband.

Illustrator: Sonja Wimmer

Sonja Wimmer loves painting pictures and telling stories. After studying and working some years as a designer in her hometown Munich and Brussels, she decided to pack her suitcase and move to Barcelona to study Illustration at the “Llotja” Arts and Crafts School. Since then she lives between brushes and all kinds of wonderful tales, working as freelance illustrator for publishing houses and other clients around the world.

Lerner eSource™ offers free digital teaching and learning resources, including Common Core State Standards (CCSS) teaching guides. These guides, created by classroom teachers, offer short lessons and writing exercises that give students specific instruction and practice using Common Core skills and strategies. Lerner eSource also provides additional resources including online activities, downloadable/printable graphic organizers, and additional educational materials that would also support Common Core instruction. Download, share, pin, print, and save as many of these free resources as you like!

The Key from Spain

A Sydney Taylor Honor Book and CBC Best Children’s Book of the Year When Flory’s ancestors are forced to leave Spain during the time of the Spanish Inquisition, they take with them their two most precious possessions—the key… View available downloads →

Awards

  • Sydney Taylor Honor Book, Runner-up, 2020
  • Children's Book Committee at Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year, Winner, 2020

Reviews

Jewish Book Council

The Key from Spain is high­ly rec­om­mend­ed both for chil­dren and adults inter­est­ed in learn­ing about Sephardic cul­ture and history.”―Jewish Book Council

School Library Journal

“This work is a must-purchase for library collections.”—starred, School Library Journal

Booklist

“. . . this is a worthy (though fictionalized) homage to a language and its fervent promoter.”—Booklist

Kirkus Reviews

“Based on a true story, an inspirational reclamation of history.”―Kirkus Reviews