Synopses & Reviews
The streets are eerily empty, and everyone in the Jewish community is terrified of Peter the Hermit. His men, the Crusaders, are moving through the town on their way to the Holy Land. They have been known to batter down doors and burn Jewish houses, all in the name of religion.
and#160;This is not Nazi Germany but Troyes, France, in 1096, as seen through the eyes of funny, feisty, twelve-year-old Elvina. She is the granddaughter of the great rabbi Rashi, and she knows how to read and writeand#8212;which is very rare for a girl of her time. She draws strength from this, as well as from her guardian angel, to whom she regularly speaks.
and#160;On a cold Sabbath afternoon while Elvina is alone in the house, three soldiers pound at her door. One of them is wounded. Elvina has only a moment to make a difficult choice that could put her family and the entire community at risk. Can her guardian angel guide her and keep her safe?
and#160;My Guardian Angel is a story of compassion and tolerance that speaks clearly to readers of all faiths. Elvinaand#8217;s voice lingers long in memory, and her courage and humor long in the heart.
Review
“This impressive reference is the definitive guide to whats really worth reading for young people, from early childhood through high school.”—
Cleveland Jewish News Cleveland Jewish News
Review
“[This volume] will serve as a very valuable resource in the responsible selection of appropriate books both for home and for gift giving to family and friends.”—
The Jewish Star
The Jewish Star
Review
"Thank you, Linda and JPS, for giving writers such a valuable resource! It is a must-have for every writer of Jewish childrens books."—The Whole Megillah The Whole Megillah
Review
“A superbly informative and enjoyable gem of a book for librarians, educators, and parents needing to find that right Jewish-content book for a specific child.”—
Ottawa Jewish Bulletin Ottawa Jewish Bulletin
Review
and#8220;Readers donand#8217;t have to be Jewish to appreciate this beautifully written story and its wonderfully realized characters and fascinating setting.and#8221;and#8212;
Kirkus, starred review
and#160;
Review
and#8220;A heady plunge into medieval Europe as well as an enlightening lesson about anti-Semitism in a time period long before the Holocaust.and#8221;and#8212;Booklist
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Synopsis
Thanks to this generous donor for making the publication of this book possible: Wendy Fein Cooper.
So many books, so little time! Where do you start? With this book: Linda Silvers guide to the most notable books for young readers. Here are a top librarians picks of the best in writing, illustration, reader appeal, and authentically Jewish content in picture books, fiction and non-fiction, for early childhood through the high school years. Youll find the classics like Ktonton and the All-of-a-Kind Family books, right on to Terrible Things, Are You There God? Its Me, Margaret, and todays bestsellers, along with hundreds of others. Chapters are organized by subject and entries within each include a succinct description of the book and author, and Silvers own insights on what makes it worth reading. There are title, subject, author, and illustrator indexes, title-grouping by reading level, and lists of award winners. A wonderful reference for parents, grandparents, teachers, librarians—and, of course, the kids so dear to them.
Synopsis
A top librarian picks the best in writing, illustration, reader appeal, and authentically Jewish content in picture books, fiction, and non-fiction, for early childhood through the high school years.
About the Author
Linda R. Silver received her MLS from Case Western University and then worked for 20 years in public school and synagogue libraries as a specialist in Jewish childrens literature. She is the editor of the Jewish Valuesfinder, an online guide to values in Jewish childrens literature and co-editor of reviews of books for childrens and teens in the newsletter of the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL). Silver is a much sought-after teacher and frequent speaker throughout the U.S. Her speech topics include The History of Jewish Children's Literature; Jewish Children's Literature; Bible Stories; Stories about the Holocaust, and more.