Books of Jewish Interest Agnon's Alef Bet: Poems S.Y. Agnon Illustrated by Arieh Zeldich Translated by Robert Friend   Agnon's poems are apparently difficult to understand in his native Hebrew. Puns, plays on words' meanings and significance, are wrapped up in wonderful, meaningful poetry. To attempt a translation of them into English, and for children, is a monumental task. But Robert Friend has worked wonders with this beautiful volume. The illustrations are exquisite, from the cover, where animals are shown reading large volumes (of poetry?) to Joseph's brothers, Abel with a lamb, Noah and a dove, an Ape trying to learn, to modern children playing under a palm tree. The alphabet in question is the Hebrew aleph-bet, and Agnon used the letters to suggest either the subjects of the poems (Gimel sounds like Camel) or as an alliterative device (Miriam, Moses, mayim (water, in Hebrew, which unfortunately doesn't fit in English.) A page of "translator's notes" clarifies things a little. The original Hebrew is included after the notes. 1999, Jewish Publication Society, All ages, $19.95. Reviewer: Judy Silverman Ariel Sharon Norman H. Finkelstein    Part of the "A&E Biography" series, this book tells the life of Ariel Sharon, from his beginnings as Arik Scheinerman on a poor farm in Palestine. His Zionist parents settled in the Yishuv, the Jewish settlement, but felt themselves intellectually superior to their neighbors, making themselves unpopular. Even from birth, Sharon's life seemed destined to be controversial. At 14, Sharon joined the Haganah, the local Jewish defense force. By 20, he was a platoon leader who witnessed the death of many of his men at the hands of the Arab Palestinians, solidifying his zealous pro-Israeli stance. Often at odds with his superiors, Sharon proved a brave and clever soldier, if a little hotheaded. While he alienated people with his gruffness and lack of diplomacy, Sharon eventually entered politics as a Likud member of the Knesset in 1973. His appointment as Agriculture Minister in 1977 gave him control of the Committee on Settlements, an area of continuing interest and struggle for him. He pursued expansion of settlements in the West Bank and Gaza for many years but in 2004 announced his decision to withdraw settlers and soldiers from Gaza. While combative in nature, Sharon has always claimed that his supreme goal is peace. The biography tries to be balanced, mentioning the plight of the Arab Palestinians, but focusing mainly on the Middle East from the Israeli perspective. It is thorough, if a little dense, and a useful tool for students. 2005, Lerner Publications/Lerner Publishing Group, $27.93. Ages 11 up. Reviewer: Kathryn Erskine (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0822523701 Blood Secret Kathryn Lasky    Since her mother walked off and disappeared, Jerry has been shuttled around to various charities. It took authorities years to find a relative because Jerry refuses to speak a word to anyone. Now ready for high school, Jerry has been sent to live with her great-great-aunt Constanza. In Constanza's house, Jerry finds a trunk filled with mementos. Each memento Jerry touches fills her with memories from another time. Starting with Miriam, a Jewish girl living in Seville, Spain in 1391, Jerry learns first-hand the horrors Jews suffered at the hands of the Spanish Inquisition in Spain and America from the fourteenth to the sixteenth centuries. Jerry becomes aware that certain practices Constanza follows, such as lighting candles on Friday nights and not mixing red meat and milk, come from the Jewish religion. With each item she finds in the trunk, Jerry learns the bitter truth behind her family's apparently staunch Catholic roots. Throughout the book, Jerry finds the courage to began speaking again and starts to lead herself and her aunt back to their Jewish heritage. Jerry's self-imposed muteness echoes the stifling of her ancestors' religion throughout time. Lasky has created a masterful work that combines historical fiction with modern problems. Along with Jerry, the reader discovers a history that is rarely studied and even rarely used in fiction. A family tree helps the reader follow the family through the generations. 2004, HarperCollins, $16.89. Ages 10 up. Reviewer: Amie Rose Rotruck (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0-06-000066-X ISBN: 0-06-000065-1 Broken Song Kathryn Lasky    Lasky's tale--which centers on Reuven, a character previously featured in her book The Night Journey--packs power, understanding, and emotion. A page-turning, informative story brings readers right into Reuven's life as he travels from a safe home environment to a life of danger, intrigue, and escape in Russia during the late 1800s. In the unique plot, Reuven, an accomplished teenage violin player, becomes the sole caretaker of his toddler sister. He battles insurmountable odds in attempts to save her from the horrors befalling Jews in that time period. Once she is safe and headed to America, Reuven picks up his own "sword" and fights the injustices. In time, he becomes a spy and explosives expert. Only when he is reunited with a childhood friend who is also working for The Cause, does he begin to see a bigger picture of life. His own journey then brings him to America where he is reunited with his sister and his love of music. A tear-producing ending lets readers breathe a sigh of relief while maintaining the knowledge of the role oppression served in the past. No school library should be without this award-winning book. It is a wonderful aid for discussing history. Lasky is a master at putting the reader into the character's shoes in order to see the story from their point of view. 2005, Viking/Penguin, $15.99. Ages 10 up. Reviewer: Nancy Garhan Attebury (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0-670-05931-5 The Butterfly Patricia Polacco    Drawing from the experience of family members, Polacco takes us back to a Nazi-occupied French village during World War II. What young Monique first thinks is a ghost in her room turns out to be a young Jewish girl, Severine, being hidden with her parents in Monique's basement. The girls steal moments of pleasure together. But fear of discovery forces the family to move on. The butterfly becomes a symbol of freedom. Polacco's lengthy but very readable text brings alive the joy of the girls' time together and the terror of discovery by the Nazis. The village and some of its occupants are introduced in the several pages before the text begins, so that we already feel the anxiety produced by the Nazis as well as the humanity of Monique's mother. Character is created in the sequence of portraits as events evoke emotions of horror, sorrow, friendly pleasures and familial security. The scenes are detailed where important, but otherwise exploit the potentials of color to help tell the story most effectively. A note from the author fills in the historical background. 2000, Philomel Books/Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers, Ages 6 to 10, $16.99. Reviewer: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz ISBN: 0-399-23170-6 The Cross by Day, the Mezuzzah by Night Deborah Spector Siegel    Everything Isabel has known to be true changes on her thirteenth birthday. On that day, she learns she has a Hebrew name and a second identity as a secret Marrano Jew. She lives in Seville, Spain in 1492. Her father is the royal tax collector for the city. However, no position is above the scrutiny of the Holy Office of the Inquisition. Isabel's father arranges an elaborate escape plan for the family. She must prepare to leave her privileged life to join the masses of impoverished Jews departing in a forced expulsion. At first, Isabel is overcome with self-pity. How can she leave her best friend, Teresa? How can she sneak out of her Spanish homeland like a common criminal? An auto-de-fe´, a public burning of Marrano Jews, galvanizes Isabel's commitment to her Jewish heritage. When her beloved father is betrayed, the fear of leaving home is replaced by the danger of staying. Isabel must discover the courage to escape with her mother and baby brother. Abhorred by both the Christian and the Jewish community, Marrano Jews found themselves in an impossible snare. This dramatic story provides a piercing picture of Spanish-Jewish history. 1999, Jewish Publication Society, Ages 10 up, $14.95. Reviewer: Jackie Hechtkopf ISBN: 0-8276-0597-8 Darkness over Denmark: The Danish Resistance and the Rescue of the Jews Ellen Levine    Through Lois Lowry's novel Number the Stars (Houghton Mifflin, 1989), many students are familiar with the Danish rescue. Those readers and others will find Levine's nonfiction treatment of this subject a welcome opportunity to learn more about the Scandinavian country which refused to cooperate with the Nazis. Why did the Danes protect their Jews when other European countries did not? Levine portrays an independent, democratic people outraged by Nazi domination. Readers learn about underground newspapers, factory bombings, and weapons collection by resistance fighters. The Danish rescue of the Jews is shown as part of a larger resistance movement. The Danes saw actions to deport Jews as attacks on their citizenry. Unlike other Europeans, the Danes maintained their Jewish neighbors' homes and cheered when they finally arrived back home. Personal stories of resistance fighters, rescued Jews, and rescuers are interspersed throughout the narrative, providing an exciting blend of memoir and historical fact. Details, such as Copenhagen's financial support of Jews living in Sweden and the support of Danish Jews in Theresienstadt Concentration Camp, are also provided. Both students and adults will find this volume excellent reading. A chronology and bibliography are included. This book is an invaluable resource for a Holocaust curriculum. 2000, Holiday House, Ages 10 up, $18.95. Reviewer: Jackie Hechtkopf ISBN: 0-8234-1447-7 The Devil's Arithmetic Jane Yolen    Originally published in 1988, this award-winning novel about the Holocaust continues to have significance and appeal. Twelve-year-old Hannah is weary of observing Jewish holidays because she's "tired of remembering." During the Passover Seder, she finds herself mysteriously transported back to Nazi-occupied Poland in 1942. Her memories of 1990's America gradually fade, replaced by the horrors of her life in a concentration camp. Yolen depicts the harsh realities honestly, but compassionately, in this unforgettable story about survival, friendship, and remembering. Today's readers, increasingly dealing with issues of violence and prejudice, will especially value the learned skills Hannah utilizes to live with day to day hardship. This story does more than just remember the victims; it honors the survivors, and reminds that even in the midst of unspeakable sorrow, "the swallows still sing around the smokestacks." 1990 (orig. 1988), Penguin/Puffin Books, Ages 10 up, $13.00 and $4.99. Reviewer: Betty Hicks Dreamer from the Village: The Story of Marc Chagall Michelle Markel Illustrations by Emily Lisker    Among twentieth-century painters, certainly one of the most accessible for children is the imaginative Russian artist, Marc Chagall. Chagall's colorful paintings have a fairy-tale quality--full of magic and narrative qualities--that appeals to children. This simple biography describes in vivid detail the Russian Jewish village life that inspired Chagall's paintings. Emily Lisker's brilliantly-colored illustrations actually convey a feeling of Chagall's work, without being in any way derivative or complex. A classic dreamer, Chagall would not be the best example to set before a classroom; his academic record was poor, to say the least. However, his determination and belief in his abilities, especially in the face of deep family and social opposition, carried him through very difficult times to ultimate success. This well-designed and charming book would be an excellent Hanukkah or birthday gift for an artistically-inclined youngster, and a valuable resource in any school library. An artist note and a brief glossary of Jewish words at the end is especially valuable for teaching purposes. 2005, Henry Holt, Ages 7 to 10, $16.95. Reviewer: Michele Tremaine ISBN: 978-0-8050-6373-8 ISBN: 0-8050-6373-0 Exodus Brian Wildsmith   For Passover and Easter, and great for all year round, this famous Bible tale is told in straightforward language that children can easily understand. There are thousands of details in the gorgeous, full-color, gold-bordered pages-fabulous pictures of Hebrew slaves building Egyptian pyramids, baby Moses in his basket, Moses and Aaron before Pharaoh, the ten plagues, the Red Sea splitting, pillars of flame and cloud, manna in the desert, Moses striking the rock for water, and God giving the Ten Commandments to the now-free people on their journey to the Promised Land. This is a superior book for children of all faiths. 1999, Eerdmans, Ages 4 to 10, $20.00. Reviewer: Judy Chernak A Family Treasury of Proverbs Illustrated with details from famous paintings   Popular bon mots excerpted from the Biblical books of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and the Song of Solomon and from Apocryphal books of Ecclesiasticus and the Wisdom of Solomon, this slim volume is richly illustrated with clips of artwork housed in some of the world's well-known museums. Among the best is "Open not thine heart to every man, lest he requite thee with a shrewd turn" (Ecclesiasticus 8:19) highlighted with Georges de la Tour's "The Cheat with the Ace of Diamonds" behind his back and a most suspicious matron eyeing his innocent face. Whistler's famous mother illustrates "The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness" (Proverbs l6:31); and "Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man" (Ecclesiastes 12:13) is accompanied (anachronistically) by Pieter Brueghel the Younger's "Saint John the Baptist Preaching." A nice gift for older children with a Biblical bent. 1998, Simon and Schuster, Ages 10 up, $16.00. Reviewer: Judy Chernak God Sent A Rainbow, And Other Bible Stories Retold by Yona Zeldis Paintings by Malcah Zeldis Fourteen familiar Bible stories are retold here, in rhythmic prose that complements the magnificent illustrations. Each story is only one or two pages long-just right for a bedtime story. The illustrations are almost primitive, with bright colors and strong shapes. Creation, Adam and Eve, Noah, Babel, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob's ladder, Jacob wrestling with the angel, Joseph the dreamer, Joseph and his brothers reunited, Pharoah's daughter, Moses and the burning bush, Crossing the Red Sea, Moses receives the Law; this book is really a mini-Torah. The illustrations get top billing here, as they should. This is a terrific book. 1997, Jewish Publication Society, All ages, $17.95. Reviewer: Judy Silverman The Hitler Youth: Marching Toward Madness Alexa Dvorson   Edgar Gielsdorf was an ordinary seven-year-old. He followed his father everywhere. He even followed him to Hitler's speeches. Edgar was intrigued by how intent the listeners were at these gatherings. He was so intrigued he eventually joined the Hitler Youth, an organization that had many exciting activities for kids-games, field trips, and the like. They were given lessons that led them to believe that Hitler, his party and policies was the only way Germans would find the good life they deserved. They pledged allegiance to him and his causes. Hitler Youth was just a pre-staging organization for future German soldiers-men that Hitler knew he would need in a war. Edgar recounts his misguided beliefs and the events that led him to finally realize the cult-like effect that the youth movement had on him. This type of material is often omitted when discussion of World War II occurs. It really is necessary because it helps to answer the questions about what the Germans did and why. Wonderfully told and touchingly concluded, there is a lesson here for all misguided youths.This book is part of the "Teen Witnesses to the Holocaust" series. 1999, Rosen, Ages 10 up, $17.95. Reviewer: Scott S. Floyd How Yussel Caught the Gefilte Fish: A Shabbos Story Charlotte Herman Illustrated by Katya Krenina   Papa always goes early on Friday mornings to the lake and catches the fish for the Sabbath gefilte fish balls that Yussel loves. When he is finally old enough to go along with Papa, as Papa went with his father, he's lucky enough to catch three beautiful fish-but no gefiltes! Neither the fat, golden carp (which reminds Papa of Aunt Goldie) nor the trout with brown spots (which seems to have cousin Hannah Rose's eager personality) nor the pike that almost got away (as stubborn as Uncle Harry!) is round as Yussel knows a gefilte would have to be. No matter: Mama "works her miracles" anyway, and Yussel learns about the special spice that really makes everything taste so wonderfully special for Shabbos. The warmth of the story is captured perfectly in Krenina's light-suffused pictures. The angle of her tilted faces is reminiscent of holy paintings from another era and gently prepares the reader to accept the mystical experience embedded in an eagerly anticipated Sabbath Day. 1999, Dutton, Ages 3 to 7, $16.99. Reviewer: Judy Chernak In My Enemy's House Carol Matas    When 15-year-old Marisa's family is killed by Nazis invading her Polish town, she relies on her blond hair and blue eyes to pretend to be a Gentile. Signing on as a Polish worker, she ships into Germany to work for the family of a high-ranking Nazi official. Masquerading as a Pole, she meets kindness and gentility, but also ignorant prejudice from the same family. Threaded through the book is Marisa's romantic attachment to her cousin by marriage, Shmuel, who she despairs of seeing again when they become separated. Her escape while translating for Polish arms workers in the heart of Berlin occurs during fierce Allied bombing, where she reunites with Shmuel. The League of German Maidens organization, the female version of the Hitler Youth is compellingly examined as are the brainwashed attitudes ordinary Nazis held toward Poles and Russians, as well as the Jews. Marisa's deep faith--her relationship with God--guides her to reject hatred of the Nazi family and to love every person. Matas gives the reader enthralling action, and interesting relationships, while firmly touching on issues of moral behavior. 1999, Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division/Simon Books for Young Readers, Ages 12 up, $16.00. Reviewer: Martha Shaw ISBN: 0-689-81354-6 In My Hands: Memories of a Holocaust Rescuer Irene Gut Opdyke with Jennifer Armstrong Irene was a nurse trainee when World War II broke out in her native Poland. The lovely teenager joined a group of partisans, but was eventually captured and raped by Russian soldiers. After a tortuous escape from the Russians, Irene ends up as an enslaved housekeeper for a high-placed German officer. Witnessing, firsthand, the atrocities being committed against Jews in an adjoining ghetto, the young woman manages to hide and protect twelve Jewish people in the basement of the officer's own home and smuggle out news of coming purges to the residents of the ghetto. She even sacrifices her own virtue to keep her charges alive. Irene' story goes beyond inspiration, beyond courage, almost beyond belief. Graphic, painful, and incredibly compelling, Irene Opdyke's book joins a growing body of rescuers' testimonies that prove that the actions of one good person can, indeed, mitigate ultimate evil. 1999, Knopf, Ages 14 up, $18.00. Reviewer: Lois Rubin Gross In the Promised Land: Lives of Jewish Americans Doreen Rappaport Illustrated by Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu    A Supreme Court justice, a famous movie producer, an astronaut, a scientist and ten more Jewish Americans are featured in this beautifully illustrated book. The author begins in the 1600s and travels through the centuries to contemporary Jewish American contributors. Each personality is accompanied by a beautiful watercolor portrait/portrayal and a one-page biography that reads like a short story. The author gives us a glimpse into each person's life and provides a context for their extraordinary work. This book informs young readers of the contributions of Jewish Americans to our country. The illustrations of the husband and wife team of Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu are lifelike and artistic. The book includes a bibliography and suggests additional resources. This is a great addition for libraries. 2005, HarperCollins Children's Books, $15.99. Ages 5 up. Reviewer: Gilda R. Daniels (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0-688-17150-8 ISBN: 0-06-059395-4 It's Challah Time! Latifa Berry Kropf Photos by Tod Cohen    What a delightful book for the wee set! It's Challah Time! Combines the very best in children's holiday books with its engaging text perfectly charming photographs of adorable toddlers as they prepare the special holiday bread at their nursery school. Their participation is total, mind and body engaged as they measure, stir, mix, knead, braid the dough, sprinkle the toppings, enjoy a book and a song while it bakes, and cover it with a beautiful challah cloth before making the blessings for the Sabbath. The final picture, labeled simply "Yum!" needs no further explanation. I love the joy inherent in this important Jewish custom. And I adore the realism of the photographer in allowing natural flaws to appear, such as the chipped nail polish on one little girl's chubby fingers. This is a book from which to learn and, more importantly, to inhale the joy of preparing for one's celebrations. A recipe for healthy Whole Wheat Honey Challah follows as well as the blessing for bread in both Hebrew and English. 2002, Kar-Ben, $10.95. Ages 1 to 5. Reviewer: Judy Chernak (Children's Literature). ISBN: 1580130364 Jerusalem Sky Mark Podwal Illustrations by Mark Podwal    This lovely book of poetry expresses through myth, symbol, and metaphor the desire for peace in a war-torn land. The brightly painted pictures show symbols of the three religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, which claim Jerusalem as an important place of worship. Stars of David, crosses, and crescents on top of towers reach into the sky. Each religion relates miracles in the sky which becomes a harmonizing medium. The text states that, "Perhaps possessing Jerusalem is like trying to own the sky." A triple rainbow above the skyline is a symbol of hope. The author is a physician who has art work in the Metropolitan Museum of Art and other museums. With the help of parents and teachers, young readers can learn, through poetry and art, respect and understanding for the religious expressions of others. 2005, A Doubleday Book for Young Readers/Random House Children's Books/Random House, Ages 7 to 9, $15.95. Reviewer: Carlee Hallman (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0-385-74689-X Jesse's Star Ellen Schwartz    Searching the attic for family records needed for a school project, Jesse finds an old Star of David on a gold chain. Fastening the chain around his neck, Jesse is suddenly transported to the Russian village of Braslav in the year 1890. Jesse becomes his great-great-grandfather Yossi, a fun-loving boy who happens to be a bit clumsy. Yossi owns a pair of stilts and is anxious to show off his agility. First, he knocks over his mother's wash basin with the stilts. Later, he accidentally knocks over the village sukkah, the booth erected to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Sukkot. However, when a chance comes to divert the Russian soldiers guarding the village, Yossi becomes a hero. He dresses up like the Russian witch, Baba Yaga, and becomes a terrifying tall figure on a dark night. This daring act enables the Jewish villagers to flee the persecution in Russia and ultimately find their way across the sea to Canada. This entertaining chapter book is fast-paced and humorous enough for even reluctant readers. The time travel element makes it too fanciful to be considered pure historical fiction, but it is pure fun. An author's note provides a short history of the Jewish people in Russia. 2000, Orca Book Publishers, Ages 8 to 11, $4.50. Reviewer: Jackie Hechtkopf ISBN: 1-55143-143-2 Jewish Festivals Throughout the Year Anita Ganeri    This is a beautifully designed book filled with excellent photographs to illustrate its lively text and many interesting sidebars. A new entry in the "A Year of Festivals" series, which already includes those for Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Muslim and Sikh religions, this volume provides an accurate accounting of ten major festivals within Judaism. This reviewer found the information well chosen and the customs nicely explained. There are also crafts, special prayers, ways to celebrate, food activities, and songs sprinkled throughout. The book concludes with a glossary and a "Festival Calendar" illustrating the lunar month cycle of the Jewish calendar. The ample photographs are quite beautiful and are particularly notable for their coverage of the customs, costumes and environment of the various branches of Judaism. One unfortunate error crept in: The Purim story is placed in Persia (modern Iraq), whereas it should read (modern Iran). Iraq is correctly identified on an earlier page as Babylon (modern Iraq), a powerful city that ruled the country of Mesopotamia. 2004 (orig. 2003), Smart Apple Media, $24.25. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer: Judy Chernak (Children's Literature). ISBN: 1583403736 Jewish Holidays All Year Round: A Family Treasury Ilene Cooper Illustrated by Elivia Savadier in association with the Jewish Museum, New York    An impressive reference work, this is a warm and welcoming resource for Jewish families and for educators who wish to share the Jewish culture with their young charges. Cooper explains the history behind holidays such as Simchat Torah, Shavuot, Tisha B'Av, Rosh Hashanah and that weekly holiday, the Sabbath. But she does more than offer just the facts; the author imbues each chapter with meaning and reverence. Cooper also provides special family activities for each holiday, enabling parents to create warm and meaningful traditions. Savadier's pen-and-ink illustrations are a colorful counterpoint to Cooper's storytelling; the book is also plentifully illustrated by exquisite works of art from The Jewish Museum in New York. Each chapter would make a good read-aloud before the holiday in question occurs, but older children may want to use it as a reference work for school reports or simply to read about the history of their people. 2002, Harry N. Abrams, $18.95. Ages 4 up. Reviewer: Donna Freedman (Children's Literature). Best Books: Best of the Bunch, 2002; Association of Jewish Librarians; United States Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, Supplement, 2003; H.W. Wilson; United States Publishers Weekly Book Review Stars, September 30, 2002; Cahners; United States Awards, Honors, Prizes: National Jewish Book Awards Winner 2002-2003 Children and Young Adult Literature United States ISBN: 0810905507 Jonah and the Two Great Fish Mordicai Gerstein Illustrations by Mordicai Gerstein    Did you know that Jonah had not one but two experiences in the belly of a fish? Ancient legend embellishes the well-known tale by pointing out that God, in great mercy, at first provided the prophet with a rather comfortable environment within a great fish. When that didn't achieve the desired result of Jonah's bending to his fate and going to Nineveh to foretell its destruction, God was forced to send an even bigger and more dismal fish to finish the job. Richly deep-toned oils on vellum paintings lend majesty to one of the world's favorite stories. 1997, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Children, Ages 5 to 8, $16.00. Reviewer: Judy Chernak ISBN: 0-689-81373-2 Jonah and the Whale Illustrated by Julie Downing    The story of Jonah's disobedience to God is told on a level that toddlers can easily understand in this mini board book. The soft watercolor illustrations show Jonah trying to escape, but ending up inside the belly of a whale where he promises to obey God. Parents can flesh the basic story out, but the essence is there in an agreeable little package. 1997, DK, Ages 18 mo. to 4, $2.95. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot ISBN: 0-7894-2203-4 Journey's with Elijah: Eight Tales of the Prophet Barbara Diamond Goldin Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney   Elijah is a familiar figure to many religions, but the prophet holds a special place in the hearts of many Jews. "The belief in the possibility of an Elijah encourages us to act as if each person we meet might be Elijah in disguise. It encourages us to be more caring and considerate of others." This collection from around the world offers lessons and a variety of settings, all of which are showcased by the lush watercolors of Jerry Pinkney. His spreads and single page illustrations are full of details-the clothing, homes, scenery and most wonderfully the expressions of the men and women in the stories. From North Africa readers will wonder at the mysteries of God as they too take "A Journey with Elijah" while others will smile at the wisdom of clever Mina in "Seven Good Years," a tale set in Argentina. The final tale "Meeting Elijah" really brings home the message of what it takes to be worthy in the prophet's eyes. The book concludes with a list of further readings. Truly a book for those of any faith. 1999, Gulliver Books/Harcourt Brace, Ages 6 up, $20.00. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot A Journey to Paradise and Other Jewish Tales Retold by Howard Schwartz Illustrations by Giora Carmi    Here is a collection of tales less well known than those often encountered in folk tale volumes. Do you love mystery? Follow a talking raven on "The Flight of the Midwife" to the kingdom of the demons. Would you rather travel in time than in space? Try "A Journey to Paradise" to unravel the mystery of life after death, or "An Apple from the Tree of Life" to retrieve the only fruit capable of healing the Sultan's daughter. Is horror your bag? By all means, join the laughing bridegroom as he slips the wedding ring onto "The Finger in the Cemetery." Are you a Rip Van Winkle fan? Sample an Eastern European version, "The Student in Magic." Whatever your fancy, you'll find an array of tales originating in Israel, Yemen, Tunisia and Eastern Europe, attributed to rabbis and storytellers ancient or living just a short time ago. Many collected from the Israel Folktale Archives; these stories are retold and illustrated in fanciful and masterful style by an award-winning author and artist who need no introduction. 2000, Pitspopany, Ages 6 up, $16.95 and $9.95. Reviewer: Judy Chernak ISBN: 0-943706-21-1 ISBN: 0-943706-16-5 A Kid's Catalog of Israel Chaya M. Burstein   Updated from its previous edition, this will still rank as a top choice for anyone interested in anything about Israel. Written and illustrated in a breezy style accessible to all, this reference includes everything from history, topography and politics to games, songs, crafts and recipes. There's a section featuring profiles of Israeli kids of a surprising variety; a virtual tour of the tiny country from its frigid mountains to the lowest spot on earth, the Dead Sea; an overview of its holidays; and a chilling account of its famous war heroes and undercover agents who contributed to the formation of the State in 1948. One of my favorites is about 39 grandmothers, each portrayed as a real woman of her time and her country, who illustrate the origins of the Jewish people and how they survived, traveling repeatedly from and back to the Land of Israel over the many centuries. The last profile is left blank, so the reader can fill in details of his/her own grandmother today, the 39th generation. 1998 (1988), Jewish Publication Society, Ages 8 up, $16.95. Reviewer: Judy Chernak Lights along the Path: Jewish Folklore through the Grades for Children Age Four to Twelve Rebecca Schacht Illustrations by Jacqui Morgan    Quite a delightful book, this panoramic view of Jewish folk tales is divided into age-appropriate sections, along with the author's concise comments explaining the basis for her choices. She also begins with a compelling explanation of the Jewish view of midrash, "filling in the spaces between" the written law--the Torah--and the oral law--the people's word-for-word transmission through the centuries of their stories, reasonings, culture, and legends full of wisdom. Since many peoples find their own paths to similar traditions, there are samples of twelfth century adaptations of Aesop's Fables called The Fox Fables, which include familiar animals but always employ a Jewish twist--luring the opponent by pretending to be a Torah scholar or partaking of the Sabbath feast as a reward. There are plenty of wise and wicked, ordinary and supernatural, mystical and mean heroes and villains to satisfy every taste, and the scope of these tales cuts a broad swath reminiscent of Grimm, Greek mythology, the Prince and the Pauper, and maybe even, anachronistically, Harry Potter. Morgan's beautiful watercolors are set off by her unusual signature dimensional metallic borders, making each page a feast of details for the eye. I especially liked the sidebars on nearly every page with additional notes about a Hebrew letter or a character in the story. 1999, Chelsey Press, Ages 4 to 12, $16.95. Reviewer: Judy Chernak ISBN: 0-9668448-0-7 The Lion and the Unicorn Shirley Hughes A young Jewish boy evacuated from London during the Blitz in World War II, finds life difficult and different at the country estate to which he is sent. Ostracized by the other children, and teased for wetting the bed, Lenny is befriended by a young one-legged man returned from the war, whom he meets in a secret garden containing a magical unicorn statue. When he faces his own fears one night, Lenny learns firsthand about one of the different kinds of courage his friend has mentioned. Hughes's typically robust, expressive characters here are effectively placed against impressionistic backgrounds that are darker, larger, and more dramatic than her usual cozy domestic settings, emphasizing Lenny's fears and lonely struggles, and eventually the happy resolution. 1999,. DK Ink, Ages 6 to 10, $17.95. Reviewer: Linnea Hendrickson Lise Meitner: Discoverer of Nuclear Fission Rachel Stiffler Barron    Lise Meitner is a name that is not as renowned as many of her scientific contemporaries. Born in the late 19th century in Austria-Hungary, Lise Meitner grew up to become one of the leading physicists of the past century. Having to overcome enormous barriers due to her gender, Lise completed her doctoral studies and then went on to advanced research in Berlin. Teaming with future Nobel Prize winner, Otto Hahn, Lise Meitner was a leading researcher in the areas of radiation, atomic structure, and nuclear fission. Her life in Germany was plagued by the violence that marked that nation's history in the 20th century. Serving as a medical assistant during World War I, Lise saw the horrors of warfare as she treated the wounded. Later, after the emergence of Hitler's Nazi minions, Lise was to experience the pain attendant to anti-Semitism. Ironically, Lise never considered herself Jewish as she had converted to a Protestant faith in her teenage years. However, in the eyes of the Nazis, Lise was a Jew who had literally no rights in that society. Faced with the increasingly horrific discrimination Lise chose to emigrate to Sweden where she continued her research under austere conditions and while living in poverty. She refused an offer to travel to the United States to take part in the Manhattan Project as she abhorred the concept of harnessing fission to produce a monstrous weapon. After World War II ended, Lise was saddened to see her efforts overlooked by both the scientific community at large and by her long-term colleague Otto Hahn. Only nsiders within the field of physics knew Lise's contributions to the discovery of nuclear fission. Eventually, greater understanding of Lise Meitner's contributions did occur but not to an extent comparable to the scope of her work. It is the life story of this brilliant, resilient, and private person that is ably told in this biographical work. Readers come away with an understanding of both the amazing depth of Lise Meitner's work and the prejudices she struggled to overcome. 2000, Morgan Reynolds Incorporated, Ages 12 up, $19.95. Reviewer: Greg M. Romancek ISBN: 1-883846-52-8 My First Hebrew Word Book Judye Groner and Madeline Wikler Pictures by Pepi Marzel    Pastel watercolor pages crammed with familiar people and things will make this dictionary book a favorite with the youngest set. Beginning with "ani - I" (also spelled in Hebrew letters, of course) a child's body parts are identified. Next we move on to the family, items of clothing, a house and what's in it, and then each room, and what's in it. On to school, the city, the grocery store. Back home for bedtime (which, for some odd reason, precedes bathtime, and both of which precede the birthday party, the zoo, the seasons, numbers and colors!) Except for this strange sequence, this is a delightful book and presents a large, useful word list in Hebrew and transliteration. It should be ever so much fun for children to learn the language with such adorable pages to turn. 2005, Kar-Ben, Ages 3 to7, $17.95. Reviewer: Judy Chernak (Children's Literature). ISBN: 1-58013-126-3 My Secret Camera: Life in the Lodz Ghetto Frank Dabba Smith Photographs by Mendel Grossman    What a powerful book! Mendel Grossman, a Polish Jew, risked his life to photograph life, despair, and the never-ending hope for survival in the face of death in a Polish ghetto during World War II. Because he was "assigned" to the German photography lab, Grossman had access to film and developing equipment. Carefully and secretly he made the black-and-white photographs, developed them, and gave away hundreds of prints in hopes that some would survive. In the last few days before the total evacuation of Lodz, Grossman hid the negatives in a wall in his home. He soon was sent from the Lodz Ghetto to a prison camp in Germany and died on a forced march, just days before the Germans surrendered in 1945. After the war, his sister salvaged the negatives and took them to Israel with her, but during the 1948 Israeli War, the kibbutz where she lived was destroyed, and the negatives were lost. As Grossman had hoped, some of the prints survived and are now on display in two museums in Israel. Copies of the prints have been collected in this book where Frank Smith has added powerfully simple first-person text to explain each photograph. This picture book for older children and young adults dramatically presents the reality of war and could be a powerful introduction to a study of World War II and the injustices dealt the Jews. 2000, Gulliver Books/Harcourt, Ages 9 to 12, $16.00. Reviewer: Jenny B. (J. B.) Petty ISBN: 0-15-202306-2 The Nazi Olympics: Berlin 1936 Susan Bachrach    The 1936 Berlin Olympics gave Adolf Hitler an opportunity to show off his "new Germany." Olympic visitors saw clean streets, colorful posters, specially published Olympic newspapers, and beautiful, new athletic facilities. Germany spent three years preparing for the games. Had the proposed United States boycott occurred, the Nazis would have been humiliated. But Jesse Owens and Ralph Metcalfe would not have had their glorious victories. Bachrach does a nice job of presenting all the issues of this controversial Olympics. Information about individual athletes is provided along with a good overview of the political climate. This well-written text provides fodder for an intriguing debate topic: should the United States have boycotted the 1936 Olympics? The subject also invites comparison to the 1980 Olympics when President Carter decided not to send a U.S. team to the Soviet Union. Generously illustrated with black and white archival photographs, this book will give readers lots to ponder visually and mentally. 2000, Little, Brown, & Company, Ages 10 up, $14.95. Reviewer: Jackie Hechtkopf ISBN: 0-316-07087-4 ISBN: 0-316-07086-6 Noah and the Great Flood Mordicai Gerstein   This is the best book about Noah's Ark that you will ever buy. Using as his sources midrashim (rabbinical legends) that have been told about the Great Flood, Gerstein has created the ultimate Noah story, from his remarkable birth through his divine selection as God's emissary to a fatally flawed world. Delightful detail is what makes this book special. Did you know, for example, that Noah was born with rainbow eyes foretelling his mission as a "bridge" for mankind? Or, did you know that the ark cooperated with Noah by building itself? Gerstein's fanciful oil paintings show wondrous creatures, previously unseen, who survived the watery calamity with Noah's human family. The urshanas, in particular, look like creatures ready for licensing as stuffed animals. All in all, this is a book that will delight young and old readers with its original and imaginative presentation of a treasured Old Testament tale. 1999, Simon and Schuster, Ages 5 to 10, $16.00. Reviewer: Lois Rubin Gross Noah's Ark Lucy Cousins    Lucy Cousin's artwork is delightfully distinctive and well suited to the visual sensibilities of young children. Her characteristic solid backgrounds showcase the fun ark and numerous animals. This very simple retelling of the Bible story is formatted as a board book for the smallest children. The original edition received Best Book of the Year Awards from Parents and Parenting magazines. 1997 (orig. 1993), Candlewick, Ages 1 to 3, $15.99, $5.99, $4.99 and $6.99. Reviewer: Kristin Harris ISBN: 0-56402-213-7 ISBN: 0-56402-215-2 ISBN: 1-56402-515-2 ISBN: 0-7636-0250-7 The Opposites of My Jewish Year L. N. Dion Pictures by Julie Olson    Joining the other successful Very First Board Books from Kar-Ben is this new offering with its opposites concepts. Each holiday in the year is depicted with symbols that are opposing: Rosh Hashanah has the shofar for LOUD and the prayer for QUIET; for Yom Kippur, "the fish was BIG, Jonah was LITTLE;" and so on through Sukkot--the harvest holiday, Simchat Torah--when the Torah is completed and begun again, Hanukkah with its candles, Tu B'Shevat--the New Year of the Trees, Purim with its masks and costumes, Passover with its favorite Seder traditions, Shavuot--the anniversary of the giving of the Torah to Israel, and Shabbat with "this matzah ball is IN the soup, this matzah ball bounced OUT." Youngsters will delight in repeating the ups and downs, opens and closed, and other illustrations of opposites, and the pictures are quite adorable. A great gift for any time of the year, since each holiday is covered with its own page. 2005, Kar-Ben, Ages 1 to 3, $5.95. Reviewer: Judy Chernak (Children's Literature). ISBN: 1-58013-113-1 Parallel Journeys Eleanor Ayer with Helen Waterford and Alfons Heck    Ayers has crafted a remarkable book in Parallel Journeys. Alternating chapters describe the lives of Alfons Heck, a 16-year-old leader in the Hitler Youth, and Helen Waterford, a Jewish wife and mother who experienced the Holocaust. As Helen and her husband hid their young child with a Christian family near Amsterdam, Alfons was becoming the youngest top-rated German glider pilot. While Alfons led thousands of young German Hitler Youth in combat at the front, Helen was struggling to survive Auschwitz. The book centers upon the direct quotations of Helen and Alfons, with the text by Ayers supplying much-needed historical background and further detail. Differing in two main ways from other World War II/Holocaust novels, this book should be required reading for any student studying World War II. First, it tells the story of World War II from two different points of view, and second, Ayers does not conclude with the peace treaty. The book goes on to describe the difficulties of readjusting to life following the war. Readers can gain an understanding of the extreme displacement experienced by the Jews, left without a country, as well as of the emotional turmoil of the German people, many of whom felt betrayed by Hitler and personally guilty for the war crimes committed by the Nazis. The book ends with the amazing story of how Helen and Alfons finally met in America. The two now give lectures as a team, stressing the fact that the Holocaust, with its beginnings in prejudice, must never be forgotten in order that it may never be repeated. This is a compelling and amazing story of survival and forgiveness, for both the Jews and the Germans. 2000, Aladdin Paperbacks, Ages 11 to 17, $16.00 and $5.99. Reviewer: Elizabeth Pabrinkis ISBN: 0-689-31830-8 ISBN: 0-689-83236-2 A Promise Fulfilled: Theodor Hertzl, Chaim Weitzmann, and David Ben-Gurion Howard Greenfeld    This book discusses the establishment of the state of Israel through the lives and contributions of three men: Theodor Herzl, Chaim Weizmann, and David Ben-Gurion. The author hopes to answer the following questions: "Why should Jewish people have a state?" "Why did this state need to be located where it is?" "Why--and how--were they able to create this state?" The promise alluded to in the title is the promise that God made to Abraham in the Old Testament book of Genesis that God would raise a great nation through his descendants that would be a blessing to all. The strong belief in this promise and the work of these three extraordinary men is chronicled nicely in this book. It includes a timeline, a bibliography, and an index. This is a good book for libraries. 2005, Greenwillow Books/Harper Collins Publishers, $18.99 and $19.89. Ages 12 up. Reviewer: Gilda R. Daniels (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0-06-051504-X ISBN: 0-06-051505-8 Queen Esther the Morning Star Mordicai Gerstein    The story of Esther, heroine of the Jewish celebration of Purim, is retold in a detailed but lively fashion. Her marriage to Ahasueris, king of Persia, the treachery of the wicked Haman, the wisdom of her cousin Mordecai, and finally her courage in facing the king to save her people, are all clearly described and illustrated in ways that suggest an old book--framed scenes of varying sizes on painted pages, colored drawings reminiscent of illuminated manuscripts from the Persian region in their costuming, architectural settings, and flat perspective. Exaggerated gestures and facial features emphasize the happy results and holiday for the Jews rather than the threatened tragedy. An author's note adds background and depth. 2000, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, Ages 6 to 10, $16.00. Reviewer: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz ISBN: 0-689-81372-4 Raisel's Riddle Erica Silverman Illustrations by Susan Gaber   Cinderella meets Rachel the Clever in this non-traditional tale for the Jewish holiday of Purim. The rabbi's princely son discovers ragged Raisel to be his mental match when she poses riddles that challenge even his scholarly mind. The prince's ball is transformed into a Purim party where Raisel dresses as Queen Esther and spouts Talmud learned at her grandfather's knee. The book presupposes a knowledge of Purim customs, but even newcomers will recognize the story strands woven together in a new way. 1999, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, Ages 5 to 7, $16.00. Reviewer: Lois Rubin Gross Rescue and Resistance: Portraits of the Holocaust Macmillan Library Reference Staff    At first glance this encyclopedic volume is not for browsing. In fact, unless you know the name you're looking for, it doesn't seem useful. But it contains a wealth of information. Familiar names--David Ben Gurion, Elie Wiesel. Anne Frank--are certainly here. But unfamiliar names abound--French partisan commander Robert Gamzon and "Righteous among the nations" honorees Witold Fomenko and Anna Borkowska, are just two. Both Jews and non-Jews are profiled, each biography taking up to four pages. Sidebars give useful information, definitions (partisan, minimalist, statist) and timelines. This turns into an absolutely fascinating book, just right for browsing. One of the most interesting yet disturbing, parts of the book is the hundred pages devoted to biographies of Nazi leaders. We should, I suppose, know our enemies. The timeline, suggested additional reading, glossary, and index are all useful. Highly recommended and absolutely necessary for special collections. 1999, Macmillan Library Reference, Ages 12 up, $80.00. Reviewer: Judy Silverman ISBN: 0-02-865362-9 Rescuers Defying the Nazis: Non-Jewish Teens Who Rescued Jews Toby Axelrod   Preben Munch-Nielsen was only 14 in 1940, when German troops occupied Denmark, his home. But like so many other Danes, Preben risked his life by rescuing Jews from the Nazi occupiers. He helped ferry escaping refugees across the sea to neutral Sweden and safety. Still alive today, Preben is a successful Danish businessman who was honored for his wartime heroics by President Clinton in 1997. This well-researched, poignantly written book tells the story of Preben and others who helped Jews escape from the Holocaust. In addition to telling their stories, the author provides important historical perspective about the pre-war years in Germany, the Nazis rise to power and anti-Semitism. The book also contains a useful time line, with key dates beginning with Hitler's appointment as German Chancellor in 1933 and ending with Germany's surrender to the Allies nearly 16 ˝ years later in 1945. There is also a helpful glossary, with definitions for ghetto, Gestapo, Resistance and other relevant terms. Ideal for classroom research projects, this title will be a worthy addition to school libraries. 1999, Rosen, Ages 12 up, $17.95. Reviewer: Bruce Adelson The Secret of Gabi's Dresser Kathy Kacer    The book opens with Vera and Paul playing a rousing game of hide-and-seek in their Grandma Gabi's house. But, the story belongs to Grandma Gabi, who calms the children after their play with cookies and a story from her own childhood. Grandma Gabi, it seems, grew up in Czechoslovakia during World War II and played a life and death version of hide-and-seek with Nazi soldiers who had invaded her home. The raid was the last in a series of increasing intrusions and restrictions the German government had placed upon all peoples in the countries they'd conquered who didn't belong to their ideal superior race. This book, based on real people and real events, tells a chillingly real story from the child Gabi's point of view. The fact that Grandma Gabi tells the story to her grandchildren happily lessens the suspense about what happened to her personally during the war. But the reality she portrays of being a regular kid who has to endure the gradual loss of friends, family, possessions, and routines of normal life comes through hauntingly in this well-crafted, relentless, and unforgettable tale of courage, oppression, and love. 1999, Second Story Press, Ages 8 up, $4.95. Reviewer: Judy Katsh ISBN: 1-896764-15-0 The Shapes of My Jewish Year Marji Gold-Vukson Pictures by Sally Springer    This is a clever concept book that utilizes primary shapes and bright colors to connect with various aspects of the Jewish holidays throughout the annual cycle. A bright yellow circle is "a plump Matzah ball wading in steamy Shabbat soup...the shiny red apple I eat with honey on Rosh Hashanah...and the kiddush cup when I look down from the top" seeing purple grape juice enclosed in the shape of a round wine cup. Several other holidays--Sukkot, Tu B'Shevat, Passover, Hanukkah, Purim, and Simchat Torah--illustrate the oval, square, rectangle and triangle while focusing on important symbols that children will recognize. The text is necessarily quite limited and there is no glossary, so some knowledge of Jewish customs would be helpful to the reader; but the pictures are cute and graphic, so that children should have no trouble identifying the shapes. This sturdy board book is likely to become a toddler's favorite--Kar-Ben has another winner. 2003, Kar-Ben, $4.95. Ages 1 to 4. Reviewer: Judy Chernak (Children's Literature). ISBN: 1580130496 Something for Nothing Ann Redisch Stampler Illustrated by Jacqueline M. Cohen    Based on an old Yiddish tale told by the author's Polish grandmother, this humorous story explains how a clever dog outsmarts a trio of boisterous country cats. After living near the noisy marketplace in Bialystok, Dog gets fed up with city life and decides to pack his belongings and head to the quiet countryside. Within three days, he finds a quaint house and claims it as his own. However, after fixing up his new abode and settling in for a night of blissful sleep, Dog is rudely awakened by three rowdy cats that howl and screech loudly, destroy his garden, and toss stones and apples at his house. Angered by this outburst, Dog heads into town the next morning and hatches a scheme to quiet the noisemakers once and for all. He gathers his supplies and on the following Saturday heads to the inn, where he propositions the feisty felines to come to his house from moonrise to sunrise and make all kinds of noise and commotion. They gladly accept his offer in exchange for one gold zloty, and return to his house that night and make quite a racket. However, Dog is not satisfied. He decides to invite the exhausted cats back on the following two nights and ups the ante to five gold zlotys. Predictable and greedy, the cats once again drag themselves to the house for two more evenings of raucous noisemaking. On the following Saturday, Dog heads back to the inn and invites the cats to return to his cottage once more. However, this time he is out of money and asks them to do the job for free. Insulted by his offer, they angrily stomp out of the inn, never to be heard of again. Youngsters will enjoy Cohen's vibrant watercolor illustrations, which perfectly capture the exuberance of this silly tale. The author also includes an informative "Author's Note" at the end of the book. This collaborative effort is a wonderful debut for both the author and illustrator. 2003, Clarion Books, $15.00. Ages 6 to 9. Reviewer: Debra Briatico (Children's Literature). Best Books: Best Children's Books of the Year, 2004; Bank Street College of Education; United States Best of the Bunch, 2003; Association of Jewish Librarians; United States Awards, Honors, Prizes: Aesop Prize Accolade 2003 United States ISBN: 0618159827 Strudel Stories Joanne Rocklin   "Without stories the strudel will be a big fat flop," advises Grandpa Willy. He relates family stories while he recreates, from original recipes, the flaky apple strudel that his granddaughters adore. The stories bring seven generations of a Jewish family to life. We are provided with a rich slice of life as we dip into the lives of relatives from Polish shtetls to new immigrants. From Leon, a survivor of World War II, we understand why he loves strudel but can't eat it because of the sad memories it recalls. But the luscious pastry and his story add to the family's appreciation of their heritage. Yes, Leon learns to enjoy strudel again. This savory read aloud will serve as inspiration for children to share their stories and their "security blanket" foods. Recipes included. 1999, Delacorte, Ages 7 to 11, $14.95. Reviewer: Jan Lieberman A Sweet Year: A Taste of the Jewish Holidays Mark Podwal    As a nice Jewish girl who actually spent one of the nights of Rosh Hashanah watching a stage production of Jesus Christ Superstar, I appreciated this small book that dedicates a page to each holiday then mentions some of the food that is eaten and why. For Rosh Hashanah, pomegranates are eaten, since they are said to have 613 seeds to make the 613 commandments of the Torah. For Purim the soft (water color?) illustrations show children walking in costumes that make them look like hamantaschen, three-sided pastries with fruit centers. There is a short explanation of the holidays at the back of the book in addition to a good bibliography, if the book has "whetted your appetite" for more information. Obviously this is a good book in our house, but I think it's good in any house or classroom where you want to know more about other cultures in a simple and accessible way. 2003, Doubleday Books for Young Readers, $12.95 and $14.99. Ages 3 to 8. Reviewer: Sharon Levin (Children's Literature).    Although a small size, this is no board book for toddlers but rather an intriguing invitation into a land of mystic symbolism, tidbits of tales, and the beauties of the Jewish holidays. Podwal tells us in his Author's Note that he created the gouache and acrylic paintings in response to an invitation from the Ruth Youth Wing Library of The Israel Museum in Jerusalem before adding the text to make this book. Centered around special foods associated with the holidays, the primitive-style pictures are often symbolic rather than literal so that the reader is not spoon fed but will have to coax out the connections to the text. We are gifted with bits of legend as: On Tu Bi-Shevat, the New Year for Trees, "...according to legend, trees kiss and wish one another a happy new year" and "It is said that at the beginning of every Sabbath, two angels visit each home. To see if it has been made ready for this holy day. And to offer a taste of heaven." Truly a charming book, best read by a loving elder to a thirsty child; both will be enriched. A section explaining customs of the holidays is included at the end. 2003, Doubleday, $12.95. Ages 5 to 9. Reviewer: Judy Chernak (Children's Literature). Best Books: Best of the Bunch, 2003; Association of Jewish Librarians; United States Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, Supplement, 2004; H.W. Wilson Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, 2004; National Council for the Social Studies; United States ISBN: 0-385-74637-7 ISBN: 0-385-90869-5 The Travels of Benjamin of Tudela: Through Three Continents in the Twelfth Century Uri Shulevitz    The world of 1159, when the medieval Jewish traveler set out on his fourteen-year journey from Tudela in northern Spain, was a dark and dangerous one. Shulevitz has us share the adventure as Benjamin might have related it to his friends, who had thought he would never return. A map shows his route around much of the Mediterranean's shores, with a detour up to the Caspian Sea. Traveling by ship, caravan, river boat, he endures many hardships as he visits the important sites of his time--including Rome, Constantinople, Jerusalem, and Mount Sinai. Benjamin vividly describes each place and its inhabitants, including the legends and tales he is told there, organized by topic on double pages which combine text with detailed paintings. Shulevitz periodically adds additional factual information in sidebars as well. There is a richness to his combination of scratchboard-like architectural renderings and strong colors that is intensely emotional. Historical cities are replete with buildings and monuments, city walls, and diversely-costumed people. The visual experience adds significantly to the intriguing narrative of distant times and places. The author notes his sources, with an extensive bibliography, and clearly states how he has added to or altered Benjamin's own story. 2005, Farrar Straus Giroux, $17.00. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewers: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature).    At daybreak the weary traveler enters the gates of Tudela. After a journey of 14 years, he is home. Using the original Hebrew record and other period sources, Shulevitz has meticulously researched the remarkable odyssey that Benjamin of Tudela began in 1159 and infuses his matter-of-fact style with the excitement of a first-person narrative. In a time when travel was fraught with danger, Benjamin made his way by land and sea relying on his cunning and bravery for safe passage. To his friends in Tudela, Benjamin relates the sight, sounds, and smells of the exotic ports of call that include Rome, Syria, Baghdad, Babylon, and China. He weaves comments about cultural and political differences he observed, relates stories he has heard, and brings to his listeners tales of lands and people they can only imagine. Whether he is telling of skillfully out-navigating ruthless pirates or describing the pageantry of the Christmas extravaganza in the Hippodrome or viewing the remains of the ancient Tower of Babel, Benjamin has the undivided attention of his listeners. The epic journey requires illustrations of epic proportions and Shulevitz rises to the occasion. His artwork is rich in jewel-like colors and each illustration is painstaking rendered to convey medieval life. Surely this will be considered for the Caldecott Medal. 2005, Farrar Straus Giroux, $17.00. Ages 9 to 14. Reviewer: Beverley Fahey (Children's Literature). Best Books: Booklist Book Review Stars, Mar. 15, 2005; United States Kirkus Book Review Stars, March 1, 2005; United States School Library Journal Book Review Stars, April 2005; Cahners; United States Awards, Honors, Prizes: Parent's Choice Award Recommended 2005 Non-Fiction United States ISBN: 0-374-37754-5 This is Our Seder Ziporah Hildebrandt Illustrated by Robin Roraback   Dedicated in part to "anyone enjoying a Seder for the first time." this is, indeed, a basic introduction to both the sacramental and ornamental features of the Seder, the Jewish festival meal that celebrates and commemorates the ancient release of the Jews from their bondage in Egypt. Each page identifies and depicts, in lively cartoon-like drawings, one element of the festive meal. An extended family is pictured performing both the serious and the celebratory rituals of the holiday. Young children and other readers trying to understand what's going on will probably be best served by reading this book with a knowledgeable partner, although there is a more detailed description of the holiday at the end of the book. The delight here, though, is in the family. Clearly they are enjoying the freedom that they're celebrating. 1999, Holiday House, Ages 4 to 8, $15.95. Reviewer: Judy Katsh Til the Cows Come Home Jodi Icenoggle Illustrated by Normand Chartier    This is an intriguing Western version of the old Jewish folktale about a button, sometimes called "Something from Nothing." A young cowboy, when not busy with his ranching chores, makes bridles, saddles, "all sorts of riggins." His "leather poundin' was finer than frog's hair." One day he is given a fine piece of leather, from which he makes "whoopi-ti-yi-yo chaps" that he figures to wear "'til the cows come home." But they eventually wear out; still he has enough leather for a fine vest. After that gets "drab," he manages a "rootin', tootin' pair of gloves." By this time he is courting sweet Sally Mae. All he can squeeze from the worn gloves is a hat band to wear to their wedding. Each time he thinks he creation will last "'il the cows come home." But finally even the button he makes from the hat band gets lost. All he has left is the story to tell his little girl. But that will last "'til the cows come home." Chartier fills the double pages with attractive characters in the "wide open spaces." The outfits and "riggins" fit the activities of roping or barn dancing. The final scenes of the father and daughter add tenderness to the fun. There is a glossary of Western vocabulary. 2004, Boyds Mills, $15.95. Ages 5 to 8. Reviewers: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature). State and Provincial Reading Lists: Treasure State Award, 2006; Nominee; Grades K-3; Montana ISBN: 1-56397-987-X To Bigotry No Sanction: The Story of the Oldest Synagogue in America Leonard Everett Fisher   Here is a look at part of American history that few Americans even think of. When were Jews allowed to settle in America? Did anyone object? Were Jews prohibited from settling anywhere in the new country? Jews actually came to America at the very beginning-it is thought that at least two of Columbus' crew were Jewish. And in Rhode Island, in 1759, the Jewish community began to build a synagogue. That synagogue, designed by America's first architect, is still being used today. But the Jews took nothing for granted, and in 1790 they wrote a letter to George Washington, congratulating him on his victories and expressing hope that they would be allowed to be citizens of the new country. Washington, in his response, used the phrase repeated in the title of this fascinating book. This needs to be read by everyone. Highly recommended. 1998, Holiday House, Ages 8 to 15, $16.95. Reviewer: Judy Silverman To Life Ruth Minsky Sender    Holocaust survivors faced an unexpected challenge after liberation from the concentration camps. They found themselves both homeless and stateless. In this beautiful sequel to Sender's extraordinary memoir, The Cage, readers learn how nineteen-year-old Riva traveled back to Lodz, Poland only to find no traces of her younger brothers or mother. Like other survivors, Riva's home has been taken over by Poles and she must sleep in temporary shelters. These shelters also serve as message centers as survivors post letters to the loved ones they hope to find. Riva meets another young survivor named Moniek. They marry and travel to a displaced persons camp in Germany where they begin a five-year wait for visas to America. During this time, Riva is fortunately reunited with three older siblings who escaped to Russia before the war. She also gives birth to two healthy children. Without bitterness or sentimentality, Sender describes what it was like for Holocaust survivors to rebuild their lives in a world that refused to welcome them. The refrain from The Cage, "while there is life, there is hope" takes on an even deeper meaning in this poignant memoir. 2000 (orig. 1988), Aladdin Paperbacks, Ages 12 up, $4.99. Reviewer: Jackie Hechtkopf ISBN: 0-689-83282-6 Two Suns in the Sky Miriam Bat-Ami   Fifteen-year-old Christine Cook's world is broadened in many different ways with the arrival of the refugees to the Emergency Refugee Shelter in her hometown of Oswego, New York in 1944. Against her father's orders Chris enters the fenced camp, and meets Adam Bornstein, a Jewish refugee from Yugoslavia who is there with his mother and sister. Told in their alternating voices, we learn about Adam's past and hope that his brother and father will join them. We follow along as Chris finds her first boyfriend, and learns about the effects of war and attempts to cope with her bigoted, over-protective father. The reader is drawn into the story as their friendship and love, both emotional and physical, develop over the course of the year. The author has drawn upon true stories of the refugees and the townsfolk to create this novel. It brings an interesting moment in history to life, and will stay in one's mind and heart for a long time. 1999, Front Street/Cricket Books, Ages 12 up, $15.95. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo Us and Them: A History of Intolerance in America Jim Carnes   That America the Beautiful has a wide and deep history of intolerance will come as no surprise to most people. This is merely a brief accounting of fourteen examples of persecution based on race, religion, gender, political practice, and sexual preference from colonial times to the present. Sidebars offer appropriate documentation and place each event in historical context. It's not a pretty picture, but an important one that will generate classroom discussion about why and how Americans hate. 1995, Oxford University Press, Ages 12 up, $14.95 and $22.00. Reviewer: Lois Rubin Gross What You Will See Inside a Synagogue Lawrence Hoffman and Ron Wolfson    This well-structured book, laden with valuable information, should be made available to everyone to bring about a better understanding of the Jewish religion. Its publication in this day and age is sure to make an impact on reading audiences. A shalom and welcome greets readers on the introductory page and sets readers up for the rest of the book. It is also explains that words throughout the text denoted by an * have a pronunciation key on the bottom of the page. The key is a plus for readers who receive the definition of the words from the text. Written in an informative, yet easy, gentle reading manner, the book reaches out to teach about the synagogue as a physical structure and the religious practices of the people who worship there. Wonderfully colorful photographs of synagogues and Jewish people abound. In addition to main photos, several extras, generally in correlation to sidebars, are placed on the text page. JewishLights Publishing and SonLights Publishing have worked together to present material in which people learn about acceptance and working together with others. Other topics covered include Bar and Bat Mitzvah, High Holy Days, and enjoying Shabbat. 2004, SkyLight Paths Publishing, $17.99. Ages 6 up. Reviewer: Nancy Garhan Attebury (Children's Literature). Best Books: Notable Children's Books of Jewish Content, 2004; Association of Jewish Librarians; United States ISBN: 1594730121 When the Soldiers Were Gone Vera Propp   What is the right age to begin teaching children the literature of the Holocaust? It is a difficult and much-debated question among historical and religious educators. The few picture books that deal with the intense and frightening historical period are aimed at older readers (Innocente's Rose Blanche comes instantly to mind). Vera Propp's chapter book speaks to children in third through fifth grade and, as such, deals not with the issue of genocide but with the fearful and trauma-filled life of a "hidden child." Henk learns, only when his biological parents come to claim him, that the family he considers his own are Dutch "righteous Gentiles" who have sheltered him during the war. Deprived of all that is familiar, the child, who is now called Benjamin, must adjust to an unfamiliar environment and a new family, including an adopted younger "brother," his orphaned cousin Carl. The horrors of the Holocaust are briefly described by Benjamin's parents, but never given graphic substance, which is appropriate for the age of the intended reader. Based on a true story, this is a gently told and very appropriate introduction to a tragic subject. 1999, Putnam, Ages 8 to 12, $14.99. Reviewer: Lois Rubin Gross The Wisdom Bird: A Tale of Solomon and Sheba Retold by Sheldon Oberman Illustrations by Neil Waldman    What happens when the wisest man in the world fields a question from the wisest woman in the world? King Solomon learns that wisdom and the right answers aren't always enough to keep the world on its rightful path when the Queen of Sheba (Cush in the Bible, Ethiopia today) comes to meet, to test and to learn from him. How can he keep his promise to her when it means the birds of the world will have to give up their beaks? This story has echoes of the other famous Solomonic story about dividing one living infant between two mothers who both claim it as their own and teaches a gentle and very powerful lesson. The author credits Howard Schwartz and Barbara Rush's retold tale, "A Palace of Bird Beaks" and includes his own elements of tales from Africa, ancient Israel, Yemen and Europe. He does not get into whether or not the King and the Queen were more than student and teacher for each other, as legend has it. Waldman's acrylic paintings suit the book well, with one important caveat: While the Queen is gloriously African in her appearance and costuming, this reviewer did not care for Solomon's royal clothing, which looks suspiciously like a modern kippah (head covering) and tallit (prayer shawl) rather than the royal purple and royal blue robes and golden jeweled crown which are more appropriate to Solomon's era and would surely have been worn to welcome and to dazzle a visiting head of state. 2000, Caroline/Boyds Mills Press, Ages 4 to 8, $15.95. Reviewer: Judy Chernak ISBN: 1-56397-816-4 To view topics on this feature from previous years click here. To stay up to date on new books on this topic, consider subscribing to The Children's Literature Comprehensive Database. For your free trial, click here. Last Updated 09/30/2005.