The Miracle Seed

by Martin Lemelman

The thrilling true story of an ancient plant, wonderfully reborn in the modern era through the hard work of two female scientists.

Thousands of years ago, in a time of rebellion, the Jewish people fought against their Roman rulers. The brutal Emperor Titus ordered the destruction of everything precious to the towns, villages, even their beloved Judean date palm trees. Centuries passed. The Jewish people were scattered, and the Judean date palm faded into extinction. Then, in 1963, a team of archaeologists uncovered two-thousand-year-old date palm seeds at the ruined fortress of Masada. For another forty years the seeds waited—until 2004, when Israeli scientist Dr. Sarah Sallon had a big, courageous idea. What if those ancient seeds could bring the Judean date palm back to life? Dr. Sallon recruited her friend Dr. Elaine Solowey, and their amazing experiment began… Intertwining world history, the scientific process, and colorfully detailed artwork,  The Miracle Seed  follows the Judean date palm’s journey from tragic extinction to incredible rebirth. Captivating and hopeful, this graphic novel is an unforgettable look at perseverance and survival in the face of impossible odds. 
 

Genres: Graphic Novels, Science, Picture Books, Nonfiction, History, Childrens, Judaism

80 pages, Hardcover

Published March 28, 2023

Reviews

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was marvelous! It conveys the sense of wonder and awe about the whole event and provided web links to look up what happens next! The original impetus was the Judean date palm was reputed to cure many diseases including cancer. We don’t know about that yet, but bringing back an extinct plant from the dead is amazing enough! Well done illustrations combined with primary source materials made for a five star title!

[Chava · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a spectacular book on so many levels!
Graphic novel (great use of the page in terms of different panels and different fonts)
History
Science and Nature
Israel

Very highly recommended for all libraries.

[Josh Olds · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Miracle Seed is an incredible story. In 1963, archaeologist Yigael Yagin and his crew excavated Masada, where they found—among other things—a clay pot containing seeds of the extinct Judean date palm. The clay pot went on display. The seeds went in a drawer in university storage. Forty years later, in 2004, Sarah Sallon learns about the ancient health properties of the date palm. Was it myth or something more? The only way to know was to try breathe life into these ancient seeds. Working with Dr. Elaine Solowey and under the approval of the Israeli Antiquities Authority, Sallon decides to try. On January 25, 2005—Tu B’Shavat, the Jewish New Year of Trees—Dr. Solowey plants three Judean date palm seeds. One sprouts. In June 2020, for the first time ever, naturally-created Judean date palms flower, bringing the palm out of extinction.

Martin Lemelman tells the story in a graphic novel format, beginning 2,000 years ago when Masada fell and the Roman Empire crushed the Maccabees and ended Israelite independence. He moves forward to the excavation of Masada, then finally to Sallon and Solowey’s effort to revive what had been a culturally important plant for Israel. It’s a gripping story told in an accessible and clear way. Lemelman includes photographs of the actual trees that have grown and talks about, in an afterword, of how learning this story made him want to use his skills as a graphic novelist to share it and make it known.

It's not just the story about two scientists sciencing a plant back to life, it’s a story of overcoming oppression. It’s women scientists seeing value in something nobody else value in. It’s the defeat of 2,000-year-old violence that sought to destroy everything of Jewish origin and identity. It’s the resilience of a Jewish cultural treasure that analogizes the resilience and revival of the Jewish people.

The Miracle Seed is mind-blowing. I can’t wrap my mind around how it’s real. And I don’t know, if I had read only a news article about it, that I would have understood the significance of it quite like I do having read this book. I googled “Judean date palm.” I read the Wikipedia article. I read a couple of news articles and press releases. They just don’t capture how history is literally brought to life. They tell the facts, but Martin Lemelman and The Miracle Seed tells the story with all of its thematic depth and glory. This is the perfect book for schools—Arbor Day read, anyone?—or for anyone with kids interested in archaeology, science, or plants.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Children's graphic novel nonfiction. Once upon a time, the deserts of Israel were plentiful with Judean date palms. But over time, the tree went extinct. Which is a shame not just for the loss of biodiversity but because it was purported to have healing powers. On an archaeological dig in 1963, a jar of date seeds was discovered. They were packed away until 2005, when Dr. sarah Sallon got permission to plant three of them. One of the seeds sprouted and was named Methusaleh. Other ancient seeds were found, and under the care of Dr. Elaine Solowey, several flourished. In 2020, the date palms cross pollinated, the female set fruit, and the ancient seed had officially produced new seeds. This story is truly miraculous as well as fascinating. The first chaper focuses on the ancient history that led to the date seeds being buried in rubble. Then the focus on getting the seeds planted, and then getting a female plant to cross-pollinate with Methusaleh. Back matter includes author's note, timeline, map of Israel showing where seeds were found, and photographs of the trees and the dates.

[Nohra Bernal · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a captivating story! Having planted seeds from distant lands, including exotic varieties and date palms, I can sense the thrill and anticipation Dr. Sallon experienced when she took those seeds, dormant in a drawer for 40 years, and gently woke them up to life. What an honor to nurture such time-traveling treasures! Thanks to the skilled and caring hands of Dr. Sallon and Dr. Solowey, these seeds—and others that followed—blossomed into thriving trees. The narrative unfolds at a gentle, engaging pace, enriched with stunning illustrations. I'm grateful for the archaelogists' hard work (even though they left those seeds forgotten in a drawer for too long!), for the female scientists' curiosity and perseverance, and for the author-illustrator for gifting the story to us.
I won't be content with the book, though. I can't wait to travel and visit Methuselah, Hannah, and the whole Date family at the Arava Institute in the Negev Desert, and taste the wonder of Israel's Miracle Seeds and fruits!!

[Nickie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not going to lie. I did not expect to like this book. History and Science are definitely not my thing. The artwork looked very Vacation Bible School. I was not looking forward to reading this one. Boy, was I wrong!

The Miracle Seed follows the real life journey of a handful of Judean Date Palm Tree seeds that somehow survived despite the complete extinction of the trees themselves. Oh, and 20 centuries in a jar in the middle of the rubble of a major historical site. Archeologists discovered the seeds in the 1960s and what follows is an absolute feat of science! I did not know anything about this story: the history, the seeds, or what followed. While I still did not love the illustration style, that's more a personal preference than an actual problem with the book. It was well thought out and executed to create a solid overview of the story of the miracle seed, perfect for middle school or early high school aged children.

[David]

I am reviewing this because my 5 year old, much to my surprise, was totally fascinated by this story about the successful resurrection of the Judean Date Palm by two Israeli Scientists. My kid gets very engaged when there is a little bit of action and adventure so the story at the beginning of the book about the siege of Masada by the ancient Romans captured him and then he stayed engaged for the entire story of how the Judean Date Palm seeds, found at Masada by archeologists, were sprouted and grown. The vast majority of the graphic novel style book is about the process of planting and growing enough Judean Date Palm trees to eventually make Judean Dates (as described here). I was very grateful to be introduced to this inspiring story about restoring an extinct and fascinating plant related to my own Jewish heritage.

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Miracles do not, in fact, break the laws of nature. ~ C.S. Lewis

The Judean date palm became a symbol of Judah during the reign of King Solomon in 957 BCE.
The siege of Masada was the end of Judah during the Roman empire in 734-74 CE.
Over the centuries, the Judean date palm becomes extinct. Until. . .
And excavation of Masada in the 1960's unearths a jar of date palm seeds. Still. . .
It is forty years before anyone tries to grow a date palm tree from the seeds.
What is amazing is that not one, but two (a male and a female) were used to produce a date harvest after 15 years.
This graphic novel tells the story in three parts: Rebellion, Hope, and Rebirth. An amazing STEAM story!

[Maya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book and would be happy to read others like it. What a beautiful story of resilience, based in science and the Land of Israel. Although I am well familiar with the story, it was a pleasure to read it again, especially with emphasis on the two women scientists responsible for the trees' regeneration: Dr. Sarah Sallon and Dr. Elaine Solowey.

My only feedback is that the color saturation of this book, which is probably lovely when you are holding the book in your hand, isn't strong enough as an ebook. I would recommend that the palette is brightened and darkened for electronic distribution so that readers can fully enjoy this important herstory.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A date palm seed: it doesn’t sound like much until you realize that the seed in question was more than 2,000 years old. In Martin Lemelman’s excellent “The Miracle Seed” (Eerdmans Books for Young Readers), readers follow the true story of how ancient Judean date palm seeds were discovered in Israel and the way scientists – for the first time ever – brought a plant back from extinction.
See the rest of my review at https://www.thereportergroup.org/past...

[Jena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the presentation of this story, not only because I love history and found the subject matter fascinating, but also because the author made the scientific and historical aspects approachable to younger readers. How DOES one bring back a plant that has been extinct for hundreds of years? This is a story that shouldn't be missed, and I'm curious to see what future developments might occur with these trees!

[Kevin McCloskey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great true tale, blending the sciences and humanities, expertly rendered. I thought it ended abruptly, then I found in my haste to reach the end of the story I had skipped two pages. I particularly like the afterward where the author explained his personal research.
Full disclosure: I worked teaching illustration at Kutztown University of PA alongside Martin Lemelman.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This informative graphic novel tells the story of two Israeli scientists and their quest to bring back the extinct Judean Date Palm from 2,000 year-old seeds! Dr. Sarah Sallon was interested in the possible health benefits provided by the dates and she asked Dr. Elaine Solowey to help bring the seeds to life.

[Xanthe · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent account of both the history and the science of the efforts to revive a species of date tree in Israel that was long thought to be extinct. The elements of Jewish history and present-day science are both portrayed with just enough detail to make this 'miracle' both poignant and fascinating.

[Ellon · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars (I really liked it)

This was fascinating! I really enjoyed reading about the seed and how they brought the Judean Date Palm Tree back to life after so many years!

I wasn't a big fan of the introduction. I get why it was necessary to understand why the tree went extinct but I still just didn't love it.

[Karin Fisher-Golton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an outstanding book about a fascinating topic--literally bringing an extinct plant back to life! The graphic novel type format is very effective for conveying both history and science in an engaging, easy-to-understand way.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Throughout history humans have destroyed other cultures. I am not surprised that Judean Date Palm Trees were destroyed, but I am happy to know that something has survived. The hope and the work that has lived to bring back these trees is incredible. I will share this with many readers.

[Stella · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was shelved in the children’s nonfiction graphic novels section of our public library. It is an interesting mix of history and science from a Jewish perspective. The illustrations remind me of children’s bible stories I saw at Sunday school as a child.

[Crissi Brandhuber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chef’s kiss! A graphic novel that is nonfiction and tells the story of how a few seeds were found and brought back to life. Two female scientists who refused to give up, and a bonus story at the end about the author/illustrator’s behind the scenes work.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

Copy provided by the publisher

Nonfiction in graphic novel form. Interesting look at the efforts to bring back the date palm after it was wiped out.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome Graphic Novel. Reads very easily but very informative. It's amazing how science works and the author really brought it all together. A+++++++

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story!

[Tingting · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing, empowering and inspiring story! One of the best picture books.

[judy F. Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story and pictures for any age

[Jessica Dudenhofer Beery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting history and biology lesson

[Julie Ditton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This fantastic graphic novel combines history and science to tell the story of an extinct plant species brought back to life. The author tells the Ancient history in a strait forward manner and illustrates the tale in muted earth tones and pastels with realistic detail, much like an ancient painting. The modern archeology and science story is told in a clear, concise way that makes the science easy to understand. The illustrations for these passages are in vivid colors and simple lines in a style constant with modern picture books.

The Judean Date palm was once widespread and touted for medicinal properties. When the Roman emperor tried to destroy the Jewish people, he also destroyed their prized palm groves. This book starts with that ancient history, and recounts the discovery of ancient dormant seeds by archeologists at Masada. He then recounts how years later Doctor Sarah Sallon, a natural healing researcher, approached agricultural scientist Dr. Elaine Solowey about the prospect of reviving this extinct species. This was something that had never been accomplished before, thus it was a true miracle seed.