Gilgul is a compelling and radical take on the Chanukah story. The 15-year-old hero David must be smart, brave, strong and compassionate to stay alive and save his family and his people. He must figure out who to trust, and the fact that it is not always clear who the good guys and bad guys are adds tension and meaning to the novel. Even with the help of his equally heroic sister Leya, some unexpected courageous allies and a little magic, David has his work cut out for him. Gilgul will leave readers thinking anew about Chanukah, the re-dedication of the Second Temple, the Maccabees, the miracle of oil, and more. -CYNTHIA RAMSAY, Owner/Publisher, Jewish Independent Newspaper.