Book Description

Hannah thinks tonight’s Passover Seder will be the same as always. Little does she knowthat this year she will be mysteriously transported into the past where only she knows thehorrors that await. ... Read more

Reviews (187)

The Devil's Arithmetic
The Devil's Arithmetic by Jane Yolen in my opinion was a good novel to help others remember the Holocaust and the tragic events that occurred. Jane Yolen strived make the concentration camps seem real to the reader throughout the novel. This is a story of a Jewish 12 year old girl named Hannah Stern who has always questioned why we should remember what has happened in the past. During the Passover Seder, as Hannah pours the wine, she is suddenly in 1940 in a small village in Poland. Hannah, as well as her family and friends are taken away to a concentration camp where conditions are appalling. Hannah is forced to realize and understand what her ancestors went through, and realizes that we should remember for their sake. Chaya, Hannah's Polish name, is willing to risk her life for her friends and wonders is she will ever again see her family, and through Yolen's descriptive writing style, the reader is able to imagine themselves in the book as another character and feel the pain that Chaya feels. Jane Yolen has created a book that forces us to remember the hardships that were placed upon the Jews by the Nazis during the Holocaust, and is a must-read.

You'll never forget it
This is Schindler's List for children, a chilling account of the Holocaust from the point of view of a young girl. Yolen skimps on few details, and you can tell that her story comes straight from the heart.

Hannah, a modern Jewish girl, is irritated by the Passover Seder and the "remembering" of the Holocaust, which some of her relatives lived through. But when she opens the door for Elijah, she is transported through time and space to a village in Poland.

Soon the Nazis arrive, and Hannah (called "Chaya" by everyone in this new time) must both try to survive and to keep her friends alive in the deathcamps.

I tried very, very hard to summarize this story, but the spiritual and emotional tones are simply impossible to talk about. This is an intense book, the descriptions of it simply can't express the greatness of this plot.

A haunting tale of life, death, memory and sorrow. Even though this is a children's book, it may be disturbing for younger readers--you might want to talk to your children about it afterward.

The Devil's Arithmetic: A Holocaust Story
By: Jane Yolen

This is a novel about the Jewish experience in concentration camps. There is a spoiled young girl by the name of Hannah. She hates her family's Seder meal, but when she goes to open the door for the prophet Elijah, she gets transported back in time to the year if World War II. Gitl and Shmuel are calling her Chaya instead of her real name. At Shmuel's wedding, the Germans come and take them away to concentration camps where they are starved, humiliated, and periodically killed. What will be Hannah's fate? Will she ever return to her normal life?
I genuinely enjoyed this book. I loved the plot, and the ending was magnificent. I liked how courageous Hannah was. She was a true hero to me even though she was only there in the pages of the book.
Right off the bat, the plot and storyline are some of the book's many strengths. Another good thing that Yolen gives you is the plain knowledge and facts about concentration camps. She tells about the different types of labor and the horrible conditions of the concentration camps. After reading this book, I had a whole other view of the insanities and inhuman conditions of the Nazis. I can really connect that to my life and appreciate every single thing I have, including time on this Earth.
My favorite part was during a scene with the midden:

"When they got to the midden, they skinned out of their clothes and dove naked into the dump."

I enjoyed this excerpt because it was funny how Hannah just stood there and watched. She was a true first-timer!
I think that the thing that the author would like me to take away from this book is just plainly the story of the Holocaust. She wants people to read her book and remember. Of course she wanted to tell a great story of survival and courage, but she only wants us to take away from this the story and knowledge of the Jewish experience.
This is one of the most memorable books I have ever read because of the fact that it was entertaining but still informing. The word choice that the author used really brought out clear pictures in my mind. The image was very powerful. You could not read this book and not be changed. It didn't have to be a big change. Only the way you look at your shoes. It is a meaningful book.
I recommend this book to people who really want to take something away from what they read and who care about their history. This book's theme is; if you don't appreciate what you have now, history has a way of showing itself to you! The evidence is the way Hannah was brought back in time. She was so changed by her experience and learned to appreciate life and what she had.

The Devil's Arithmetic
The Devil's Arithmetic is about a girl who is tired of remembering Passover meals. When she is asked to open the door for Elijah and is transported to the past in the year 1942. Her name in the real world is Hannah and then Chaya in her 'dream' and finally J197241 is her name. She is then taken to a concentration camp were she battles to remember lessons in school about the Holocaust. But no one believes her and she has to face work, deaths and escape.

The Devil's Arithmetic is a very interesting book. It has interesting characters that have interesting personalities. You can really learn a lot about the death camps and how the people inside dealt with it. It is really sad because Hannah knows what is going to happen to them but the people don't believe or listen to her. This causes Hannah to lose her mind and forget all about her normal life and any thing that has happened before her life in the death camp. It becomes every emotional for her and she becomes very doubtful in her self which causes it to be a sad book.

But there are some happy moments inside the camp. Like the fact that whenever the Commander came to inspect he camp, the Jewish people would make a sound that tells the children to hide, because children were not aloud to be in the camp. You also learn different codenames the Jewish people used in the camps. They also keep their hope up by reminding themselves about who they are by learning what their 'number' really means. There is also a happy part when Hannah makes friends with Rivka who really helps her survive.

But the book did have some downfall to it. I thought it ended very abruptly with no explanation. Also, if you wanted a book that explains the work in the camps, don't get this book. It doesn't have that good of an explanation of their work in the camp. In the beginning, she has a very good family but doesn't give that much information on them, which I was hoping for.

It was a very fun book that showed how friendship helped her survive.
It was because of her friendship with Rivka that she was able to survive so long. This was because Rivka knew what was happening faster then she could figure it out, so Rivka was able to help her in many ways. She also had a deep friendship with her aunt, considering that they didn't know each other that well. So I think the theme is 'friendship can help you survive in the toughest parts of life'.

My favorite part of the book is when Hannah finds faith in herself by making the numbers on her stand for something. This really is a good part because she begins to have faith in herself, which is really important for survival sake. Her number, J197241, means J for Jew, 1 for alone, 9 for 'no' she will no die, 7 for the 7 days a week that she survives, 2 for 2 family members in her 'dream', 4 for 4 family members in her old family, and 1 for again, that she was alone.

Overall this book was very interesting and kept you hanging on at some points. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in life as a Jewish person in World War II.

Excellent Holocaust Tale
Twelve year-old Hannah has always been impatient and embarrassed by her Jewish heritage and traditions of remembering. During the Passover Seder, the jaded Hannah is transported back to 1942 Poland when she opens the door for the prophet Elijah. She experiences life as Chaya, a young woman who is rounded up with the rest of her family and village and sent to a Nazi work camp. There she meets Rivka (one of her aunts who survived the camp), who teaches her how to survive the dehumanizing conditions in the camp. A gripping portrayal of life in the Nazi death camps. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Ruby Tuesday Sweet, 13, was named for the Rolling Stones tune by her rock-and-roll mother and lives happily with her nice dad Hollis. Her brother Jack has just been married in a spectacularly laid-back Laguna wedding on the beach, with the bride in a white lace bikini. In attendance were Ruby’s tottering but tough-talking grandmother Nana Sue and her mostly absent, glamorous, cigar-smoking mom Darlene. Ruby and Hollis are content with their passion for the Dodgers and their ongoing monopoly game, although she does wonder occasionally just what he does for a living with all those TV screens and number charts in his office. Events take a sinister turn when Hollis is accused of the murder of his bookie and Ruby and Darlene must flee to Las Vegas to escape a pair of mobsters. There they are taken in by Nana Sue, who lives permanently at the old Fremont Hotel and is a legend on the casino floor; playing shrewd blackjack, limping between the tables trailed by her pet iguana, and wreaking havoc with her cane when she is displeased. She and Darlene set out with Ruby to get to the bottom of the murder, and with the two hard-boozing, chain-smoking women, the teenager gets an insider tour of the backstage world of rock and the seamy inner workings of high-stakes gambling in Sin City. While the Laguna setting is a bit overblown, the Las Vegas milieu is spot on, and the characters are deliciously bizarre but loveable in this unusual first novel by a young new author. (Ages 12 and up) --Patty Campbell ... Read more

Reviews (4)

I couldn't put it down...
I just read this book in three days straight! I know the target age is supposed to be younger teens, but I'm 21 years old and proud to say that this was one of the most engaging, enjoyable, and flat out fun to read books I've read in a long time. Every character is more inventive and hilarious than the last, and every scene description makes me want to move out of New York and drive west. If you do anything this summer...READ THIS BOOK. You'll thank me when you're done.

Best book EVER!
Kogler's book is a pure pleasure.The action sucks you in and won't let you put the book down until you read it all.The characters are expertly drawn and (sometimes painfully) true to life, and they'll have you laughing out loud enough to make you never want to read it on the subway.Ruby Tuesday is great to read aloud to your kids or enjoy yourself, whether you're ten or tenty-ten.This hot new author is about to blow up on the YA scene, don't miss your chance to know her before she gets too popular to blog any more (see www.jenniferannekogler.com).

Amazing Breakout Novel
Ruby Tuesday is a rare break through book from an author whose youth is only matched by her talent. I bought it early, and I couldn't put the book down. Ruby is fun, smart and hilarious, a good read and incredibly entertaining. The story moves quickly, and is populated with unique and interesting characters. As good a read for adults as for teens, Ruby is the kind of book that everyone in the family will want/need to share. I also checked out the book's website at www.jenniferannekogler.com, and it made the book even cooler. I strongly recommend Ruby Tuesday to anyone in middle school or above (its allusions and references are too complicated for lower school students but wonderful for everyone else.) Don't hesitate to get this book, you won't regret it.

Fun debut with wonderful descriptions
Ruby Tuesday is just a regular old Cali girl, living in a little beachside town where no one minds their own business. She occupies herself with all the normal stuff - going to Los Angeles Dodgers games, attending beachside weddings, rewording school billboards... Her dad, Hollis, gives her mostly free rein while he "works." She isn't exactly sure what her father does, but she hears some of the gossips whisper, "hit men" and "mafia connections." She hears her dad and her Uncle Larry use strange words, which she writes down on the inside cover of her dictionary. She doesn't want to believe the gossips. Her mother ran off years ago and now that her brother Jack is married, Hollis is all the family she has left. Well, with the exception of Nana Sue, but she lives in Vegas. When the police turn up at her doorstep, accusing Hollis of murdering Uncle Larry, Ruby must face the fact that her father is a gambler - and a big one. She wants to stay with him, but her mother appears and ships her off to Las Vegas, her old stomping grounds. Followed by mysterious trenchcoated men, Ruby and her mother search Vegas for the real murderer. In the process, Ruby forms a relationship with her grandmother, known around town as "Casino Sue." Through her grandmother, she uncovers pieces of her parents' history, forming a new picture of her parents. I found this book to be a quick, fun read. It has a good underlying message, but it is by no means literature. It also could have used more explanation on the betting terms. After reading Ruby Tuesday, I promptly went online to check several definitions. But as Ruby discovered, most betting terms are not found in your friendly neighborhood dictionary. The author did, however, have wonderful descriptions. Las Vegas was so vividly described I could almost feel the seediness and desperate feelings emanating from the pages. The characters, especially Nana Sue, were definitely not your run-of-the-mill people. They had actual personalities, with all the weird little quirks and idiosyncrasies. I believe that with time, the author will improve all other aspects of her stories. So check out Ruby Tuesday and keep an eye on Jennifer Anne Kogler! ... Read more

Book Description

You may think you know this story I am going to tell you, but you have not heard it for true. I was there. So I will tell you the truth of it. Here. Now. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

I like it because the pictures and the writing are great
I am giving the book Cendrillon 5 stars because there are words in French, there are excellent pictures, and San Souci has a very good way at making the story make sense.

I liked that they put in French words because it tells the reader that the people in the story speak French.

The author, Robert D. San Souci, is excellent at writing. I have read more of his books and they are all great.

The illustrater, Brian Pinkney, has a great way of making the pictures stand out. Pinkney has a nice way of drawing the outlines of things. You can almost see things jumping out of the pages. You can see he mixes in colors, so he gets the colors he wants.

The book is great.

Kudos!
This is a wonderfully rich retelling of the traditional French Cinderella story, set in the Caribbean. As a school librarian I've shared this title with students to compare it to the traditional version. They love it! The pronunciation guide in the back is most helpful. The story is unique because it is from the point of view of the spunky godmother. Pinkney's scratchboard illustrations are perfect!

We liked this story because some words were in French.
We rated it number four because we liked the drawings. We thought the drawings brought out the book. We thought the illustrations were very colorfuland very interesting because it was by the Carrabien Sea. We, also, liked it because some words were in French. There should not have been servants in the story. We thought it was like the other Cinderella stories. The author should have changed it a little bit. We suggest younger school aged pupils would enjoy this book better that upper elementary pupils. We have enjoyed reading this book a lot. By : The Four Recess Lovers*

We rated it a two because we did not understand it.
The story is about a lovely girl whose mother dies and her father remarries a evil lady. Her father worked alot and her stepmother made her do all of the work. All the girls in the town got invited to a ball that the Prince was having. There he would pick one lady to be his bride. The housekeeper of the house had a magic wand that her mother had given her. She uses the wand so that Cendrillion can go to the ball. She and the housekeeper got to go to the ball, but they had to be back at 12:00pm. They got sidetrack and the 12:00pm clock rang.Then they ran home but the Prince found that she had lost her shoe. He looks all over town. Then he goes to a house which is Cendrillion's house. Then her evil stepsisters tries to fit the shoe on their big feet,but the shoe wouldn't fit their big feet. Then her mother tried the shoe on, but it would not fit her foot either. Then Cendrillion tried it on and it fits her just fine. Then ,the Prince and her got married,and they lived happily ever after in the Prince's big catle with all their riches.

We rated it a 4 because it had good pictures and a plot.
There was once a girl and her god mother and they worked for the girls step mother. Her step mother was really mean. Her step mother was very mean. The step mother didn't want Cendrillion to go the ball. The washer woman turns into a fairy god mother, and sends Cendrillion to the ball. She looks as a princess would look when she went to the ball. She had a very nice dress. She road in very fancy carriage. She danced all night until twelve o'clock. She was leaving and lost one of her slippers. The prince goes through out the town looking all over for his bride to be. He tries to find out which foot fits the slipper. Her step sister tries the slipper on. The god mother says "It would only fit you if you cut off your toes". The god mother ran all the way upstairs to find Cendrillion. She found her in her room, and dragged her down the stairs. She went and saw her beloved the prince. The prince asked her to try on the beautiful slipper. She said yes. It was a perfect fit! Then they asked to get married. They got married at the princes kingdom. They had a party after the wedding. They lived happily ever after!We suggest this book to people who like fairy tales.

By:The Snowboarder Kids ... Read more

Book Description

When he was born in 1879, Albert was a peculiarly fat baby with an unusually big and misshaped head. When he was older, he hit his sister, frustrated his teachers, and had few friends. But Albert"s strange childhood also included his brilliant capacity for puzzles and problem solving: the mystery of a compass"s swirling needle, the intricacies of Mozart"s music, the secrets of geometry—set his mind spinning with ideas. In fact, Albert Einstein"s ideas were destined to change the way we know and understand the world and our place in the universe. In spare, precise text filled with graceful detail and accompanied by sometimes humorous, sometimes lonely portraits, Don Brown introduces us to the less than magnificent beginnings of an odd boy out. The result is a tender rendering of the adventures of growing up for one of the most important thinkers of the twentieth century. ... Read more

Book Description

Can a fish talk? Can it jump and play and run -- especially run -- just like a small boy? When Lakas and his dad go shopping, they meet a very special fish that can do all these things and more! But this fish won't stay put in its fish tank. Once it leaps out, a cast of unusual Manilatown characters chases it down Kearny Street and all the way to San Francisco Bay. Hoy, hoy! Will Lakas and his friends ever catch this sly and charming fish? Lakas and the Manilatown Fish/Si Lakas at ang Isdang Manilatown is the first-ever bilingual English-Tagalog story set in the U.S., reflecting the historical heart of the Filipino community. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

HO, HOY!!! FUN, VIBRANT STORY!
WOW! Did you know that Filipino fish could KISS??? Muuuuua! My nieces are in love with this bilingual (Filipino/English) story. It takes them through Manilatown following a singing fish. The illustrations are vibrant and alive. Makes you want to go out and find a kissing fish!

We own almost every book by Children's Book Press. They suddenly jumped from storytales to FUN books. Another bilingual (Spanish/English) book that I highly recommend from this press that just came out is DRUM, CHAVI, DRUM!/TOCA, CHAVI, TOCA! The little girl character is feisty and funny. It is set in Little Havana's Calle Ocho Festival. I commend Children's Book Press for being the first to publish books that are the first of their kind. An applause for this outstanding filipino book! ... Read more

Book Description

Dick King-Smith, beloved author of Babe: The Gallant Pig,returns with a

witty and touching tale about the different shapes and sizes a family can take.

When Archibald Peregrine Edmund Spring-Russell (Ape, for short) finds himself

living alone for the first time in his life, he's finally free to do exactly as

he pleases. And nothing pleases this wealthy old English gentleman with an

enormous estate and a Rolls-Royce more than buying twelve big, beautiful brown

hens to keep in the living room. But Ape doesn't stop there. Soon there are

rabbits and guinea pigs in the dining room, canaries in the music room, a noisy

talking parrot in the kitchen, and a puppy who seems to be everywhere! Just

when Ape's house is about to burst with little beasties, Joe and Jake--father

and son Gypsies--lend a helping hand. But it takes a household disaster for Ape

to realize he finally has the family he never had. With trademark Dick

King-Smith humor, short chapters, and large type, this easy-to-read story is

perfect for independent readers.




... Read more

Reviews (4)

Remarkable !!!
Mr. Ape is an eccentric man.His wife has left him and dismissed all his servants.Although most people would be sad that their wife would leave them after 30 years of marriage,Mr. Ape was delighted at the idea that his wife was leaving him as she was very bossy.Apparently,Mr. Ape is very fond of animals and bought 12 hens.Gypsies named Jake and his father Joe are living quite near his place.Jake's donkey was roaming near Mr. Ape's compound so Jake arrived at Mr. Ape's house.That's how they got acquainted.Later,Mr. Ape bought some rabbits and guinea pigs.Wow! That's a lot.I bet he's crazy.Then he gets even more crazy-rearing canaries,a puppy,a foal and lastly a talking parrot who is good at immitating voices.I like the parts that the parrot immitated Mr. Ape's voice as it will trick Jake and Joe.So humourus!! Mr. Ape's pets soon increases as they will breed.So,he decides to have a pet sale.A lot of letters keep pouring into his house.Soon,he has a few pets.But when Mr. Ape's house is accidentally burned,everyone accuses Jake and Joe.Luckily,the animals were saved.Now it's up to Mr. Ape-is he going to follow the gypsies,Jake and Joe or will he stay? Read this book and you'll find out.This is a truly amazing book.It really touched my heart.

A really good book
Mr Ape is a fab book. If you can get your hands on it, I'd read it. I haven't read many of Dick King-Smith's stories, but this is probably one of the best books I've ever read. I love animals. I have a rat of my own, and my sister has a cat. Anyone who loves animals, like me, READ IT!

Thisbookisareallyexciting.
Thisbookisrealisticfiction.Itisabouttwopeoplewhohelp eachother.Onascalefrom1to10Iwouldgive10.Ifyoulikehumoousstoriesyouwilllikethisbook.

King-Smith has done it again!
This book is soooooooooooo great! Dick King-Smith is my fave author. In this book Mr. Ape meets a family of gypsies and uses his giant house to keep many animals. When his house catches on fire everything he owns, hispets included, are in great danger. What will happen???Read this book tofind out the rest of this story. Karen ... Read more

Book Description

In this special Passover story, Larnel Moore, ayoung African-American boy, and Mrs. Katz, anelderly Jewish woman, develop an unusual friendshipthrough their mutual concern for an abandoned catnamed Tush. Together they explore the common themesof suffering and triumph in each of their cultures. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

A wonderful story, even if the illos have some bloopers...
This is the story of a loving friendship between an elderly Jewish lady from Poland named Mrs. Katz, and an African-American child named Larnel. Mrs. Katz lives alone in her apartment and doesn't have anyone to visit her. (It's not stated in the book, but, since this appears to be a predominantly African-American inner city neighborhood, one wonders if she was left behind by the Jewish community when the more affluent members moved to the suburbs? In real life it has happened...) Larnel's mother stops by to visit her every other day or so, and brings Larnel with her.

One day, Larnel gets the idea to give Mrs. Katz a kitten from the litter that was born in the basement of his apartment building. (Get the pun -- Katz/cats? Actually, the name "Katz" has nothing to do with "cats," but it's cute anyway.) Mrs. Katz names the kitten Tush, which is Yiddish for "bottom," because it has no tail. Larnel agrees to help her care for Tush, and from this sharing, a lifelong friendship grows.

The story is well-written, the characters are well-developed and "real." The illustrations are vibrant, beautifully done, and ethnically accurate. Well, almost. There are a couple Jewish bloopers. For one thing, the menorah sitting by Mrs. Katz's window only has seven branches. A Hanukkah menorah has nine -- eight for the eight days plus an extra for the "servant" candle. The seven-branched menorah mentioned in the Bible was specifically for the Jerusalem Temple, and is not usually found in the home. Since Hanukkah was mentioned in the story, I have to assume that this was supposed to be a Hanukkah menorah.

The second blooper is the scene in the bakery. Mrs. Katz is shopping for PASSOVER -- a time when no leaven is to be found anywhere in a Jewish home. It is not just a matter of eating matzoh. The entire house is cleaned of anything even resembling leaven, and even owning leavened products is forbidden. That being the case, why is she shopping for her Passover feast in a bakery, of all places? She is clearly pointing at a cake or some rolls, and these would NOT be served on Passover! So nu, maybe she's a Reform Jew and not so strict? But in that case, why is that very Hasidic-looking gentleman in the corner shopping there? Surely HE would not serve bread for Passover! (...)

These are relatively minor quibbles, given the overall good quality of the book. But when it comes to children's books, I insist on total accuracy with regard to Judaism, because these are the images that will stick in the mind for years to come. Granted, this is not a "Jewish" book per se, it's a multicultural book -- which is all the more reason to pay more attention to the Jewish details, lest the reader(s) be misled. For the bloopers I'm docking it a star, but it's still a great story and I highly recommend it to both Jews and gentiles.

Diversity in its finest
Ms. Katz and Tush is an excellent choice for educators and parents to use when explaining diversity.
In the book, a young boy is introduced to an elderly jewish woman through his mother. The boy develops a bond with the elderly lady, and the two are friends forever.
This book enables children to develop an understanding about life in different cultures. It shows them that different is good and you can learn a lot from someone of a different culture.

How to be a mensch
I have read this schmaltzy tale of friendship bridging two cultures dozens of times. Not once have I finished it with dry eyes. This is the stuff that dreams are made of.

Mrs. Katz, a widowed old woman befriended Larnel Moore, a young boy. She gifted him with Yiddishisms-and good cooking. "Kugel! Such a kugel I baked for you today." She also gave a heart as warm as the sweater she knitted for him.

In turn, Larnel also performed many mitzvot (good deeds). Mrs. Katz needed a friend. He became that friend. He gave her a cat, too, for when he couldn't be there. Mrs. Katz took the kitty, who reminded her of her Myron, who was ugly as a child, too, "but such a person!" She named the kitty Tush, Yiddish for 'behind,' because she had no tail. When the cat escaped through an open window, Larnel did everything to find her. His everything included prayers.

Larnel became a grandchild to Mrs. Katz, and she his grandmother. Everything else is commentary.

Each child enriched by this joyous tale of sharing and kindness will come that much closer to being a mensch (a good person). Such a person! Alyssa A. Lappen

Perfect Polacco
As with many of Patricia Polacco's books, Mrs. Katz & Tush starts with a friendship, adds a simple story line, seasons it with an understanding look at a particular culture or two, adds a dash of humour, and ties it all together with illustrations that enrich the story (other examples, among many: Babushka Baba Yaga, Just Plain Fancy and Chicken Sunday).

In this story the lives of two very different neighbors are drawn together through a small, tail-less kitten named Tush (the name itself brings giggles to the 4 year old set). Larnel, dragged along by his mother to visit an elderly widowed neighbor (and the picture of him in his chair shows you all that you need to know about how he feels about being there!) surprises himself by feeling compassion for lonely Mrs. Katz. He brings her the runt of a litter of kittens, saying that nobody else wants it. Mrs. Katz reluctantly accepts the kitten, on the condition that Larnel will help her learn how to care for it. He agrees, and a life-long friendship is begun.

There are so many great parts to this book- the growing understanding about the things that we have in common, no matter how disparate our backgrounds, messages on ethnicity, on generational relationships, and so on- that you could get the idea that this is a 'good-for-you' book. But at it's heart Mrs. Katz & Tush is the work of a master storyteller and illustrator, and is a story that the children ask for again & again & again. Ours are still savouring it after 3 years, and show no signs of growing weary of it. The illustrations- especially some of the expressions- are some of Polacco's best efforts. Don't miss this one!

Such a Person!
That is Mrs. Katz' highest praise for the little kitten that a young African American neighbor has brought her to keep her company after her husband dies. And so begins a lifetime of love, loyalty and devotion between two families that are as different as can be, and yet, surprisingly alike. Growing up in a culturally diverse neighborhood like the one that Mrs. Katz and Larnel shared, it was a joy to see Patricia Polacco's warm illustrations, and to hear the familiar rhythms and cadences of the dialogue.

It is indeed a magical book, with a story that transcends cultural differences and generational conflict. Each character is defined by their relationship to the other, and at the end we see the beautiful changes that can grow from love and affection.

I hope that you can enjoy reading this book with children you love, it is a most rewarding and pleasurable experience. ... Read more

Book Description

Sparkling new illustrations refresh this Thanksgiving classic based on the true experience of a member of Barbara Cohen's family. The touching story tells how recent immigrant Molly leads her third-grade class to discover that it takes all kinds of pilgrims to make a Thanksgiving. Originally published in 1983, Molly's Pilgrim inspired the 1986 Academy Award winning live-action short film. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

The wonderful book that brought me down low
Ladies and gentlemen, I come before you today with a confession. I, knowingly and without malice, am a wimp. I am a wimp of the finest pedigree, forged in the wimpy steps of my wimpy forebears. This loathsome quality only cares to show itself in the oddest of moments. Normally, I feel relatively safe reading children's books and, especially, picture books. Certainly the protagonists in these tales have their trials and tribulations to endure, but they usually do so with relative good faith and their enemies are by and large trampled soundly at the end of their tales. Usually. Then there are books like, "Molly's Pilgrim". Ladies and gentlemen, if your child can read through this book in its entirety without feeling overwhelmed by a sense of misery and woe then they're a stronger man or woman than I.

In this classic tale, a little girl named Molly is having problems at school. Her classmates tease her relentlessly, usually making fun of her funny accent and supposed un-American ways. Molly, you see, immigrated to this country with her mother and father from Russia. Jewish in faith, they originally lived in New York City, but now Molly's father has found steady employment in Winter Hill. Here, Molly is the only Jewish girl around, and she suffers mightily at the hands of the other girls. One day, Molly's teacher, Miss Stickley, decides that the class is going to do something a little different for Thanksgiving this year. Each child will design a pilgrim or an Indian for a little diorama and present it to the class. Molly is assigned a pilgrim, and she eagerly tells the assignment to her mama. Her mother, however, listens to the description of what a pilgrim is (someone seeking religious freedom and a life free from persecution) and creates a doll that is a small Russian immigrant. Of course, the other kids at school deride this idea of a pilgrim, until Miss Stickley explains that Molly's doll is perhaps the most appropriate of all. After all, the very idea of Thanksgiving is based on the Jewish harvest holiday of Tabernacles, and unlike any other student in the room, Molly is the real pilgrim.

I have absolutely no problems with this story. I mean, how can you not like it? And how many adults, if you stopped them on the street today, would be able to tell you what Jewish holiday the pilgrims, that came to our land, based Thanksgiving on? Few, I suspect. Molly is an incredibly sympathetic character, and that's probably where my own problems stem from. After all, there's a significant lack of comeuppance in this tale. Molly suffers relentless teasing and problems from other children her age, but that's never really resolved. The evil Elizabeth is never reprimanded for her actions, nor even made to think twice about treating Molly like a human being. Instead, she's nasty from page one until the end and stays that way. Which, honestly, was probably the best way to go. I mean, vengeance doesn't really have a place in children's picture books, does it? But how hard would it have been for Elizabeth to get what's coming to her? Even a little?

What I had a hard time with in this story was Molly's pain. Barbara Cohen describes it beautifully, and we've plenty of gorgeous illustrations by Michael J. Deraney (if that's the version you're purchasing) showing Molly huddled in misery on a swing, running with tears in her eyes from the girls, crying on her Mama's chest, dreading entering her school building, and miserably hiding her doll when other children mock it. It's a lovely book, but distinctly and incredibly painful for me and, I suspect, for certain types of children. For some, however, this book will be a kind of balm. They will see that they are not alone in being teased by other kids, and that Molly suffers just as they suffer.

The story is excellent. The illustrations superb. The moral, unequivocal. If you would like an excellent tale to tell around the Thanksgiving season, you really couldn't find one better. Just be aware of what you're getting yourself into ahead of time. It's a great book, but for some people a distinctly depressing one.

A New Meaning of Thanksgiving
Molly's Pilgrim is an excellent story of the true meaning of Thanksgiving. Molly has just moved to America from Russia, and is not enjoying it one bit. Kids in her third grade class make fun of her all the time because of her clothes and accent. She can't stand it, especially her worst enemy, Elizabeth. When Molly's class starts a project on Thanksgiving, they are told to make a doll. When Molly tells her mother this, her mother makes a doll for her, and the doll looks exactly the way her mother did when she was a girl. Her mother tells her that the Pilgrims fled England because they wanted to practice their religion freely, this is exactly what Molly's parents did, making them Pilgrims. That day, Molly takes it to school, but it looks very different from everyone else's. The children make fun of her, but they have a very big lesson to learn; the true meaning of Thanksgiving. Anyone will enjoy this story, old or young, because many can relate to it.

The spirit of Thanksgiving is always with us.
The only negative thing I can think of to say about this book is that when I read it aloud, I have a very hard time not crying. It is a short and simple story (longer than a picture book, but an adult can read it aloud in one sitting, and most second or third graders could read it to themselves), but one of the most moving children's books I know of.

Molly is a turn of the century Jewish immigrant girl from Russia. She lives in a small town, where no one understands her, and other children make fun of her clothes, and accent and her ignorance of American customs. In November, her classmates are appalled that she has never heard of Thanksgiving. But as we get to know Molly better, we, and eventually her classmates, realize that this child, who left her country and moved to America so that she and her family could practice their religion without fear is no different from the first pilgrims.

By the time they reach second or third grade, most children have heard the story of the first Thanksgiving many, many times. This is a wonderful way to renew the meaning of the story for them, by reminding them that people are still coming to American for the same reasons they came hundreds of years ago.

Molly's Pilgrim
Mrs. Stickly asks the class to make a pilgrim for Thanksgiving. Molly's mother makes one that looks like her. Mollys Pilgrim is a great book! At the end Molly understands that being different isn't bad. by Barbara Cohen

This is my favriot book it is the best book I have ever read
Molly's Pilgrim is really cool. This book is about a little girl, her mom and her dad. They can't speak english very well. When Molly goes to school she gets picked on alot. There is this one girl her name is Elizabeth and she picks on Molly the most. Elizabeth made up this song about Molly. I can't remember how it goes or I would type it in but I can't remember it. The teacher gives the class an assighnment. The boys have to make Indians and the girls have to make pilgrims. When Molly went home after school she told her mom about her school assighnment.Then Molly eats dinner, then she trys to think about some stuff to do for her assighnment but she can't thind of anything. It is already late so she just goes to bed. The next morning she wakes up and she goes to the breakfast table and at her spot is a pilgrim all nicely dressed and made just perfect. Then she asks her mom what it is and her mom tells her that it is her homework to turn into the teacher. Then Molly gets mad and starts yelling at her mom. Her dad told her she had better stop or she was going to get in big trouble. So then she stoped yelling at her mom but Molly was still mad at her mom.Then Molly eats breakfast and goes to school. Then when she gets to school Elizabeth asks her if she did her homework and she says, "yes." Then Elizabeth says then let me see it. Molly said no. Then Elizabeth says, "See I knew you didn't do it or you would show me." Molly had put it in her desk and then when the teacher came she went around the room to look at everyone's homework. When she got to Molly she showed the teacher and all the oter kids started laghing at Molly's homework. The teacher said it was the best one so she put it on her desk.

I reallly enjoyed reading this book it was alot of fun to read. Sometimes when I read it I fill like I am one of the charectors.I fill like I am one of the charectors in all the book it is like real life. I really loved this book. Well I hope you enjoy readind this book too. Thenk you for reading my review.My name is Michelle I am 10 years old. I will turn 11 very soon. I live in Texas. Oce again thank you for reading my book review. By and Thank you once again.

Molly's Pilgrim ... Read more

Reviews (3)

The strength of prayer
The bond of grandson and grandfather in this handsome and heart-warming tale about a Tallit is indeed good for people of all ages and all faiths--girls and women, boys and men. It tells of the undying human urge for freedom and fulfillment and reinforces the importance of prayer, and the strength of tradition and family. Alyssa A. Lappen

A Bar Mitzvah Gift
I got this as a pre Bar Mitzvah gift and at first I thought it wasn't what I wanted because I figured it was for younger kids but when I read it I felt it was for everybody, even people who aren't Jewish. It was a story about a person's whole life and how they change which was pretty neat to think about especially when you are having a bar mitzvah. My grandmother gave it to me because she said it was like her dad's life. It is sort of getting me ready for my bar mitzvah to think about the importance of tradition in your life

A moving celebration of famiy and religious tradition
This is a beautiful, moving story that was a gift for our son on his bris. (It moved me to tears when I first read it.) Exquisitely illustrated and well-told, the story celebrates values, tradition, and intergenerational relationships. It will be a great conversation starter with our son, when he is older, about our own family history. It would make a great gift for a bar mitzvah or any occasion. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

A Solid Piece of Work
Sixteen-year-old Margaret Rose Nolan learns about life in America the hard way. As an Irish immigrant to the U.S. in 1911, she doesn't expect the series of complications that leaves her and her sister alone and fending for themselves in New York City. But little by little, "Rose" (as she calls herself in America) finds that she is managing in this new life. She has a job at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory and is beginning to find friends. Yet will she feel that she still wants to be in America after the tragedy that is soon to befall her?

Auch generally handled her topic and her character with skill. Although I am an avid historical fiction reader who has definitely heard similar stories of immigration and settling in America, good writing and pacing kept this one from seeming "deja vu." Rose and her sister will prove interesting especially to girls who read this novel, since it is fascinating to put yourself in the spirited Rose's "shoes" and see history though her eyes.

And indeed, Rose's spirit carries the novel as well. The first person narrative showcases her steely intelligence and resourcefulness, and her quick thinking and determination make her a suitable heroine. Although I found the author's habit of dropping Gs on words like "walking" (to imitate the Irish accent) a bit annoying, little can detract from the strength of this main character.

Finally, the development of the Triangle Shirtwaist fire in the story line was excellent. The author had obviously researched the topic thoroughly, since she described it (of course through Rose's eyes) with a breathtakingly complete but natural narrative. Also fascinating were the many "hard to find" facts about this fire that were seamlessly revealed throughout the book's final chapters.

My only real complaint with this novel was the fact that it seemed to end a little too abruptly. Following the fire, I would have really liked to seem more of what happened to Rose, instead of just finding the end of the novel! Did she become successful in America? Marry? Have children? I felt disappointed to "meet" this strong character and see such a small portion of her life.

In short, "Ashes of Roses" is a skillfully done book with interesting history and a well-drawn character. Especially recommended for upper-elementary/middle school girls.

A Moving Depiction
Rose wants to stay in New York after arriving as an immigrant from Ireland, but she finds that it is much easier for a man to make the riches promised in America than it is for a woman. She ends up working in a sweatshop where the owner tries to take advantage of her. She leaves there and finally ends up getting a job at the Triangle Shirtwaist Company where she believes she has finally found a place where she can build a life for her and her sister. But tragedy will soon tear her new safe world apart.
Auch pulls you into the world of 1911 and creates an atmosphere that allows the reader to feel the desparation that accompanied the fight for women's rights in the workforce. The characters come alive and when many are lost in the Triangle shirtwaist company fire you grieve for them along with Rose. Ashes of Roses is a poignant book that will move the reader to a new, deeper understanding of the struggle for rights and the horror of the fire that took the lives of over 150 people in the Triangle Company fire in New York.

A Great Book
Ashes of Roses Book Report

By Dylan Schrode

Imagine being in New York in the eighteenth century, with no parents, friends and barely any free time. The alleys are filled with hatred towards immigrants, and nobody recognizes you as an American, just an Irish maggot. From morning to night, you spend your whole day working in a factory for low payments, and then you come home late only to eat a bit of food and get a few hours of sleep before going back to work. Does it seem possible for someone to live like this, as young as age 16?
This horrible setting was very common for immigrants coming to America in the nineteenth century. Rose Nolan, the main character of Ashes of Roses, and her sister Maureen have a little, cramped room to sleep, limited amounts of food, a family across the ocean who they haven't written to, and no friends except their friend, Gussela, when they are in America, while many of us take for granted how we have access to lots of food, a good-sized house, a loving family and friends who care about you.
The setting takes place in New York, where Rose, Maureen and their whole family had originally lived Limerick, Ireland and decided to come to America to seek a better life. While in the customs line, the youngest child of age 3, Joseph, was told that he couldn't make the voyage to America due to trachoma, an ear infection that was real common back then. Roses father, who is referred to as "Da", decides to stay in Ireland with Joseph while Rose, her mom and two sisters, Bridget and Maureen go to America. They stayed with their Uncle Patrick and his family for a couple of months, only to find trouble with Patrick's wife and kids. After moving out of Patrick's house, the Nolan family faces a tough decision, which is leaving America, or staying. In the end, Roses mom and sister Bridget voyage back to Limerick.
The story provides the reader with many twists and turns when Rose meets a Jewish girl named Gussela and her father. Gussela takes Rose and Maureen in and provides them with a job. The story throws another curve in when tragedy strikes Rose and Gussela, and Rose is faced with another decision.
This story has many morals, one of them being to stay strong with your heritage and to hold on to your beliefs even if you are being persecuted or made fun of because your heritage. Rose remains loyal to faith and church despite numerous comments, including people calling her "greenie" and "maggot". Another moral is that even though times are tough, you should be fortunate to be alive because accidents happen, and you should be prepared for the worse. I'm not going to tell an accident in the story because I don't want to give the ending away.
All in all, Rose overcomes many challenges in America and meets a good friend to help her realize her destiny and teach her how to prosper in America. Ashes of Roses is a book on courage, love, friendship, religion and loyalty, which are all important aspects of life. Even though this story is set in an early timeframe, religious hatred and other themes of this book still exist in today's society. This book is a great story, and an insightful way to understand how religion and courage can lead a person to happiness and success, despite all odds.

Good REad
The narrative was first-person, full of personality, and really "made" the book. It kept my interest. The solution was different from other books I've read about that time. And Rose is a likable character, a strong Irish woman-girl--more or less. I like her out-spokeness, adds a lot of character.

Excellent Read
I chose this book for my American Cultures project, and I thought it would be a pretty bland book. Turns out that it was very good book that gives a lot of facts, but everything is woven together so one does not tire of reading this book easily. I would recommend this to anyone wanting to learn a little bit more on the building of America all in a fairly easy read. ... Read more

Reviews (55)

Dreams in the Golden Country
I have read all the Dear America books and Dreams in the Golden Country was one of the ones I enjoyed the most. Zippy Feldman and her family are immigrating to America. They arrive in New York and Zippy is feeling quite homesick. She wishes to learn to read and speak English, and starts school and soon is at the top of her class. She also takes quite an intrest in the Jewish theatre in New York. When her sister elopes with a Catholic boy Zippy's family doesn't approve of, Zippy finds herself torn. Will she ever see her sister again? Will she ever get a part in a play? And can she find her place in America? Read this good book to find out.

Excellent!
Zipporah is another excellent Dear America book. Zippy, 12 years old, has just arrived at Ellis Island from Russia, where the pogroms (attacks on the Jews) chased them away. Traveling with her mother, her sisters, Miriam (15), and Tovah (17) her family goes to meet her Father who has been in America for 2 years. There they find a small tenement room. Everyone is disapointed. Zippy's mother is worried about her father loosing his Jewish faith. Zippy gets put in an early grade because she isn't very talented in English, but she moves up. Zippy learns about things and writes letters to the famous Marie Curie and Wright Brothers (never gets a reply back). Then she sees the theater and knows acting will forever control her destiny. Filled with hardships and triumphs, Zippy's diary is one of the best. It really isn't very exciting with a lot of stuff happening, but the emotional factor is so great and really makes me think. I was also happy that Zippy had the same birthday as me.

outstanding book
I found this book to be outstanding, especially in terms of the historical glimpses that were inadvertently revealed throughout, in bittersweet fashion, from the innocent perspective of a little Jewish girl Zipporah who, with her mother and 2 sisters, came to America by ship in 1903. Right from the start, the book catches the reader with her harrowing experience of nearly getting rejected at the port of entry on Ellis Island due to a suspected eye infection. The story continues on to the dark (both physically and moodwise) tenements of the Lower East Side of New York city where the Jewish community faces a daily struggle to survive. Through family unity and neighbors helping neighbors, Zipporah and her family was able to, not only to survive, but eventually flourish into self sufficiency. Along the way though, there were much heartwrenching sadness like the deaths of loved ones and the eloping of Zipporah's sister due to undue disapproval from her family. Even though the ending was happy, I felt a lump in my throat as I neared the end of the book, for I felt I was a part of this wonderful family, and I didn't want to leave!

For those of you out there who love family, history, nostalgia, and culture, this book is for you. For those who is seeking action pack adventure, romance, or thrills, try another book. This book gets 5 stars out of 5 from me.

Blessings! TLam

Has got to be one of my favorite Dear America books
12 year-old Zipporah (Zippy) Feldman is immigrating to America from Poland to join her father in New York. With her is her mother and her sisters Tovah and Miriam. Zippy is nearly detained at Ellis Island because of a red eye, but thanks to Tovah she gets safely through.
But America is nothing like she imagined, and she has many troubles. She is in 3rd grade at school, her parents fight on occasion, and Zippy' best friend Blu is sadly lagging behind in school.
Zippy finds that the theatre is the thing that she loves. But terrible things happen just days after Zippy gets her dream part in a play. Her new baby brother dies just days after he was born, and Miriam runs off and gets married to a non-Jew named Sean O'Malley. Will Miriam ever return, and will Zippy ever become the actress of her dreams? Find out in this wonderful book!

This has got to be one of my favorite Dear America books of all time. It's so well written, and there are absolutely no boring parts at all! I guess one of the reasons I love this book so much is because both Zippy and I are so alike, especially in loving to act.
I promise you, if you read this book, you will not be sorry. The only mistake you could make is not buying this book.

My Secret Diary
In the beginning of my book, The Golden Country, it starts with a Yiddish family whose father and husband is working in the u.s. for many years. When the come he has changed which starts the real story. They are a Jewish family and the husband and father has shaved his side locks. Her mother is really mad. They have a lot of problems here are some: they can't speak English and if any not much, they are really poor, father has stopped playing his music and a lot more! In the middle things start to shape up. The girl who rights it has been going to school. Miriam, her sister, is in love with a non Jewish boy and no one knows. Her other sister, Trovan, starts to march for women's rights. Her father is now a musician, and very good. But something else happens. Her sister Miriam has now ran off and is now missing. But the girl who rights it knows where she is. She went a married her "boyfriend" who is non Jewish. Now the end is very good a lot of things become right!

I really liked this book for it showed how it really was, and is from someone who had no say in anything. She tells about how life is in America. And how it might be, in modern days, for many people. She tells her life in this book. How it was a culture shock how people where happy and sad. How it shapes over years and how much better it becomes.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in different cultures and life in many ways. Other books I would say would that are good are the diary collections.

It was a very good book and I encourage you to read it!!! ... Read more

Amazon.com

In this intriguing story that will appeal to younger teens, a boy goeson a journey in search of his roots. Zack is the son of an unlikely but happy marriage: his mother is a black blues singer and his father is a white Jewish college professor. Zack is resentful and bitter toward his parents for moving--in his last year of high school--from Toronto to a small college town in the country. He misses the excitement of the city, and things are rough at school, where he meets racial rejection for the first time in his life. Zack is comfortable with his Jewish heritage through his paternal grandparents, but his mother has without explanation cut off all contact with her relatives in Mississippi, so he knows nothing about his own black history. When he finds an old chest buried in the back yard and discovers that it belonged to a freed slave, his interest in exploring his African American background is piqued. While his parents are on a trip, he commandeers the family truck and drives to Mississippi to meet his grandfather. There Zack discovers a part of himself that he never knew, but healso must face the bitter understanding that racism can be a double-edged sword. (Ages 10 to 14)--Patty Campbell ... Read more

Reviews (4)

history, family conflict, and racism
William Bell has written an excellent book that is a good introduction to racism and family conflict. His ability to weave historical events into his stories is sure to pique the interest of young teens. Bell's message is that history is about people, rather than just dates and facts. It doesn't have to be boring.

interesting
Zack is the story of a biracial guy by the name of Zack, For a school project he decide to go to the south to find his black grandfather, who his mother hasen't been in touch with since her marriage of Zach's white Jewish father. When Zach find's his grandfather he realize why he and his mother hasn't been in contact. I felt there was something missing, and that more research should have been done.

A Persoanl Connection
I have a personal connection to the story of Richard Pierpoint, having grown up where Zack's fictional farm is located. I was very interested to read William Bell's book. I found the story to be well constructed with regards to Zack's new life in rural Ontario, his discovery of Pierpoint's story and his family connection to Mississippi. The story flows well and the use of language is very natural. The description of small Ontario definitely rings true. I think that many people (especially teenagers) would find it of interest. My personal interest in Pierpoint has led to a book that will be beneficial to those readers who want to know more about this remarkable man. It is called "A Stolen Life: Searching for Richard Pierpoint" and is published by Natural Heritage.

Fantastic book for young adults searching for their roots!
Zack is a teen who feels connected to his Father's Romanian Jewish heritage, but confused about "the family mystery." That is, his black mother never discusses her family background or why Zack has never met or learned about her side of the family. He searches out his black roots after tracing the history of an African slave whose personal items he dug up on their Canadian property. The book touches upon issues of racial identity, prejudice, family secrets and the damage that unresolved issues can cause. Zach is comfortable with himself and his parents which was refreshing to me, as many biracial kids are represented as being bitter and confused. I bought this book as part of my own research into what it will be like raising a biracial daughter. I gained some insight into what I could do to encourage her self-esteem and pride. I was also impressed with the literary quality of Bell's work. I believe this is a must-read for not only biracial teens, but their parents, teachers and classmates. ... Read more

Book Description

When Luba helps a frightened wren, it promises to grant all of her wishes. "I am content, I have no wish," Luba says-at first. Then Luba's parents convince her to ask for a bigger house. After that, they want an estate, and later, they ask for a palace. With the granting of each wish Luba hopes her parents will be satisfied, but instead they only want more. Where will it end? This Russian version of The Fisherman and His Wife masterfully illustrates the rewards of simplicity and the dangers of greed.

"Polacco's freely brushed watercolors are bright with decorative borders, richly patterned clothing, and exotic onion domes." (Booklist) ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A wonderful version of a classic tale
Polacco's book is a time honored theme, this retelling from the Ukraine. When Luba saves the Wren's life her parents insist she return to ask for a favor. The parents never seem to be satisfied and send Luba back time and time again. In the end the parents are returned to the happy couple they were when they started.This book can be successfully compared with any of the many available versions of the Fisherman and His Wife but also contains elements from The Stonecutter -- another tale available in several versions. Sometimes those with seemingly little power/wealth think other situations would make them a different person or happier. And when they do obtain power their humility is lost. Satisfaction seldom comes when one has not earned that power or wealth. Polacco's wonderously beautiful watercolors brings this theme into the full vision of readers. A delightfully new twist on a classic tale. ... Read more

Book Description

A collection of folk tales from the southern Appalachians that center on a single character, the irrepressible Jack. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Great camp fire stories
When we go camping we look for the best book to read during our campfires, one that makes you laugh and think...the stories written with accents that Dad (me) can do, like southern drwals and mountain slang, or foreign accents are the best, this one met that criteria with the mountain way of talken...we were in stiches the whole book, we were even told by other campers who over heard us, that they also enjoyed the stories. We checked this book out from the library, but I will get a copy to keep, it will be read over and over again.

Childhood memories that stand the test of time
My mother, who was from North Carolina with relatives in the Appalachians, read The Jack Tales to my brother and me before we started reading for ourselves.She got really tired of doing so, because we'd ask for themover and over.Fairy tales are the deep learning of childhood, and to hearthese stories written the same way our older relatives spoke was wondrous. The stories themselves are a celebration of Jack the hero and Jack theTrickster, told with plenty of humour to keep things interesting and in avoice both authentically American and of universal appeal.I'm delightedto be able to get my hands on a copy - this is a book well worth readingand preserving for the next generation of avid readers.

that jack can spin some yarns.
I found this book in the library of my elementary school around 1965. After I married and had children I had to have a copy of this book for them. They enjoyed Jack's adventures as much as I did. I'm going to purchase several more copies and I plan to keep one for myself and giveothers away. Read these tales yourself and you will want to do the same.

Great book .Children will sit and listen to it being read.
I first heard the Jack Tales when I was in the fourth grade back in the 1960's.Our teacher would read us a chapter once a week.I had to look good and hard to find a copy for my daughters they have enjoyed hearingabout Jack.

GREAT stories
Stories from this book were read to my 2nd grade class back in the late 70's by one of my favorite teachers.Several years ago I tried to locate a copy for my young nephew, but to no avail.Now that I have discovered it through amazon.com, I'll probably buy several copies.These are great stories, and are part of my fondest memories of my early school years. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Beautiful, Heart-Warming Story (Not Only For Kids....)
Pablo wants to bring from his parents' bakery something that reflects his culture. But Pablo is confronted in a dilemma: Should he bring a Mexican treat, which reflects his mother's culture or a Jewish, pastry that reflects dad's? Pablo has a hard time deciding between a pan dulce and a challah. Pablo finally decides on a jalapeno bagel - a pleasant mixture of both mom and dad's cultures. Natasha Wing's heart-warming story of a mixed family simply makes the book more appealing to both parents and children. Jalapeno Bagels is a rarity among picture books as it will of tremendous interest to those who search for materials to teach kids about ethnically diverse families. The appendices provide glossary of terms in Spanish and Yiddish. What really makes me happy is that the book comes with recipe for jalapeno bagels. Robert Casilla's water-colored paintings authenticate the characters.

Jalapeno Bagels by Natasha Wing
This story is about a young boy who is asked to bring something to school for "International Day". He is asked by his teacher to bring something that reflects his culture. His mother suggests that he help out in their family bakery to aid him in making his decision. He could not decide between his mother's Mexican or his father's Jewish baked goods. To the surprise of his parents, the boy decides to take in jalapeno bagels. When his father asks him "Why jalapeno bagels?", his son replies "Because they are a mixture of both of you. Just like me."

I feel this book is very important for the classroom library because it is a wonderful portrayal of a diverse ethnic family. There is also a glossary of Spanish and Yiddish terms for children to learn and recipes from an authentic Mexican-Jewish bakery. The illustrations of bright watercolors help to enhance the richness of the story. It is well written and holds the reader's interest with new words from different languages. ... Read more

Book Description

Four reasons to cheer!

Meet the Melendys! Mona, the eldest, is thirteen. She has decided to become an actress and can recite poetry at the drop of a hat. Rush is twelve and a bit mischievous. Miranda is ten and a half. She loves dancing and painting pictures. Oliver is the youngest. At six, he is a calm and thoughful person. They all live with their father, who is a writer, and Cuffy, their beloved housekeeper, who takes on the many roles of nurse, cook, substitute mother, grandmother, and aunt.

Elizabeth Enright’s Melendy Quartet, which captures the lively adventures of a family as they move from the city to the country, are being published in new editions. Each of the books features a foreward and signature black-and-white interior illustrations by the author. Popular artist Tricia Tusa provides irresistible new cover art that will appeal to today’s readers.
... Read more

Reviews (16)

The hit of the third grade!
When I was in third grade, a classroom aide gave us the option of listening to her read out loud, or playing on the playground. Her book of choice? The Saturdays. Within the week, every child was choosing to stay in during recess and breathlessl