The Entertainer and the Dybbuk

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

Synopsis:

About the Author

What Our Readers Are Saying

Add a comment for a chance to win!

Average customer rating based on 3 comments:

dare2tri2001, July 12, 2008 (view all comments by dare2tri2001)
I read this book for a Master's class on Multi-Cultural Children's Lit. I was astounded. Over the decades I've read Night, The Hiding Place, and seen a variety of museums, movies, and newsreels on the Holocaust. But this book is an amazing mix of the horror of the Holocaust with a 12-year-old victim who becomes the hero. It does include the "possession" of a 3rd-rate ventriquilist, but at no time do you feel an "evil" anywhere in the book except in the actions and plans of the Nazis. This book is satisfying for adults and children alike. It's easy to separate the true from the adventurous fiction - and is sprinkled with humor from a "dummy" with a knife like an "icepick". He throws a drowning Nazi a rope - a Christian thing to do, The Great Freddie says. A Jewish thing, too - quips the Dybbuk - I threw him both ends.

Love this book. Amazing. Taught in conjuction with other Holocaust books, would help children feel the power they can have - even in the face of evil - even in the face of death.

I thank Mr. Fleischman for having the backbone to write this and intend to recommend it to everyone I know - kid or adult.

Michael & Matt's Mom

Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No
(1 of 4 readers found this comment helpful)

report this comment

Cathy from Olympia, Washington, December 5, 2007 (view all comments by Cathy from Olympia, Washington)
Mediocre ventriloquist "The Great Freddie" finds himself possessed by dybbuk Avrom Amos who was killed as a child by the Nazis. Freddie and Avrom become an odd but effective team, managing to work together to save Freddie's career while spreading Avrom's and other Jewish children's story of persecution and death. While this unique story is written as a children's book and would be a good introduction to the holocaust, the short tale is sophisticated enough to appeal to adults as well. I found the ending particularly satisfying!

Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No
(4 of 7 readers found this comment helpful)

report this comment

amber.pasternak, November 1, 2007 (view all comments by amber.pasternak)
Feeling burnt out on children's Holocaust literature, I decided to write my thesis on the portrayal of Judaism in YA fiction. I was determined not to read any Holocaust or WWII centered books until I finished my thesis. But last week I picked up Fleischman's book and read it cover to cover during my lunch. It is so atypical of what's out there. (I even learned some new things.) Fleischman's approach is such that the reader does not feel overwhelmed. Tragedy and comedy are expertly woven together.

Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No
(3 of 10 readers found this comment helpful)

report this comment

View all 3 comments

Product Details

ISBN:

9780061344459

Author:

Fleischman, Sid

Publisher:

Greenwillow Books

Author:

by Sid Fleischman

Subject:

People & Places - Europe

Subject:

Religious - Jewish

Subject:

Historical - Holocaust

Subject:

Jews

Subject:

Holocaust, jewish (1939-1945)

Subject:

Jewish fiction.

Subject:

Spirit possession

Subject:

Children s-Historical Fiction-Holocaust

Copyright:

2007

Edition Description:

Hardcover

Publication Date:

20070821

Binding:

Hardback

Grade Level:

from 4 to 9

Language:

English

Pages:

192

Dimensions:

6.31x5.89x.75 in. .48 lbs.

Age Level:

09-14