Women -- though seldom educated -- played key roles in the development of these three great faiths, but their lives and contributions are rarely honored. The men who recorded and copied the sacred Scriptures and other important texts included very little about how women passed on their experiences of God through storytelling, song, and ritual. With the help of imagination and careful research, Daughters of the Desert introduces us to the lives and loves, personalities and dreams of women who are only hinted at in the Scriptures, but whose faith and strength were vital to the growth of their beliefs. Taking as starting points passages from the Hebrew and Christian Bibles and the Qur'an, this diverse collection of short stories allows us to hear the voices of our common female ancestors loud and clear. Ideal for anyone who has ever wondered what life was like for our spiritual foremothers, these stories bring life and breath to the past. What the Scriptures have often only outlined in passing is here fully imagined -- from thrilling events that decided the fate of thousands to everyday moments of friendship and love. Book jacket. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

Gr. 7-10. Women, though mentioned in the holy books of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, have never really gotten their due. This book tries to rectify that situation in 18 stories. Using sacred writings as their basis, the five women authors have reshaped the stories of such individuals as Sarah, Mary Magdalene, Eve, and Khadiji, the wife of Mohammed. The authors also give voice to some unnamed women--for example, the servant girl who confronts Peter for denying Jesus. The stories are short and simply told, but they are intriguing and invite discussion. Two of the most interesting concern the dismissal of Hagar and Ishmael from Abraham's tents: one is told from Sarah's viewpoint; the other from Hagar's. The story endnotes give the basis for each telling. An interesting way of showing how three religions spring from the same sandy landscape. IleneCooper. From: Syndetics Solutions, Inc. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

Claire Rudolf Murphy is the award-winning author of several books for children and young adults, including Children of the Gold Rush (winner of the 2000 Willa Cather Award), Gold Rush Women, and Free Radical Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

Timeline of the Stories	viii
Introduction	ix
Jewish Stories
A Thousand Wrinkles: A story of Sarah	3
River Journey: A story of Shiphrah	12
A Dance in the Desert: A story of Miriam	21
The Pool of Siloam: A story of Huldah	30
O Come My Beloved: A story of Shoshana	42
Return to Hadassah: A story of Esther	51
Christian Stories
Woman to Woman: A story of Mary of Nazareth	67
Crumbs from the Table: A story of Eleni	77
Will I Drink of His Cup? A story of Salome	84
Servant to Truth: A story of Binah	92
Love Casts Out Fear: A story of Mary Magdalene	101
Weaving a Church: A story of Lydia	108
Muslim Stories
The Night Wind: A story of Eve	119
The Waters of Zamzam: A story of Hagar	126
A Faith Blossoms: A story of Khadija	134
Prayers in the Darkness: A story of Fatima	143
The Merchant Boys' Prank: A story of Zarah	153
The Dogs of al-Haw'ab: A story of Aisha	159
Further Reading	169
Authors' Note	173
Acknowledgments	176
About SkyLight Paths	179

Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.