|
|
December 20, 2002/Tevet 15 5763, Vol. 55, No. 17
Books tackle anti-Semitism, multiculturalism
BETH OLSON
Staff Writer
"Fitting In" by Sharon Kirsh (Second Story Press, $6.95 paperback)
Mollie is a pre-teenage Jewish girl growing up in the '60s in a small city in Canada. Her town does not have a large Jewish population, but there are two synagogues and she always has at least a couple of other Jewish students in her public school class. Growing up, Mollie didn't feel much different from the other children - except for the High Holidays and having to go to Hebrew school after school.
A series of events, from someone telling her she doesn't "look" Jewish to learning about the Holocaust and experiencing an anti-Semitic attack on her home, lead Mollie down a path of self-discovery. It's a coming-of-age story from a Jewish perspective.
There are points in this novel where it doesn't flow well - jumping from one idea to another without a clear connection - but it doesn't really hinder the story's readability. You do, however, get the impression that the author is incorporating incidents and characters from her own childhood and is, perhaps, trying to cram a whole childhood of memories into the six-month span of the book.
Parents may want to read this book before passing it along to younger readers, as the story contains some strong emotional content for elementary-age children.
This novel is recommended for readers ages 9-13.
"Jalapeno Bagels" by Natasha Wing, illustrated by Robert Casilla (Atheneum, $16 hardcover)
Pablo's Mexican mother and Jewish father own a bakery. When Pablo is asked to bring something that represents his family's culture to International Day at school, Pablo struggles over the decision whether to bring his mother's pan dulce (Mexican sweet bread) and empanadas de calabaza (pumpkin turnovers) or his father's bagels and challah. On Sunday morning, he helps his parents in the bakery making their own special recipe for jalapeno bagels, and Pablo decides they are the perfect blend of cultures for International Day.
This is a simple story with lifelike illustrations in watercolor. The story presents a great opportunity for parents to discuss cultural foods and traditions.
This book is recommended for ages 5-8.
"A Journey to Paradise and Other Jewish Tales" retold by Howard Schwartz, illustrated by Giora Carmi (Pitspopany Press, $9.95 paperback)
This collection of folktales from Europe, Tunisia, Yemen and Israel deal with issues of fate and faith. From magical tales to ghost stories, these folktales look at how the characters solve problems in sometimes wise, sometimes funny ways.
A few of the tales should even be scary enough for the older-elementary set.
The colorful illustrations and variety of stories make this an appealing collection for any child age 5-12.
"What-If Sara" by Rhea Tregebov, illustrated by Leanne Franson (Second Story Press, $ 4.95 hardcover)
Sara desperately wants to help her parents in their work, from baking challah to making a jacket, but when her creative mind distracts her from the tasks at hand, she is shooed away by her frustrated parents. But when her mother is away on a visit and her father needs help with his business, it is Sara who saves the day.
This story will appeal to children who, like Sara, "have such busy fingers, but they're busy always making messes."
This picture book is recommended for ages 5-8.
Contact the writer at beth_olson@jewishaz.com.
|
