Cousins Halima and Atiyah are close companions who share a deep love and affinity for the desert where they live with the Beni Khalid, their Beduin tribe. Under pressure from their uncle, a scholar, Atiyah leaves the "great sand sea" to study in the city of Fez. His loneliness among many in the crowded city is matched by Halima's isolation of a different kind when she is separated from the Beni Khalid during a violent sand storm and is taken in by an enemy tribe. Readers of Temple's book The Ramsay Scallop (Orchard, 1994) will recognize Etienne, a young man whom Atiyah eventually forms a friendship with in Fez. Frances Temple's swift-paced story is set in the year 680 of the Muslim calendar (1302 by the Christian calendar) and gives readers a powerful sense of another place and time, and a rich appreciation for people of another culture. It is a small, tightly woven tapestry of life almost 700 years ago in the desert of the north Africa. At its center is a story of love and loyalty to place that is timeless. Honor Book, 1996 CCBC Newbery Award Discussion (Ages 11-14)

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 what she can to resist, but she has no choice. In three moons' time she will become the youngest wife of the cruel and greedy Raisulu -- unless Atiyah can find her. But where in the vast sea of desert can he begin his search for his beloved?The last novel from award-winning author Frances Temple, this companion to The Ramsay Scallop is a romantic tale of intrigue, adventure, and true love, set against the backdrop of medieval Arabia.

‘Temple’s evocation of the Beduin—a grand, generous nation of poets and storytellers shaped by their religion and their hostile, sometimes beautiful, environment—is easily as vivid as the
storyline. . . . This book glitters with the intelligence and skill of a gifted storyteller, and will sweep readers along on an exotic, satisfying adventure.’ —Pointer/Kirkus Reviews

An American Bookseller Association Pick of the Lists, 1996
A Book Links Editors' Choice of 1996The last novel from award-winning author Frances Temple, this companion to The Ramsay Scallop is a romantic tale of intrigue, adventure, and true love, set against the backdrop of medieval Arabia.

‘Temple’s evocation of the Beduin—a grand, generous nation of poets and storytellers shaped by their religion and their hostile, sometimes beautiful, environment—is easily as vivid as the
storyline. . . . This book glitters with the intelligence and skill of a gifted storyteller, and will sweep readers along on an exotic, satisfying adventure.’ —Pointer/Kirkus Reviews

An American Bookseller Association Pick of the Lists, 1996
A Book Links Editors' Choice of 1996