The Beduins' Gazelle

by Frances Temple

Book Overview

When she and he were only babies, they were pledged in marriage. Now Atiyah has been sent away -- a political pawn in a war between the Beduin tribes in the year 1302. He vows to return to her as soon as he can.

But while Atiyah is studying at the great university in Fez, Halima is lost in a sandstorm. Rescued by an enemy tribe, she is told that she must marry their powerful sheikh and live in his harem -- never to see her people again. Halima does...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0064406695
• ISBN13: 9780064406697
• Release Date: January 1998
• Publisher: Harperteen
• Length: 150 Pages
• Weight: 0.27 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.3" x 7.6"
• Age Range: 13 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 8 and higher

Customer Reviews

wonderful and enchanting

the book was beautifully written and shows exaclty how even bad people can have goodness in them to do the rigght thing. the book is a bout Halima(a girl slim and strong as th e date palm, fleet-foted as a gazelle) and the boy she is in love with, Atiyah(a boy of promise and hope, whose name means Gift of God). Atiyah has been sent away as a political pawn to study in Fez. As Halimas tribe moves to a new camp she is lost in a sandstorm and captured by an emeny tribe. The sheikh wishes to marry her in 3 moons time, the only way for that not to happen is if Atiyah comes to resue her.

Poetry in the Desert

The Bedouin's Gazelle - Even the name tastes of poetry. This lyrical story of young Halima and Atiyah is a magnificent word-picture of desert living in 1302 AD (680 of the Hegira according to the Muslim culture) - a place where "wool gathering" indicates molting camels as well as daydreaming, and nomadic tribes follow the rain. Temple's metaphors and expressions consistently reflect the environs; they're exotic imagery that the reader pauses to savor. I have delighted in reading and rereading this book, "dancing in the desert among flowers."

Enjoyable story of another time and culture

The love story between Atiyah and Halima is told in beautiful language and with much suspense. When Atiyah is forced to go study in Fez, then Halima is lost in the desert, you wonder "will they ever see each other again?" I liked this book more than the Ramsay Scallop.