The Capture of Rafael Ortega
About this audiobook
One boy’s journey. One family’s secret. One ship that changes everything.
In 1585 Spain, fourteen-year-old Rafael Ortega dreams of sailing the seas, but when his family’s secret Jewish heritage is discovered by the Spanish Inquisition, Rafael is torn from his home and thrown aboard a galleon bound for the New World. Trapped in a world of storms, pirates, and betrayal, Rafael must navigate more than just the treacherous seas—he must find a way to survive and reunite with his family before it’s too late.
As the Inquisitors tighten their grip on his loved ones and danger looms at every turn, Rafael learns that bravery isn’t just about sword fights and sea battles—it’s about holding on to who you are when the world demands you hide.
The Capture of Rafael Ortega is a gripping historical adventure for readers 10 and up, packed with high-seas action, emotional depth, and a powerful message about identity, faith, and courage.
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About the author
Joel was a staff writer for CTB McGraw-Hill. Several of his nonfiction articles as well as his stories appeared in magazines such as BLACK BELT, INSIDE KUNG FU, and CRICKET.
Joel's book, THE PIGEON MAN, (Pants On Fire Press, 2015), was a finalist for the NEXT GENERATION INDIE BOOK AWARD. It was added to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Library and is part of the book collection at Yad Vashem Memorial in Jerusalem
A HANUKKAH WITH MAZEL (Lerner Books Group, Kar-Ben Publishing, 2016), received outstanding reviews in Kirkus, Booklist, and Publisher's Weekly. It was featured on the cover of THE HORNBOOK (Dec, 2016).
He currently lives in Florida with his wife, his son, two birds, and a tortoise.
