Archive for the ‘Reviews’ Category
Book Review | Rebecca’s Journey Home
by Brynn Olenberg Sugarman
Score: 4
This book describes in wonderful detail and with beautiful illustrations the many steps the Stein family had to take in order to adopt a child from Vietnam. It describes how Le Thi Hong would become Rebecca Rose and then Rivka Shoshana. It describes how she would be Vietnamese, American and Jewish. It also describes her [...]
Book Review | Across the Alley
by Richard, Michelson
Score: 4
Illustrated by E. B. Lewis.
© 2006 – Putnam.
This story is set in old-time Brooklyn, New York. Abe is a young, white, Jewish boy. Willie is his young, black neighbor. Abe’s grandfather thinks he will be “the next Jascha Heifetz.” Willie’s father “was a starter in the Negro leagues” therefore Willie is “going to pitch in [...]
Book Review | Abraham’s Search for God
by Jacqueline Jules
Score: 4
Illustrated by Natascia Ugliano. ©2007, Kar-Ben Publishing.
This is a beautiful retelling of the midrash about Abraham’s discovery of Monotheism. It is told in a way that young children can grasp the concept of a Power so much greater than anything on this earth that created everything on this earth. Yet, they can understand that this [...]
Book Review | A Mezuzah on the Door
by Amy Meltzer
Score: 3
In this warm and uniquely illustrated story, we read about Noah, a young boy who has moved to a house in the suburbs after growing up in the city. He has fallen asleep to the sounds of his neighbors sneezing, playing violin and doing dishes and now finds it difficult to sleep with so much [...]
Book Review | Mendel’s Accordion
by Heidi Smith Hyde
Score: 5
This is an exceptional picture book. While providing another version of a Jewish immigrant’s journey from Russia to America, it also describes the rebirth of Klezmer music as it occurred in one family. This is the story of Mendel and his accordion providing music to his community then joining up with other musicians to form [...]
